SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER}^~M- 0 5i 5.50 SUNSET.—This Kvenine, 5.53 SUNKIBE-—To-Morrow Morniner, 5.51 MOON{S AGB.-NOW Moon, 23rd. 11.33 P.m.

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY. Southern CrO3S, B.a, Vennal, from tovuka Fingal, 8.8., NcrrU, from Mercury Bay lona. 8.5., AmodiO. from Ho dang* tfairlle, Bohooner, M o D O armia, fr°m »yQnoy

DEPARTURES.

UtST KVENINO. Gisbomo, sohoonor, Sklnnor, f?'^je ÜBKuruUB K uru Atalanta, schooner, Donovan, for WB^b Elalnore, schooner, Stephena, for Ta»rua

Hermiono. shlo. Roberta, for Napg^ 01l Savoy Kate, schooner, Lews,, ten •* Queen, sohooner, Uarraway, for auu

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

aVdney-KlDgaroomo. Toffl^riday Melbourne, vj& South-Albion, *n«gr TauranWfe'nWWlington, Monday and WhaS^and Whangarei Heads-Argrle. v^M-lona T«-«. Maneawai- FiDg&i, Thursday MCTCury Bay-ifingal, Monday

IMPORTS.

eta __ * £. Kowena is advened to leave One hunga for Waitara and Opunako OH Friday, ai 10 a in. Tne s.s. Fingal arrived &om'Mangaw^ early Mrs Q. Hogan, Miss Peak, and Mr Bennou. Theß.B.Southern Cross IbannouncedJjJaSl torLevufca and Suva on Monday next, wo *»v» loßt,, at noon. . ... Tenders are invited by Mr O. Mays, on Whig Bhe is engaged. Tho vessels comprising the Detatohed Squad ron, arrived at LevuUa on Sept ith, alter a passage ol 14 days from Brisbane. The Antares, from London for Auckland, passed Deal on July 31. Tho Coromandel. 819 tons, was on tho berth at London for Auckland on August o. The dispute between Mr C. Bailey mid the new Ferry Company's superintendent of worss has been amicably settled, and work re-corn ™ The barque Anezi, 468 tons, was loading at London for this port on Augustß. The tonnage on the berth at London on August 6th for Australia and .New Zealand amounted to 48,623 tons. Messrs StaUey Kadford and Co., «iote rates - from London to Auckland: rough measmre; ment, 355; fine, 40s; liquids", 553; weight. My cement, 53 petfeask; beer, lOd per doz., salt, 30s. The Stracathro, from London for this port passed Deal on July 29. was oft Mount's Bay on Aus3. when the pilot iwas landed and vessel proceeded; all well. The three-masted schooner Fairiie, whioh left Sydney for this port on tne 7th Au(?ußt, was " Blgnal!edaswewenttopres3. She has thefol owing passengers :-Mrs H.Keed and infant, iMrsM.Carrand son, Meesrs Templeman and , James Hiokey. i The ss. lona arrived from Hokianga, vM Kus- BeA this afternoon, with 100 Bioks gum and sev : eral packages sundries.

The schooner Coral Queen (says the Fiji "Argus"). haviDg been extrloated from the perilous position she so long ocoupied.on the. reef at Bella Levn, Taviuni, and partially renaired, arrived in harbour on Monday last •August 29) with a cargo of copra. In conse qnence of the inclement weather experienced dv- ing operations upon her, much difficulty had ■ to be overcome. . Messrs Shew, Savlll and Co.'s Antares, Oantain Alfred liOwiß, from London for AucU ' Jand, .July 30. has' the following passengers (steerage):-Charles Penny, Mrs Penny, 'lorn PeunyTChrlstiana Grant, leabolla Grant, Annie Burton, Louisa Burton. Ann BurtOD, William (i Burton, Kdward Burton. Henry Burton Isabella Murcher, Selina Murcher, Thos Wnroher. James Muroher, leabella Murober Albert Murcher. Alioa Hennessey, James Hen neater, Patrick Hennessey, Martin Hennessey John Hennessey. Thoa.- Hennessey, Margaret Hennessey, M. B. Fisher. Joseptia Fisher, Ida Fisher, J. B. Fisher, and Joseph F.sher. The Antares is consigned to Messrs Owen and Graham. The New Zealand Company's Stracathro, which left London for Auckland on July 28, has . the following passengers :-Salopn: Miss A. Maraden, Messra JohnKeid and James Steel; Alexander, Alexander J., Florence, and Alice ~ Fergusaou. Second Cabin: Miss Annie Swan- Bon: Thos. E., Julia, Charles, Julia, Frederick, and,Florence Carter. Steerage: Misses Lizzie, Lane; Ellen McCarthy; Messrs William Ward, Harry Sherriff, Thomas Meanan, Beniamin Cadwallader, Phillip Crowe, Samuel. Margaret, Jabez; and James Hulbert, Charles and Sophie Lawler, Martha, Florence, Constance, Edith, and Mary A. SqnirreU, Kirae and Hannah Hodson, Sarah, Sarah A., George and John Braithwaite, Margaret. Isabella, Mary, Anna, ; BObert H,, and Margaret Norrie.

THE BARQUE WELLINGTON.

.Nolarther particulars of the wreck ot the barque Wellington have yet reached us and % may tfot for some. time. We may, however, observe that the whole of the crew are saved. When the Wellington left our harbour on June 10th, she was in charge ot Captain Dick, and was manned as follows:—First mate, John McGillivray; second mate, Peter ! W. Lee; coofe, Wm. Cnllen; A.B.s, John Moore, John Me Alllster, John Williams, Robert Diok, John. MoCallum, John Morgan, John I. - Legz. Tha first mate shipped "to be discharged at Newcastle," and the seaman Legg made a similar arrangement. The reßt ot the crew wore liiblo to be discharged in any of the Australasian colonies at the master's option, so that while it is probable that many whoßhipped - on the vessel here, were on board at tho tima of wreckage, no certainty can be arrived at until further information comes to hand.

ARRIVAL OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS FROM LEVUKA.

•. .The s.s. Southern Cross arrived from Levuka " and Suva at an early hour this morning. She y '■ left Auckland Friday, 26th August, calling at ft ■ /Knssell, and leaving again following day, Wf- arrivinit at Lovaka on Friday, 2nd September. f-■.' a', 10 p.m., at which place she was quarantined - for 7 days owing to scarlatina being prevalent ■ at Auckland. Left Levuka for Auckland at 5 f p.m. on Tuesday, 13th September; wind light from eastward up to Thursday, when strong I easterly wind with thick rain Bet in, carrying us i on to the coast; made the land at daybreak on r Monday, bnt owing to heavy easterly gale | setting in had to head ship off the land. The i> following morning being moderate with a very I"' dense foif. stood in to the land under eaßy steam, I and lead line in use; made the land shortly after I noon, and arrived in Auokland this morning at r-v; sa.m. Passengers: Meadames Ledingham. and I-"'" two children, Morray. MoKenzie and t chii- I '■' dren, Willis, Miss Ledingham, Master Murray, I: Momva Willis, Finlaysoo, Mackenzie, JPixon, l-y :.' Oowan, Hay, and Mew.

THE LARGEST FERRY-BOAT IN THE WORLD.

- There is now plying at the month of the Sacramento, in California, a steam ferry-boat, . ' ■which is probably the largest in the world. The locality is in the Bay or Carquinez, ■whioh penetrates deeply iuto the interior, i forming a prolongation of the two .'United p'■ cays of San Paola and San Franoi«co. The »>' - steamer, which is named the Solano, carries over tralDß or the Grand Central Pacific Bail way from Benicia to Port Costa, on the most di i " - reel line from Sacramento to San , Francisco. i;i phe can carry several trains at once, without detachment of locomotives.. On the deck are i-< lour lines of railway abreaßt, and these are oap . able ot receiving 18 goods wasrons without their locomotives, or 2i passenger-cars of the Ameri . ' oan type (each supported on two jointed trucks). .The length of the deck is stated by La Nature '•- to be 129.23 metres; the width of the platform, f ■ ' 35.35 metres. The draught ot water (with load) (','"■' isabonttwo metres, and the tonnage is 3,6110. | These dimensions are considerably above those I" ' ot the railway ferry boat on the Lako of Con %:■ stance, which is the largest in Kurope (it is 70 ' metres lone by 12 metres wide). The Solano has P; two paddle-wheels 9.14 metres in diameter. j- ■"', They are independent of each other, and each | is actuated.by a vertical beam engine of 2.0C0 I * horse-power. Thesa engines are placed one I behind the other in the lonßitudinal axis of the I ''•-. ■'■:, vessel, so as to Rive, on either eide, the space I"' necessary for two lines. The veaael is Bteered I ' either way by means of four balanced rad l' ■'■'' jlere, worked by hydraulic apparatus, whioh I ia actuated by independent Bream engines. IL The system is said to work with perfect regu i larlty.—" Mitchell's Maritime Register."

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Hannah Mokau, s.s., McCarthy, from Waitara

The 8.8. Hannah Mokau arrived from Waitara . . at 315 p.m. yesterday, with 20 head cattle,'los I . sheep, and 3 packages. She was to have re i - turned thither at i p.m. to-day, but, owing to (:' the fresb southerly brefize which has been i- Mowing sinoo yesterday, she is not likely to get f j awaytullto-morrow. Thes.s. Lal!altookhwaa I -; axrpooted to be detained from the same cause. f' The as. St. Kilda would probably leave for |;,..: Greymonth at 5 o'clock this afternoon.

KAIPARA SHIPPING.

■> . .'. ' TB Komjru, this aay. VAt Kopurn: Telegraph and Kate McGregor. -At Aratapu: Mary King, East Lothian, Bs te'le. and Qszelle. m At Mangawhare: Marlon. The schooner Aratapu has sailed from the Heels. I The barque Stag shifted considerably towards :- channel, hut is not afloat.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

'*-~* ™ Tauranga, this day, v Arrived: Wellington, b.s,, from Auokland1 S ; a.m. ,;■:■■ . t; ,_. .-_.••■■ BtJ3Brax, this day. < Arrived: Kingarooma, b.b., from Auokland, 6 B.in. , ■ • ■ .. •■ .:.. .■ .... /' _ JjVTrBLTOif, this day. U Sailed: FenKuin,.s.s., for Northern ports, at 9 S p.m.ycfl'erday. * '"" Si :'i ' , „ Pobt Chalmbbs, yeßtcrday. I Paaißhah, ship, 83 days out fr Om ¥ Londoß, with 19 passengers. "-™

Mail Notice.

. Maim will Close ah Undbb.— This Day. For Thames, per Enterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Tiicrsday, 22nd instant. ForjWaltara, etc, per Lalla Hcokh, at 6 a.m. For Woiwera, Te Kapa, Craigieburn, and Warkwortb, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Mangawai, per Fingal, at 3 p.m. For Oisborne and Napier, per Oreti, at 3 p.m. For Tauranga. Ohinomutu, and Opotiki, per Wellington, at i p.m. For Tairaa, per Gem, at i p.m. For Coromandel, per Annie Milbank.at 5,30 p.m.

Friday, 23rd Instant For Thames, per Rotomabana, at I p.m. ForWaihekeand Coromandel, per Coromandel, at 1.30 p.m. For Whangarei Heads, Parua, Waipu, Whan- Rarei, Tangihua, and Mangapal, per Argyle, at i p.m. For Oisborne, Napier, Southern ports, and Australian Colonies, per Albion, at 5 p.m.

Saturday. 21th instant. For Karotonga, per Atlantic, at 2 p.m.

Monday, 26th instant For Lavuka and Suva, per Southern Cross, at 11a.m.

Tuesday, 27th Instant. For Chatham Islands, per Omaha, at 11 a.m,

Tuesday, llth Ootober. Per 8.8. City of New York, as follows :—

For Sandwich Islands, United States ot America, Canada, British Columbia. Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Knrope, at 1 p.m.

For money orders registered letters, and newspapers, at 11.30 a.m. Late letters bearing an extra fee of sixpence, in addition to the postage, will be roooivod by the Mall Agent on board the steamer up to tho time ot sailing. s. B. Bias. Chief Postmaster. Chief Post-office. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

, 3 September 21,1881. Theatre Koyal—" Patohwork," 8 p.m.' Otahulm Cricket Club Meetlng-Orltorlon Hotel, 7.30 p.m. Whan Cricket Club—Annual Meeting In public hall, 7.30 p.m. Romuora Hall- Concert, 8 p.m. Working Men's Club—Half-yearly Meeting of the United Briofalayers' Labourers' Society, 7.30 p.m.

Death.

WHITE.—At Talrua, William White; aged 36 years.

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

WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 21,1831.

For the cause that lacks aisliUnce, For the wrong: that needs resisUnc Foi the future in the distance. And the good that we can do,

The Government after ruthlessly throwing overboard one important measure after another, and by forcing important bills pell-mell through the House when members were exhausted with long sittings, have brought the business to a point when prorogation is possible. The session. is neariug its close, but will end ignominiously by bringing to naught measures on which a large amount >. of time lias been spent. Much important legislation, including matters which have been presseden the notice of Parliament year after year, have gone to the wall. Among these is the "Fisheries Bill" which was dropped by the Government last night. A very comprehensive measure, providing for the better management of our fisheries, and affording protection for fish, native and ac climatised, had been passed through the Legislative Council. It embodied many valuable provisions taken from the law now in force in Victoria. This bill with many others equally necessary, has been sacrificed simply because members will not remain long enough in Wellington to pass them. The Government cannot be con gratulated upon its management of the House. It overloaded the Order Paper with trifling work in the beginning, holding back the most important measures till the last days ot the session. This may be good political tactics, but it is not statesman ship, The bills on which it based its policy, as enunciated in the opening speech, have mostly dropped through. The fact is that every session the House attempts a great deal too much to do it well. The business put before it should be more select, better digested, and more compre hensive. The energies of the House would then be conserved, and it would not only turn out more work, bat mach better work than the hasty, ill-considered statutes which yearly come out of the legislative mill, to yield in the future a perfect harvest to the legal profession.

PRESIDENT GARFIELD.

OUB cablegrams to-day announce the melancholy intelligence that General James Garfield, President of the United States, has succumbed to the Wounds inflicted by the assassin Guiteau in the streets of Wash. ington on 2nd of July last. Ever since the fatal day the whole of the American nation —and indeed people in all parts of the civilised world—have been suspended be tween hope and fear as the President's chances of recovery increased or dimin ished. The Great Reaper has gained the day, and another wayfarer has crossed the bourne from whence no traveller returns. During the awful period of suspense, the expressions of sympathy which have been flashed to America's capital from England, France, and other Transatlantic nations, roust have been con soling to the relations of the wounded statesmen, and to the people of the United States; and now that the curtain has been rung down on the last act of the tragic drama of real life, it but remains for us to mingle our tears with those of our brethren. • The roll of the Presidents of America is a blight one ; and no more illustrious name occurs on it than that of James Garfield. The wonderful story of bis life, and the

noble cheerfulness and resignation ho ex hibited while waiting for thb end, prove this. Let us take n brief glance at a few of the occurrences <6f his eventful career. He was born in the State of Uhio, in 1831, o£ poor parents, and had the additional disad vantage of losing his father when still a child. Garfield mere, left with a largo family of young children, was (tuite equal to the exigencies of her condition, and, to her credit, it is related that she fenced and tilled her little farm with her <nvn hands. Her nights she devoted to instructing her children in the rudiments of learning, and no member of tho little flock was quicker than James. S6 great was the good, woman's poverty that the future Ruler of America, did not wear boots till ho was five ycQi's old, when ho had a pair presented to him. by an older brother who was working in tto neighbourhood. As the_ lad grew older ho found employment in driving canal horses, never 'neglecting to turn to his beloved books on every opportunity. Ho studied so resolutely that before ho was out of his teens he had qualified himself to act ' as a school-teacher, and was eventually enabled to proceed to Williams' College, Massachusetts, to complete his education.! He graduates! at the aco of 25, antl still ascending the ladder ot scholastic fame, he. became a Professor ih'the University ot his native State, and President of the Eclectic Institute of Hiram. He found time to study and practice law, and became known ns a politician in Ohio. On tho ontbreak of tho great struggle between the North and South, which threatened to disintegrate the union, Gar field took up arras in the cause of freedom, and was present at many hard-contested battles as Colonel of the 42nd Ohio Volun teers. Hisintrepidityaadgeneraladaptibility speedily made him a name in the profession of arms, and at tho battle of Shiloh we find himcommandiup a brigade. Promotion followed promotion in rapid succession, and in 1863, after tho bloody contest at Chickamauga, he was made Major- General.

When the piping times of peace again gladdened the land, Garfield was returned to Congress for Ohio, and since then has had a voice in the councils of the nation. Though a Republican to tho backbone, he was a roan of moderate views, and was esteemed by members of both parties for his remarkable fairness when occupying the position of Chairman. Ho was twice elected Speaker of the House of Repre sentatives. At the last Presidential election the Republican party was threatened with a serious split. A large section were iv favor of cx-Presidont Grant; others sup ported Blame, the present Secre tary of State, while a powerful section strongly urged tho claims of Secretary Sherman. The adherents of both the latter candidates were greatly against Grant being elected for n third term, and finding that he was certain to be tbo Republican nominee unless they withdrew their men, a compromise in favor of Garfield was effected. Tho combination resulted iv the defeat of Grant at the Convention, who then retired, and the Republican hopes became centred in General Garfield, who was elected by a considerable inajoiily over General Han cock, the Democratic candidate, on the 2nd November, 18S0. It is worthy of mention that Garfield's mother, who had struggled so nobly for her family, was the first American mother who lived to sco her son installed in the Presid mar, GarGeid was much attached to her. Iv 18S0 General Garfield was elected by the Legislature of Ohio to succcd Senator Thur man in the United States Senate, but he did not take his seat, having by that time been nominated to the Presidency. Since his occupancy of tho Whito House, his clear-headed policy has been frequently the subject of favourable criti> cism, and but for his untimely death, ho would undoubtedly have dealt a severe blow to that cause of corruption in Ameri can politics—tho dismissal of all Civil Servants after the election of President, to make room for the supporters of the sue cessfu candidates.

The late President was a teetotaller, and a consistent member of the Christian Brethren denomination. It is a curious co incidence that the two Presidents of America who have met their deaths by the hands of the assassin were both men who had raised themselves from the lowest ranks of society. The illustrious - Abraham Lincoln, so foully murdered sixteen years ago, began life as a rail splitter, and by energy and integrity, attained the most honourable position in tho gift of his country. The biographies of these two men teach many good moral lessons, and illus trate the curious chances which present themselves to men of the right stamp in the seething turmoil of American politics. Garfield, tho self-made man, Garfield the patriot, Garfield the politician, and Garfield the dying man, are each and all studies for the moralist, and worthy of imitation and emulation by men of every grade. Peace to his ashes.

The news of President Garfield's death though by no means unexpected, produced a profound sensation in the city, and has been tho principal topic of conversation to day. A |feeling of deep and unaffected sorrow has been prevalent, and has had its outward manifestation in a general lower ing of flags halfmast. From the flagstaff of nearly every commercial house in Queen-street this symbol of mourning has been displayed, and in the case of several Amorican firms, notably, Oppenheimer and Co.. the premises were closed and business entirely suspended. The sentiment has not been conSnod to this part of the colony. This morning the Premier from his place in the House of Representatives made fitting allusion to the President's demise and early this afternoon Mr Grifiin, the United States Consul, received the following telegram from the Mayor of 'Wellington: "Tho Mayor of Wellington, in tho name and behalf of the Cjty Council and inhabitants, is desirous of joining in what must bo the universal sentiments of sorrow, sympathy and condolence with the Government and citizens of the United States in the lamented death of their noble President.—William Hutchinson, Mayor."

The preliminary meeting of creditors in the estate of Thomas £dmund Evans,grocer of Drake-street, took place to-day, when Mr L. D. Nathan was elected trustee. The deb tor states his assets at £167 4s and his lia bilities at £288 13s, thus leaving a debit balance of £121 9s.

Mr Pearse wishes us to say in correction of our report of his testimony at the coroner's inquiry on Mr William Whito, found dead at Tairoa, that he did not state that the deceased was not drunk when he left the vessel. Nor is it true that the natives watched over him.

The extraordinary meeting of the share holders of the Red Queen G.M. Co., which was called for this afternoon in order to consider the position of the Company, flapsed or want of a quorum.

The Registrar of dogs, notifies that a large number of dogs have been empound ed, and will be slaughtered unless redeemed before Friday,

At the inquest on tho body of John Smith, who died suddenly on board of the Hermione on Monday last, the jury re turned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes,"

Quite inadvertently tho name of Mr Barker was omitted from our report of the sacred concert iv the Beresford-strect Church on Monday evening. He sang the recitative and solo, "If with all your Hearts " (" Elijah "), with studied care and in an effective manuer.

At the weekly meeting of the Ponsonby Mutual Improvement Society held last evening, readings and recitations were given by Messrs Hall, Pudan, Haszard, Burrow, Hewlett (2), McKaig, and Lusher, On next Tuesday impromptu speaking will take place. These meetings are held in All Saint's School-room every Tuesday evening at 7.30 o'clock, and as the current session is drawing to a close, members intending to join are respectfully requested to do so as early as convenient.

An amusing occurrence happened a few days ago, in which two telegraph officials were the principal actors. These young gentlemen had been " putting an enemy into their months to steal away their brains," or, to put it more plainly, had been partaking rather freely of the mountain dew manufactured by Kinahan. They resided in an aristocratic suburb, and each suddenly arrived at the con clusion that his friend was intoxicated, they kindiy offered to escort each other home. A cab was called and the journey started. The jolting no doubt sobered the youthful electricians, for very soon they each began to mutate who would pay the hire. Silently they turned the matter over in their minds, and wonderful to relate, they both decided on the same plan of action, viz., to slip unobserved out of the cab and leave the friend to arrange with cabby. They disappeared out of separate doors, each laughing at the thought how surprised the other would be when P. was reached. These young men are now limping painfully about with damaged kneecaps, and scarred faces, and the Jehu has just completed a successful negotiation with both of them,

The contractors for the erection of offices on the Queen-street Wharf have the whole of tho outer framing in position. Tho weather boarding is finished, and the roof ing covered in.

We learn that Mr Harvey ll^ys Graham. do long advertised for, is in Auckland, and has placed his aftaira in the hands of Mr E. Heskoth. , .■,,,., Messrs Marshall and Mercer, the con tractors for the erection of a wharf at Northcote, are making satisfactory progress with their work. They havo already twenty piles fixed, and 128 lineal feet of the top framing finished. . A Calcutta sweep on the Cambridge Cup tobk place at tho Occidental Hotel last evening, thirty-ono members at 10a each. The following prices were realised :— Gilderoy, £1 15s; Rocket, £115a; Grand Duchess, £5; Maori, £2 10s; Redeemer, £1 12s 6d; Kciwaneta, £2 10a; Stanley, £183.

A Baden telegram of August 20th says : —" It is said a scheme has been submitted to tho German government, providing that Alsace be united with Baden, and in con junction with that the Grand Duchy_ be erected into tho now kingdom of tho Rhine, Lorraine to be united with the Prussian province of Rhiueland, and become a Dart of the Kingdom of Prussia. The Grand Duke of Baden expects to bo tho first sovereign of tho new kingdom."

As was stated in our last evening's issue, the Harbour Board has nccepted Messrs Hunt and White's tender of £4,536, for re clamation work in connection with the new dock at Cnlliopo Point. This contract is only a small portion of the whole work, and it has been let with the object of having a real start made. It consists of filling iv about an acre of tho foreshore on _ each sido of tho dock site and facing with scoria. Further filling in work will be required when the dock itself is commenced.

In consequence of a bereavement, the loss of a eon, ia tlie family of one oE the active members of tho Good Samaritan Lodgo of Good Templars, the annual entertainment will not take place until' Tuesday, the 3rd of October, in the large hall, of the Young Men's Christian Association.

Captain Welsh, of Sebastopol Villa, Lake district, sends us a letter on his staple grievance ot •frandering^ cattle, Ho wishes tocorroct a misreport in the "Herald" by which he was made to appear as defendant in a case ha brought against Mr Davies, a cow-keeper of the Lake district. He also asserts that tho ownership of tho cow was admitted. The subject was not of sufficient, public interest to warrant the large claims' which tho publication of tlie letter in full would make upon our space.

We were yesterday shown by a gentle man from Coromandel a specimen of argen tiferous ore taken from a lode in the vicinity of the Tiki. The specimen was exceedingly heavy, and wan undoubtedly rich in a variety of minerals. The finder had a Earcel from the lode tested, when it was mm! to contain 40 per cent of lead, 30 ounces of silver, and half an ounce of gold to the ton. The locality is at present, for various reasons, kept secret, but we are assured that in a week or two tho public will know all about it. Mr Hunt, well kuown as tho principal owner of the cele brated Hunt's claim at the Thames, has an interest in the discovery.

A Service of Song, " The Storm ot Life," was given last nigtit in the Franklin Road Primitive Methodist Chapel, and was fairly attended. The reader of tho narrative was tho Rev. Jamo3 Guy, the minister, whose clear rendering of the interesting passages made the pathetic story of a woman's struggles very apparent to his hearers, We understand that this service has not been given previously in Auckland. The con necting hymns were sung by the choir, under the direction of Mr Thomas Booth ; Mies Booth presiding at tho harmonium with recognised ability. The choir had the advantage of studied practices, which gave a liuiehed tone to the singing, and conduced to harmony aud agreeable effect. The fervico was given in aid of the parsonage fund.

There was a good attendance at the Theatre Royal last evening, and "An Hour in Seville " was successfully repeated. Miss Tulloch's character acting and songs, met with applause, and several were encored. Tho Misses Leon and Lyons contributed to the succesj of the " Hour in Seville," also Messrs Parlato and Farron. A number of light and amusing specialities followed, in which Mies Amy Horton appeared to advan tage. Mr Farron and Miss Emily Fox sang several lively ballads, and the Wyburds amused the audience with their skating ex periments. The whole concluded with the musical burlotta entitled " Hash," which was favourably received. The . Pleasure Party will givo the well-known piece called "Patchwork" this evening in connection with skating act, and a series of new sketches and specialities,

At Lord Colin Campbell's marriage to Miss Blood, the six bridesmaids were the Ladies Mary and Constance Campbell, sisters of the bridegroom, Miss Zarita Shaw,Miß3 Violet Fitzwygram, Misa Violet Miles and Miss Evenlda Creyke. The bride wore a dress of white crepe de chine, the bodice and train being of satin brocade, trimmed with fine old Brussels lace, and from a small wreath of natural orange flowers and myrtle flowed a largo tulle veil, Her jewels comprised a necklace pendant, and bracelets of diamonds, diamond and solitaire earrings, and diamond and catseye and opal brooch.

The contractor for the construction of the three silt punts is progressing steadily with his work. The large punt ha* been com pleted and handed over, and the second will bo finished in a few days, while the third is in a forward state. On Friday last the new dredgo ceased working, and the dredger has been removed from the old silt punt and erected on tho new punt. It will be ready for work, again in a few days. Wo may state that since the now Priest man's dredge commenced working, on tho 20th of June last, 184 punt loads, equal to 7,176 cubic yards or 8,970 tons oE mud and silt have been raised and deposited on the reclamation to the eastward of the Cjueen street Wharf, now being formed by the General Government.

The ordinary inspection of the Auckland battalion ot volunteers was held last evening in the drill-shed, by Major Withers, in specting and commanding officer ; Major I jerrom being in command of the battalion, Thnre -was a, good muster of the Victoria Company, who deserve praise for regular attendance. The Hobson and No. 3 Com panies were well represented, tho Hobson Company numbering 52 of all ranks ; but, despite the exertions of Captain Birnie, the Scottish were barely represented. At the close of the inspection, which was satis factory, tho Companies marched through several of the principal streets headed by the Hobson's excellent band, playing a series of lively airs to tho delight of hun dreds of listeners.

The annual meeting of the West End Cricket Club was held (as announced) in the business room of the V.M.C.A. . Mr D. Lynch occupied the chair, and, having made a few remarks on the progress and satisfactory state of the club, called upon the secretary, Mr Frank Mitchell, who read a carefully drawu-up' report, which, being of a pleasing character, was unani mously adopted. The following gentlemen were elected to office for the coming season : President, Mr F. Battley ; vice presidents, Messrs N. Heath aud T, Macky, sen.; seoretary, P. Sutler; treasurer, T. Macky; secretary (Second Eleven), R. Woods j committee, Messrs R. Mason, C. B. King, W. Baker, J. Arneil, and C. Choyce. The following new members wore enrolled : Messrs J. Anscnne, Creeks, Wai ker, Whiteside, Fisher, Norrie, Brown (3), and A. J. Mcars. A resolution was passed to the effect that the club join the Cricket Association, and the secretary was chosen delegate. It was also resolved to commence tho season on the Bth October, with a colt match. Votes of thanks to the chairman and outgoing officers terminated the meet ing.

The London and Lancashire Fire Insur ance Co. has decided to re-establish an agency in Auckland, and Mr H. TV. Heath has therefore been appointed agent. The selection is a good one, for Mr Heath has had large experience .of insurance matters, and he is besides well-known and generally respected. In his former capacity of manager of the North Shore Ferry Company, he gave every satisfaction to his principals and won the public esteem by his affability and courtesy. Of late the London and Lancashire Co. has been vigor ously extending its foreign business, and by the absorption of come very respectable American Fire Offices it has secured a foot hold in the United States, from which it will not be dislodged. In the colonies it is coming iuto great favour,and the setting up of a branch in this city is but a necessary consequence of the enterprise which the directors are now displaying.. Its fire premium income for 1880 amounted to £425,355, being an increase of £175,661 in two years, while its. reserve fund for fire losses only (quite irrespective of the capital) foots up to £253,729. And yet it has paid away in satisfaction of claims during the last 19 years no less a sum than £2,098,368,

To the Editor: Sir, —I £acl a few words are required from me in reference to the Ittttor which appeared ir», last night's STAR Signed H. Bafton. In the first place, the jo.cal contained in your esteemed journal, to the effect that I supplied the now notorious sparrow-traps six or eight years ago, is per fectly., correct', and any person who feels curious concerning the.statement, may be satisfied of its accuracy on visiting my shop in Queen-street, where one of the mysterious articles above referred to has been lying for the past two months, and may be inspected. With regard to the other part of the letter, I may state that it is pretty well-known I would not deign to hold any communication whatever withtha author of lust night's effusion.—By publish ing the above you will oblige yours, etc., T. Cole, Basket-maker, Queen-street.— [Further correspondence on this subject must pass through our advertising columns. —KD. E S.]

The illness of President Garfield brought about some curious episodes: A Washing, ton telegram of August 19th thus describes the advent of one adventurous female who felt she had a mission to cure him :— " Another 'crank' appeared at the White House this morning about seven o'clock. She was a handsome woman, young look ing, and gave her name as Mary Louise Reminder, of Brooklyn, New York. She says her father and mother live at 554, Broadway, Brooklyn. She stated that she has come from Paris es pecially to cure the President; that sho left Paris forty days ago, and must see the President before nine o'clock, as she could cure him immediately. She sat down on the coping of the iron fence around the White House near the gate, and when a crowd surrounded her, a policeman ordorcd her away. She quickly re plied that she wasn't doing any harm, and the officer had better order the crowd away. When she was told she could not enter the gate, she gave a small locket, very badly mashed, to a gentleman standing near, and asked him to carry it to tho Ficaident at once; that|he would recognise it and order her instant admission to his bedside. The police took her to headquartors, from whence she was sent to the Government insane asylum, While at headquarters it was ascertained that she was pe culiarly dressed' about the waist. She bad on the upper part of a bathing suit, which she said she got at Manhat tan beach several days ago. She took off a fancy made skirt, and then it was Been by tho oiiiccra that she had on the costume of a ballet-dancer or variety actress, with silk stockings and fancy slip pers. She says she is married, and that her. husband is foreman of Fire Company 17, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It is be lieved sho is a variety actress. She was not at all violent.

A musical, literary, and recitative cuter talnment will be given to-morrow evening in tho Newton West school, of which sohool Mr John Edwards is headmaster. The objects of the entertainment, for whioh a good programme has been provided, are the amusement and ploasure of tlie cbUdren and parents, the exer ciss of their abilities In several direotions, and by tho proceeds to provide muslo for the use of the school.

G. W, Binney and Co. call attention to the rale ot town property, and also of 2 one-acre blocks situated at Onehnnga, whioh takea place to-morrow at 11 o'clook as advertised, and that the latter are not withdrawn from sale.

DEATH OF PRESIDENT GAR FIELD.

[REBTEH'S TELEGRAMS.]

WASHINGTON,

September 19, evening. PitKSIDENT GAUFIKLU died to-day at Long Branch after long and painful suffering.

WAS BINGTON, September 20. THB PRESIDENT'S LAST MUMENTS.

Accounts to hand this morning from Long JJrauch state that the President died calmly at 10.30 last night. At 10.25 ho was sleeping quietly, when he awoke with a piin in his heart, and in fifteen minutes breathed his last. Mrs Garfield was pre; sent at the death-bed.

In consequence of President Garfield's de> cease, the Cabinet has summoned Genoial Chester Arthur, Vice-President, to fill the Presidency for the unexpired term, nearly three years and six months.

THE TROUBLE ON THE PLAINS.

The Latest Maori Move.

(BY TKLEaRAPH.—OWN COERKSPONDKNT.)

PUNGAREHU, this day. Is addition to the large body of adult natives who went to fence this morning, 150 very small boys marched down, headed by a very tall man. These are called " Tarikarika," or small birds. Many women accompanied the fencers, and twenty native troopers scour the neigh* bourhood. Should these latter fall in with one or two mounted A.C., they follow after them, reviling them. Mr Puma is ex pected here to-day.

SCINTILLATIONS.

" He brief, tor it is with words as with suu beams; tne more they are oondousod the deeper hey burn."—Souths?.

Mashera —Brewers. Bad tuy-words—" Charge it to me." A gun has no feet, yet it can kick. Every dog has its day; every cat its night. A black eye is now fashionably termed a "polka dot." Revised axiom—To err is human, to for give unusual. ' No woman ever looks at a fine large news paper without thinking what a beautiful polonaise pattern it would make. "Ko, sir," said he,. "I never beat my wife. When I think she needs to suffer physical pain I persuade her to try to drive a nail." " See here, waiter," said Cauliflower, pushing away his egg-cup with disgust, " I, don't want to count chickens before they are hatched," There is no poetry ia the light fantastic toe that wears a corn. Where is the individual who caught the fish with baited breath? Perspiration relieves the liver. Remember { that in the heat of debate. "Many students bum midnight oil, but < do very little midnight toil." The pleasantest way to go to a picnic is to oversleep and miss the train. The San Francisco mail was delivered by the Hawca on Monday night at Wolling ton; on Tuesday morning at Lyttelton; and early tho next morning at Dunedin. This is the fastest time on record. What will the direct steam people say to a 41 days mail delivery ? Professor Anderson, the wizard, had his gift business stopped by the authorities in Brisbane,, since which he has done badly. Mr John Ross (recently of Guthrie and Larnach's) has been appointed supervisor of the Sash and Door Company's mills and bashes, and Mr Murdoch, formerly Auck land manager of Guthrie and Larnach's, succeeds Mr E. Waymouth. It is reported that Mr Herbert, yard manager of tho Sash and Door Company, has resigned. That was a very pretty compliment which the negro paid to a boautiful young lady whom he lilted across the gutter. She eaid, " Sam, lam afraid lam too heavy/ "Oh no, miss," was the gallant reply, "You know I'se lifted barrels of sugar nil my life." Mr Tennyson, who has reaped profit from " The Cup"—whioh does not inebriate—is much pleased, but objected to being " cut down," till Mr Irving said, "We have to cut down Shakspeare, you know."

- The expedition of the American Board to Bihe, Central Africa, has reached Ballttnda about 200 miles from the coast, and re ceived a cordial welcome from the Kins.'.

A servant girl, named Cissie Wormald, has been committed for trial at Maryborough, Queensland, ior murdering the eldest son of Mr Bamett, ot Clifton station, Queens land, > ■

At a Calcutta sweep on the Cambridge Cup, drawn at the Exchange Hotel last evening, the following prices were realised : -Grand Duchess, £9 ; Maori, £3 15s ; Rocket, £3 10s ; Rawenata, £2 15s ; Gilderoy, £2; Redeemer, £1 10s; Stanley, £1.

A company of settlers, in naming their new town, called it Dictionary, because, as they said, "that's the only place where peace, prosperity, and happiness are always found." *

Taw hiao's meeting at Hikurangi was to begin to-day. A great many natives are expected to be present. The yearly meeting of Friends in Eng land reports 14,981 members, a gain in the past year of 106. The rapid decline of the past half-centnry stopped a few years ago, and now a small annual increase is re potted,

CABLEGRAMS.

IKEUTER'S TELEGRAMS.J

LIBERATION OF PRISONERS REFUSED.

LONDON, September 19,

The Right Hon. W. E. Forster, Chief Secretary for Ireland, has refused to grant a general liberation ot prisoners who are de tained in custody under the provisions of the Irish Coercion Act.

ANGLO-FRENCH TKBATY. :

PARIS, September 19.

Negotiations on the subject of the Anglo- French Commercial Treaties commenced here to-day. M. Tirard, the French Minis ter of Commerce, expressed himself in cor dial terms towards England, and is hopeful that a satitfactory understanding would be arrived at. Sir Uharlcs Dilke, Under secretary for Foreign Affairs, in reply, fully endoraed the expressions of M. Tirard.

THE ORIENT'S FROZEN MEAT.

SUEZ, September 19.

The Orient Company's steamship Orient, which left Melbourne on August 22, arrived here to-day. Her cargo of frozen meat is reported to be in excellent condition.

AUSTRALIAN.

THE RAILWAY COLLISION. MELBOURNF, September 20. An inquiry into the Jelimont railway accident has resulted in finding that tho same was duo to tho dangerous condition of the tire of the wheel. The Court further found that the management of the Hobson's Bay Railway was very lax, but could not fix upon any individual the responsibility. SMALL-POX IN VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, September 20. A case of what is belioved to be small-pox is reported from Yackandandah, in the north-east of this colony. The symptoms so far are mild.

THE MELBOURNE CUP. MELBOURNE, September 20. Ihe Duchess filly (sst. 71bs.) is now first favourite for the Melbourne Cup, at 10 to 1.

SUPREME COURT.—This day.

IN BANCO.

(Before His Honor Mr Justice Gillies.)

Re Arthur Gillakd, Farmer, Papa toitoi, a debtor.—Application for discharge. The matter had been several times post poned on account of the debtor's absence. He now appeared, and Mr E. Cooper in making the application said that his client bad been prevented by illness from attend ing sooner. The proceedings had been quite regular, and as there was no opposi tion the bankrupt was granted bis dis charge. Re Matthev Joseph Fbeejian, a debtor.—Application for discharge. Mr A. £. Whitakcr made the application in this case, under the 182 nd section of the Act. His Honor said this was one of those cases for which the Act was intended to provide relief.—The necessary papers were in order and the discharge was granted. Re G. E. Read's Estate. — Applica* tion by Mrs J. S. Macfarlane for commission as executrix of her hus band, who ivaa an executor under tlu •vill of the late Capt, Read of Poverty Bay.—Mr E. Hcokoth appeared in support of the petition, =Mr A. iS. Whitaker with Mr Tho Jias Cotter, for the residuary legatee under the will, and a trustee (Mr J. F. Clark), and Mr W. Coleraan for himself, as one of the trustees.—Mr Whitaker. an. nounced that no notice had been served upon his clients of the intended action, and they had only heard ot it that morning.— His Honour thought that before the peti tion could be made, the Court should have been asked to direct whether any and what parties were to be served with notice.— Mr Hesketh replied that this was the first application of the kind which had come before the Court, and there was therefore no local precedent to refer to, bnt in Victoria the practice was that such applica tions were regarded as ex parte, and he had followed the procedure adopted there.— , His Honour said that he could not accept this practice. An application of this sort was clearly not ex parts, and could not therefore be made without due notice to all parties. After some further discussion the matter was adjourned to Chambers, and in the meantime His Honour undertook to examine the authorities relied upon by the learned Counsel.—The Court then rose.

INTERCOLONIAL WEATHER EXCHANGE.

SYDNEY, Tuesday evening.

A steep depression still S.E. of Tasmania and deepening, and a second moderate depression between Portland and King George's Sound. Prevailing westerly winds with ruin. At Sydney too. Barometer: Portland, 29*6; Hobart, 293; Gabo, 297; Sydney, 29.8.

POLICE COURT-This day.

(Before Messrs Yon der Heyde and Coa

grave, Justices of the Peace.) Drunksnnkss.—John Boss and Simon Har ness were fined fis oaoh, and James Dow 10s, with coats.

A Woman's Ire.—Maria Smith was charged with violently assaulting Carl Smith, by girtng him a black eye and threatening to bring him down with an axo.—Prisonor, a, woman of rospectable appearanoe, pleaded aot guilty.— Sergeant Gamble introduced the oase.—Carl Smith, or Schmidt, deposed that prisoner was his wire. Yesterday morning, she called at bis workshop and struck him seve ral blows on the head and body; her conduct was bo violent that he was compelled to get assistance to put her out. On reaching home she oamo to the door, and threatening to kill him, Bplit the door with an axe, and then aimed a heavy blow at his head; fortunately he dodged and missed the blow, or he would have been a dead man; he went out for Batety, and she ran after him with the axe: Bhe was a dangerous woman, and he was afraid of his life. — Mrs Smith Bald her husband deserted her and her tix children in Fiji; sho did not know where to find him; she had been married to Smith six years. — Mr Smith said his wife was too fond of drink.—Sergeant Gamble said on one occasion the police had to deal with prisoner when overcharged with drink. He enquired about her oCa tradesman, and found that sho lived with her husband in the neighbourhood, and he assisted her home.—• Tho Bench spoke to prisoner on the folly ot her conduct, and orderd hor to find sureties to keep the peaoe for one year. Amount not named.

Sib Joseph. K.C.B,—Joseph Porter was brought np on warrant, obarged with commit ting an unprovoked assault upon Ellen Vinoent, by assisting to pull her oat ot bod at 2.45 on the morning ot the 18th inst.—Prisoner pleaded not guilty,—Serjeant Gamble related the ciicam- Btanoes, which were the same as those in the oaaa of Pollock —The prosecutrlx being unable to Identify Porter as the young man who who assisted Pollock in polling her ont ot bed, the bench dismissed the oase.

Charge of Indecent Assault.—Thomas Goodaore. alias Poole, on warrant, was charged with indecently assaulting a little girl under 11 years of age, named Jane Annie Hodson, on the Bth instant.—On the application of sergeant Gamble, th<B case was remanded until Friday, prisoner being allowed bail, himself in £50, and two Bart ties, in £23 each, Otf th« Footpath. — William Whewell, appeared to answer a charge of riding on the footpath in Kyb9r Pass Road, on the 3rd inst.— Defendant, a young man of six feet high, said it waa a case of necessity: he rode on the footpath to avoid stumbling over a load of sooria.—Fined Is and costs.

Abkl's liinoo.—Abel Fletcher was oharged on summons with usingobaoene language in Kyber Pass Road on the 16th inst.—Defendant wished the oase to be remanded until Friday for the ap poaranoe of his solicitor.—Sergeant Gamble said if absolutely necessary he would not object, but the witnesses were present.—The Bench, said defendant must find sureties, himself in £20 and two others in £10 Defendant: Bat I'm an innocent man. Can't find sureties. Send for my toi and Rlleyl—lt was finally determined to go on with the case.— Thomas Taylor deposed that he was a basket maker, and unfortunately, he 11 red next door to the defendant.—Witness then gave an account of the terrible oonduot of Fletoher, who wai a perfect pest to the neighbourhood, and when defendant's wife was not in the way, he seemed Irritated, because he could not wretk hia i vengeance upon her, and then he would com mence to annoy the neighbours; his language was of the lowest and moat terrible description, (words pat in). Fletcher was nnder the influence of drink.—Jamea Baaten, coaohbailder, corrobo rated. Be heard Fletcher's .language; was awful, and a common thing. — Defendant addressed the Bench at some length, and con tended ho was treated unfairly in, being so suddenly arrested without having a chance of procuring witnesses to speak to the well-known respectability of his character. The witnesses, however, who were.prepared to testify against prisoner were numerous. His friends were invisible.—Fined £5 and costs, or one month's imprisonment with hard labour. This was all the business.

THE LATE COLLISION.

I <To the Editor). J Sib, —As regards the collision between the Tainui and the Knterprise, it ia simply this: The Tainui left the North Shore Wharf at 9 40 stern first, and steamed across in the same position. When nearing the wharf, I heard the command to "flow" and "stop her." Presently after, I heard " astern," as I took it to be, and she was kept astern until the captain put his head to the side door of the engine-room and said she was goinfc astern instead of going ahead. I im mediately reversed iho engines to go ahead. I am under the impression that had the captain stood by the telegraph pipe, instead of shifting his position on the steamer, there would have bien no collision at all, as there was a Rood head of steam on at the time to bay» checked her. It was a very easy matter on tins occasion for the captain to have made a mistake in giving: his orders, as the steamer Tainui is the reverse to the other steamers running on the ferry. It was an exceptional case, having little or no steam on to come across with, there would have have been steam onough had we left at 10 instead cf 9.10. Steam was not up at the earlier hour, as I was under the impression tbat the Tainui was the 10 o'clock boat.—l am. &c.

a. B. Bats, Hngujeen North Shore, September 21,1881,

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM OUE SPECIAL EEPOKTEE.)

WELLINGTON, this day. PETITION OF COLONEL FRASER. The Petitions Committee having considered the petition of Wm. Fraser, of Taiaru, who prays for an. enquiry into the cause of his resignation ~of Warden, decline to make any recommendation. ; , A, PUKEKOHE PETITION. The petition of Bridget Burgess, of Pukekohe, who prays for a Crown Grant for the land she resides on, has been re ferred to the Government for enquiry. OSTRICH FARMING. Sir G. Grey has handed in the following extract of a letter from H. W. Ogilvie, of Auckland, re the subject of ostrich'farm ing, which Sir Gearge has recently brought under the notice of the House :—" About twelve months ago, I purposed myself going to the Cape and introducing ostriches into this colony, but was laughed at. From my experience, I think the North Island and many of the Islands on. this coast well suited for birds, more particularly the Chatham hies. The latter are quite as good as the Cape itself. 1 tliink that you may lay claim indirectly to beingthe introducer of the domesticated ostrich into Africa, as you remember some 21 years ago you had two tame ones in the grounds ot Government House at Cape Town. This example induced the late Sir Walter Currie to have some in his park at Watlands, Grahamstown. He plucked them on one occasion but the leathers of prime quality only realised £6. This was owing to tho birds breeding and hatching;. AMr Douglas then took them over and invented an incubator, hatching all the eggs and plucking only young birds from six months up to four years. AMr Akerstone, near Grahamstown, makes £600 yearly from one pair of breeding birds, This, of course, is an exception, but I may state that if ostrich feathers decreased in value 40 per cent, they would pay better than any other industry. At the Cape the average sales in Port Elizabeth alone are £50,000 monthly. SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS. JNine more innocents were slaughtered at midnight. This reduces the order paper very considerably, leaving only the financial bills, Railway Authorisation and Native measures and Special Powers and Contracts Bill to be disposed of by the Government. There are a nnmbcr ot private measures left, but they will probably be slaughtered in a body to-morrow, The House was in committee all night on the Customs Duties Bill, which has met with very considerable support. THE NATIVE QUESTION. The native question is still agitatiug the minds of the people here. The " Times "of yesterday morning goes in for bloodletting. It concludes an article on the subject thus : " The Maoris must be given to' understand in plain terms that their obstruction will be no longer tolerated. If they persist in the idiotic stonewalling proceedings urged by Te .Whiti, they must be made to feel the grip of the iron hand. This is what the Government ought to be prepared for. Hitherto the latter has persistently held out the olive branch of peace. An excess of forbearance has been manifested, but it, in spite of all this, the Maoris push matters to extremities, a blunder of the worst kind will be perpetrated if they are ever allowed the opportunity of doing bo again. Retribu tion must be sharp and thorough—its crown ing act the passing of a ploughshare through the settlement at Parihaka, and the immola tion of the false prophet and his high priests. We do hope that before the session closes Parliament will strengthen the hands of Ministers by giving a decided expression of opinion in this direction. Any exhibition of p) ilo-Maorism at the present junction would be entirely out of place." The "Post' 1 on the other hand, while admitting that the situation is one to cause some anxiety, deprecates the inflammatory tone adopted by the "Times." It says, !'Surely such wild and hysterical language as this, read and understood, as it is certain to be, by the Maoris, is pre-eminently cal culated to bring about the very conflict which it is so all-important to avert. We deeply regret that such foolish talk should have been indulged in by Tc Whiti on the one side, and by our contemporary on the other," The utterances of the two are very much on a par. The "Po3t"goes on to argue that Te Whiti's meaning has been strained. The Minister of Native Affairs informs me that he has had no further in telligence from the Coast to-day. THE FRANKLIN CONTEST. Mr Harriß intends to stand for North Franklin, and Mr Haralin for South Franklin during the election. Mr Harris gave Mr Hamlin his choice, and the latter chose the southern constituency. Mr Harris to-day gave notice to ask will the Government re-open the Post-office at Papatoitoi (in the Auckland province) closed about two years ago; also, if the Govern ment have found, on enquiries as to the amount of truffle at Manuwera Station, on the Auckland and Waikato railway, whether or not the Government would be justified in appointing a station-master there. COMMISSION TO INSURANCE CAN VASSERS. A return was laid upon the table of the House to-day showing tbc various amounts paid to agents for commission, salary, etc., in connection with the Government Life Insurance Department for the two years prior to the close of the last financial year. The totalc are :—Commission, £10,227 j salaries, £1,287 ; travelling expenses, £806 ; making a grand total of. £12,320. The amount of business completed, and for which policies were issued in the two years referred to,-was £1,275,605. ■■ ■

{PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Legislative Council.

| ( Tuesday.

HAILWAY3 CONSTBTJCTION BILL. The Railways Construction and Land Bill was read a third time, and passed, on a divisionl by 16 to 14, the names being the same as in early divisions.' I VARIOUS BILLS. Tho Property Assessment Act Amend ment Bill was read a second time, and the Neglected and Criminal Children Act Amendment Bill a third time. The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill was passed through committee, and the Deceased Persons Estate Bill was thrown out in committee by the carrying of a motion for the Chairman leaving the chair.

Mr Whitakbk gave notice that he would move to re-instate the Bill.

The Council rose at 8,60.

House of Representatives.

Tuesday. THK RIMUTAKA BAILWAY ACCIDENT. Replying to a question put by Mr Kelly, i Mr Hall said that the petitions for com pensation in connection with the Rimutaka railway accident having been referred to the Petitions Committee, on the motion of a member of the Government, he felt bound to adopt the committee's recommendation. lie was bound, however, to admit that he did not concur in the recommendation made. CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DUTIES BILL. In the course of discussion on this Bill Dr. Wallts condemned the practice of con tinually changing the tariff. The Bill be fore the House, he maintained, tended in 'the direction of a protective policy. Mr Swanson read a telegram from a produce firm in Auckland, largely engaged in the Fiji trade in maize, objecting to the duty proposed on that cereal. He would give the Government what assistance he could in carrying the Bill, but he hoped an exception would be made in the case of , this Fiji trade.

After further remarks from Mr Saun dkrs, Mr Beeves, Mr Murray, and others, Major Atkinson briefly replied, after which the motion for the second read ing was put, and carried on the voices. NATIVE LANDS COURT ACT. The Premier laid on the table a despatch from the Secretary of State, intimating the Royal assent to the Native Lands Court Act, passed last session. '■• governor's assent. A message was received from the Acting- Governor, assenting to the following bills :•- Gamins and Lotteries, Public Reserves, Auckland Reserves Exchange and Change of Trust, Regulation of Electors, Waikato Racecourse Reserve, Adoption of Children, and a number of others. LEASEHOLDERS' QUALIFICATION. SirGEO. Grey asked the Premier if ho would make his promised statement with reference to the Leaseholders' Qualification Bill? The Premier made a statement to the effect that when the Bill was in Committee an addition was moved by Sir George Grey, the purpose of which would be foreign to the object of the Bill. The Government urged that this matter should be allowed to

be considered by itself, but the hon. mem ber would not agree to that pr opoa ,) c;?' announced his determination to pe'reaMr.!9' ;it the end, until he had moved tha^S should exercise more than 99 totes. Unfl those circumstances knowing the period t the session at which we have' arrived a n °i knowing how exceedingly valuable out tim is, the Government have come to the «T elusion, from the impossibility of car™;"' that Bill now without admitting anS H 8 ment foreign to it, without loss of tinT that they are reluctantly compelled to «A* rait that the hon. gentleman has stin-d^j , : In defeating the leasehold franchise, • 1 Sir G. Geey denied that hehad;saidh would move his amendment up to 99 *„«„ The House was in committee at the tun " He was quite certain he would soon C?1 carried the limit which would have been Mr George asked what further Bin the Government intended to drop'iw 1 The Premier said if Mr George coma tell him how long each would b B jj cussed, he would be able to answer tj?" question. me CONSOLIDATED STOCK BILL, ' Major ATKINSON moved the second read ing of the New Zealand Consolidated Rtn n i BUI. ttoW* Mr BALLANOE desired Government t state what remuneration it was proposed to I pay the gentlemen proposed to be associated ■ I with the Agent-General in consoHdatin» the stock. On its merits, he approved of the proposal, but wished to know if «*■ vernment bad had their attention directed to the present favourable condition of the money market at Home for converting stock. UR. Mr HALL said the Agent-General himscir was ot opinion that it would be well to associate with him at least one gentleman whose sources of information relative to the money market were more reliable than bin own. It was in view of that request that the proposal was made to appoint two agents. They had requested the Afent. General to state what he thought would ba a fair remuneration. Government itself wm of opinion that if the services of such a gentlemen could be securod for a period of 9 two or three years, for JE2OOO, the condition would be a, fair one. Government were quite aware of the present favourable state ' I of the money market. _ > Sir George Grey disapproved of the con* version operation altogether. If, however it was to go on, he thought one agent ttm quite enough. ■ ( The motion for the second reading was • put and carried. . CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL. ,;; In committee on clause 2, Mr DeL AUtour moved that "bacon ana hams, 2d," be struck out. Major Atkinson explained that the ob ject of the impost was to place an impedi ment in the way. of importing, possibly, diseased bacon and hams from America! As showing the proportion of the import trade in the articles, he stated that in 1844 the total value imported was £650, the next year-it ttus £2000, and last year it had risen to th 2 enormous sum of £15,000. After some discussion the House divided on the question for retaining the item as printed. Ayes, 31; noes, 19.—The item was retained as printed.' In reply to Mr Lbtot, Major ATKINSON '/■ said tba- iron nails had been reduced from M 3s to 2s, as it was considered only a fair concession to the building trade. The duty last year amounted to £2,600, The committee divided on the question that the item remain as printed—ayea, 38 j noes, 16. .., . • at MrFuLTdN proposed that the item jams, jellies,. marmalade, and preserves, |d per lb., be ieft at the present rate of id pei lb.- ■ Item passed oh the voices; Mr Moss moved that the item, maize, bb 9d per busheL—Negatived oh the Voices, - The clause was then put, and carried on the voices. ,- I'^-Hfl The bill at it later stage was passed; the only amendment made being the striking out b£ the clause abdut distillation, which was omitted on the motioii of Major Atkinson. ■ PTJBLIO BEVENUES bILL. ' The Public Revenues Bill was introduced by resolution of committee, reported to the House, when the bill was react a first time, and ordered to be a second time to-morrow. business. - ;•■• ■•i'-'d::=S|| Mr HALL, in conformity with the promise made during the earlier part of- the night, stated that the Government proposed drop* pins; the following bills on the order paper : —Pensions Validation, Education Reserves Act Amendment, leaseholders* Qualification, Counties Act Suspension, Fisheries, Friendly Societies,.lnspection ot Machinery, East Coast Land District Land Act, 1877, Amendment, Land Claims Settlements ActKepoal, a committee of the whole House to consider clause 13 of the New Plymouth Harbour Commission Bill, New Plymouth Harbour Commission, und Auckland Museum Endowment Bill. PENSIONS BILL. A message was received from the Legis lative Council, stating that the position of } the Pensions Bill was ao unusual and complU cated that they had referred It to a special committee, to search for'precedents and re port to the Council -without delay. PROPERTY TAX BILL. The Property Tax Bill also passed through committee, and was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed, su:; " COHSOLIDATED STOCK. The New Zealand Consolidated Stock Act Amendment Bill was also passed. HATIVJB LAND ACT. Mr Eollkston moved the third reading of the Native Land Act Amendment Bill.— Agreed to. COMMITTEE. The House went into committee on tho West Coast Settlement Reserves, the Native Land Act Amendment, and the Rative Reserves Bills. After I.^o, in Committee on the West Coast Settlement Reserves Bill, a motion by Mr Te "Wheoro to have two trustees—one European and one native—was lost by 22 to 14. Clause 17 was struck: out, and . 'several amendments were made in other clauses. ';■■;•■. The Bill was reported, read a third time, and passed. The Native Lands Act Amendment also . passed all stages. Progress was reported on the Natives, Reserves Bill. • THE NATIVE MEMBERS' OPINION.OF THE WBST COAST TROUBLE. Before the House rose Mr Te Wheobo referred to the reports published in the . newspapers about the state of native affairs on the West Coast. He did not believe in them. He would not say to the Govern ment to cease being careful, but at tho same time he did not think there was any well-founded ground tor alarm. They : should, however, look carefully after Te' V-, Whiti. He believed the alarm was got up by the Europeans for their own purpose. They wanted troops sent up there because ;^ Taranuki was really supported by the ex- * "ponditure on soldiers; ' Mr ToMOANA thought the Government ' should prevent newspapers publishing state ments which were likely to alarm both Europeans and Maoria.. . : ... Mr Tawhai agreed that the newspapers., had grossly exaggerated the facts.. The-. object was to get troops sent up to the diß-. triefc. The Government should not be alarmed by these reports. Mr Hall asked the native members if ~ they had any special information from which they spoke. . Mr Te Wheoro said he did not wish to throw the Government off its guard, but he had been informed the reports in question were unfounded. They would have been sure to have heard of it if any cause tor ~ alarm existed. Had there been real cause for alarm, the European settlers would cot have continued on their land in the district. He had telegraphed to the district, and would : have been informed if there was anything J serious. At the same time the Government, without being alarmed, should be on its guard.

Mr Hall said the Government was not alarmed. They knew what was being said ; by those at Parihaka. They were on their guard and nothing more, as they knew they were strone enough to deal with any emergency. Therefore r they were noi alarmed. If trouble came they knew how to deal with it, but they would not meet it half-way. He was sorry the Maori members had attributed the alarm to a desire to get expenditure in the district. The Government had information , proving that was not correct. The Govern, ment trusted to the good sense of the . ; natives to prevent any disturbance, and every precaution was being taken to prevent trouble arising, At 2.40 the House rose till 11 o'clock i today.

Sitting This Day.

SIR GEORGE GREY IN EXPLANA TION. ,

The House met at 11 o'clock:

Sir Geobge Grey said he wished to mako'a personal explanation npon the sub; jeefc of the Leasehold Qualifications 'Bill, which the House had ordered to be dis charged, and he had consented to the Committee being got rid of by reporting progress, on the distinct understanding

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR. WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 21.



[B Tlie laily who." picked her steps " mußt ! have plantad her fset. T'" J " : • ■■ ■ .



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A great many neuralglo.diseases. when aggra vated, become spasmodic, and it is in this par- Uoular stage or type of the disease, that the great molilfler, known as Udolpo Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatio Schnapps, assorts its supremacy.' It soothes the nerves by its gently diffusive proper ties, allays irritation by its quieting effects, and toning the avatom, strengthens the organs, so as to perfect functional notion.