SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

niOH WATER^^ 0 E r ; o ° w lnjtornfng, 9.9 1 UNBKT.—This Kvonlnß. 6.50 ' TJNRIBK.—To-Morrow Morning, n. 3/ H 'UN'S AQK,—Last Quarter. 22nd, 7.9 a.m,

ARRIVALS.

LAST KVINMNG. Marlnor, Boh., QueeD, from Rusk 11

TO-DAY

Rotornahano, s s.. Undorwooii. from Rassoll Gltnelg, s.p.. Faniuhar, from Tannins* Queon, schooner, Jones, from Hokianga Tokorau. cuttor, Cinnamon, from Mereurj Day

DEPARTURES.

T.-DAT. Loongana, barqno, Fisher, for Ho .art Rotomahana, b.s., Underwood, for South

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Londoa-Dunloo, loading ; Loch Urr, to follow Tauranga-Glonelg. Friday; walWkl, Monday Rassoll—lona. Monday Melbourno, vift South-Albion, Thursday Whangarol and Hussoll-Waitaki. Wednesday Now Plymouth and south-Wanaka, Tuorday Whnngorel—Argylo, Tuesdays and Fridays

Waitakl, Friday Friendly Islands-MyrUo Islands-Coronot

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Wolvorino, H.M.S., from Sydney, shortly Meropo, ship, from London . Orford, ship, (M.T.L 3.) from London; eallod Deo. I

Inwards Coabtwiss. - Rangitlra. from Barrier, with 50 tons flrowood : Queen, from Hokianea, with 7 biles wool. 2000 feot timber; Adah, from Thames, with 21,000 foot of timber nnd aundres ; Tokcrau, from Mercury Bar, with 26,000 feet limber.

OrTWABD3 COASTWISE.-Reward, for "VVhan paroi; Kaogatira, for Omuha; Adah, jor Thames; Tokerau, for Mercury Bay; .Perse verance for Waihoke. The brigantino Clnnsman cloarcd out at the Customs to-day for Newcaat'o. Sho iB expected to sail on Saturday noxt.

The koo^ Fanny Kelly has been haulod up at Goufc'a yard, for the purposo of undergoing Pecessary ropairs. .

Tho Bhooncr Onward U undergoing an over haul oa Meaar3 Henderson and Spraggons slip. Captain Jonta roporta that whon passing Whsngaroa on Tueßday last he Raw tho brigan t.no Linda Weber leaving for Napipr with a cargo of limber. A brig was taking her depar ture at tho same lime. The b 8. Glcnolcc arrived from Tauransa, to-day with ''50 sheep, 70 sacks gum, 60 sacks bran, 1 balo wcol, and i tons sundrios. Passenger* :- MrandMrsGow, Mrs Koller, Mrs Leo. Mrs Carina, Messrs Owen, McLean, Geddis, \V. Gow, Kirk, Kelly, and three prisoners. Tho following notice to mariners has been issued from tho Marine Department at V\ elling ton :->'otice is heraby given that an iron beacon has been erected on Maori Rock, -North Channel, Kawau Bay. Tho beacon consists of an Iron rod with an open ironwork barrel-shaped top. It will be 10 reet out of water .at high water spring tides. Tho s.s. Rotomahana loft for Southern ports and Melbourne thh afternoon with the fo low ing passengers:—Gisborno: J. F. Clarke, Nearui, Kebecca, J. Adamf. Hubble. Napier : Mrs Morrison, T. A. Menzies, W'oostT, Kyder, Lopdell, Koper. Wellington: J. Groy. Miss Kobson, McQuarrle. Lyttolton: Glazier. Mr and Mrs Byrant, Fowler, W. Quirk. A. Cook, F. Scherff, Uhisholm. Dunedin :Mr and Mrs Gow. Timaru: Miss E. Stack. Bluff; Mrs Binks. Melbourno: li. Weall, W. H 13. Swift, Mr and Mrs Seward, W. It. Ihompson, It. Lore, Mis 333 Slattor (2) Bln-iientnul.- B. Gardiner.C. Karen, Flack, MeEsrs Quirk and Smith, Miss Hedlsy. Referring to the fact that, even yo', tho great majority of ship-builders tenaciomly hold to the idea that a vessel should bo made to ride over the water and waves rather than through then 1, a recent writer remarks that it is eas er to propol a deep vessel of any given tonnaue through the water than a shallow vessel of equal capacity along tho stirfaca. Tha reason alleg- A for this is that tho deeper tho wake in the water tho quicker it is filled to support the after part of the vessel, and that it is tho finking of a ship In her wake at the stern that compels her to raise a hill of water-so that, even if the pro polling power ba doubled afior re • chin? the practical maximum of !a ship's speed, only two or three knota mora of sp ed can bo gained. According to the writer in question, tho Scotch and Knsjlieh iron shipbuilders are just now be ginning to operate on these principles, and are building, in accordance with them, \ esssls 600 to 700 feet long.

LAUNCH AT THE NORTH SHORE.

Tho large three-masted schooner built at the North Shore, for Captain O. H. McKenzie, was launched to-day in the presence ot a consider able number ot spectators. Sh9 has been en the stocks for more than two years-having been commenced by Mr Darrach, and completed by Messrs Blgelow and sons. Her dimensions are: —Length of keel. 116; breadth of beam, 27 feet: depth of hod, 12 feet. Her gross tonnage ia 275 tons, bnt it is expected that she will have a c-arrjing capacity o( over 100 tons. Sho is a Una looking vessel, stauehly built under tho super vision other owner, who intends to retain her hS a permanent addition to his fleet of trading craftß. We understand that sho hw already been chartered to load at this port with gum for New York. Captaia Davies, formerly of tho Oceola, takes oommand. *

TELEGHAPHIC SHIPPING.

Russj-11, this day. Arrivals: Christina, Goldon Isle, Zillah, and Waitahi. Tho Waitakl sxi's at 1. Passengers: —Miss Kdie, Meadamss Norris, Falrburn, Mr Stono ond others. For Taranaki — Miss Gallagher, Mongonuj, this day. ARRIVAL OS" A WHALER. Arrived: Whaling Barque Josophine, Capt. G. F. Long, 5 months ont, with 135 barrels oil. Port Chalmers, yesterday. Sailed: Albion, for North. Passengers for Auckland:—Mrs Thompson, and Messrs Me- UieKor and Rilcy. Melbourne, Febmary 16. Arrived: s.s. Te Anan, from the Bluff. Sailed: e.s. Tararua, for tho Bluff.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening star Office, Thursday. At Mr R. Arthur's sale of fruit to-day, apples brought from jd to 2J4 per lb ; pears, from 1 Id to 2d; plums, 6Jd; damsons, 3Jd to 3Jd ; lemoDS, 2s Id per dozen. A large furniture sale was he'd doriDft the afternoon, which was well attended and tho articles were bringiDg in very fair prices.

Mail Notice.

Mails wilt, Close as Under.— Fkiday, 18th instant. For Waihoko and Coromandol, por Coro mandol, at 2.30 p.m. For Thames, per Kotomahana, at 1 p.m. For Whi.ifingi, Tuirua, Tuurunga, and Opotikl, por Glonolg, at 1 p.m. For Whangarol Houds, Parua, Walpu, Whan- Karoi, and Tungihua, per Argyk\ at i p.m. For Wangarel Heads, Wangarol, and Manga pal, por VVaitaki, at 5 p.nu For Thames, por Kntorpriso, at 5.30 p.w. Satuhdav. 19th instant. For Waiwera, Muliuranul, Matakana, Manga wal, etc , por Roso Casny, at 10 a.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 1 p.m. Tuesday, 22nd instant.! For Taranaki and Southern porto, per .Yanaks, at 11 a. in. Tuksday. Ist March. Por as. City of Now York, as follows :— For Sandwloh Islands, United Statoa of Amorloa. Canada, British Columbia, Contra! and South Amorloa. and Britlah and Foreign VVost Indies, at 5 p.m. For Unltod Kingdom and Contlnont of Enropo, at 5 p.m. For monoy orders, regtutorod lottore, and nowspapora, at i p.m. Late letters bearing an nxtra foo of sixpence in addition to the postage, will bo roovlvod by the Mall Agent on board tho steamer up to the llmo of sailing. TnU mail will bo duo In London on Tuosday, April 12.

N.8.-A Post-ofUoo has boon opened at Opahcke, near Kama''hum. Mails will oloso at thin otllco every Friday at 7 p.m. Ueturn mails will bo received overy Saturday at 9 15 a.m. S. 11. 1U33, Chlot Postmaster. Chlof Post-oillco. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

February 17th, ISSI. Thoatro Royal — " Tho Irish Uetcotlvo," » p.m. Ladiea Annual Itonavolent Spclety Mooting— V.M.C.A. Rooms, 1 p.m. St. Luke's Cliuch, Mount Albert—Annual Gocial Gathering, 6.30 p.m. Y.M.C.A.—Uovotional, 7.30 pm. Remuora—Garden Party at the "Tower," 1 pm.

Marriage.

EURO ESS-CUAIO.-On tho Sth February, at the roßidonco of iho bndn. Newton, Joseph, sixth ton of Ut'orjM Uichtrd and Harali Anno BurgeßS, to hUztiboth Annie, oldest duimhtor of Arthur and Klizaboth Aonio Craig.— Thames papers ploiso copy.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1881

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

The news received by cable to-day that the opening wool salo shewed a declino equal to S£ per cent, is not at all wolcomo. During tho lust three months of 1880 New Zealand exported 20,721,3581b5. of wool, valued at £995,258. Tho export of wool for the year 1880 was valued at £3)109,300; and a discount of 8| per cent on that would moan a very con siderable sum of money lost to the colony. Upon our exports wo have to rely to pull tho Colony through its finunchl difficulties and place it on the high road to pros perity, and it is encouraging to know that the export returns last year gave promise of a very satisfactory expansion in response to the call made upon the productive energies of tho country. Provided that prices keep good, the Colony will find no trouble in meeting all claims against it by foreign creditors, The exports for the year 1880 wore £6,352,692, as compared with £5,7-13,126 in 1879, shewing an in crease of £609,506. This has accrued chiefly from the development of the agricultural resources of the country, as the following tabulated statement of the export returns, from 1880 and 1879. will shew !— 1880. 1879. W001...£3,1(19,300 £3,120,-139 Wheat 932,913 520,806 Oats ... IG9.GG2 111,742 Barley 84,783 27,131 Tallow 146,538 145,595 The wheat export, it will be observed has risen in a very marked degree, but wool still lieads tho list, and any serious diminution in the market, valuo of that commodity in London is a matter of concern to every one, and would be felt through all branches of industry.

"TH ROUGH THE LIGHT CONTINENT."

i A very interes Ing Dook on the the social, J commercial, and industrial condition of the ; United States ia 1577-8, written by Wil ; liam Saunders, and publisdcd by Cassell, ! Pettcr, aud Galpin, has been placed in our i hands by Messrs Champtaloup and Cooper. "Through the Light Continent," tho title chosen by the author, is rather fantastic, but the book ia nevertheless a good one. The author visited America not on pleasure bent, but with a view to obtaining as much information as possible on a great variety of topics, political and social cbicfiy. The result is a handsome volume of over 400 pages, where, though no rhetorical flourish and bombast, or travellers' talei of ques tionable veracity are to be found, there is, however, plenty to entertain the reader anxious to understand the recent progress and present position of the United States. The number of facts marshalled and com mented upon is surprising, and it is evident that the author made good use of his time, and of the notabilities to whom, as he now and then incidentally lets fall, ho had let tors of introduction. Tho arram/cruent of the book is somewhat peculiar. The reader is not taken from place to place and in formed what was to be seen in each, but from subject to subject. Thus in one chapter he learns about emigration; in another about banking; then successively about temperance, land laws, food supplies, education, railways, and so on to the last, which treats of tbing3 in general. Of this multiplicity of topics the limits of an article compel us to pick out one or two only, just those in fact which possess an especial interest for the colonial reader. At this time when there exists a keen competition between America and Australasia as fields for emigration, any trustworthy and candid guide Avho points out the true reasons why the former country receive? the preference, is entitled to a heating. " The Government," says Mr Saunders, "will grant 80 acres of land within twenty miles of a railway, and 160 beyond that limit, to any one who lives for five years on the land." This is a great inducement to the poorer inhabitants of old countries where land is a very valuable possession, and an estate of a hundred acres would mean a small fortune. It may be an economical mistake for a Government to give land away, but such a consideration does not enter the mind of the intending emigrant who is afflicted with that acute mania, known as land-hußger. It would doubtless be much more prudent for the Government to sell the land and spend the proceeds in road-construction and other improvements; but the poor Briton is too glad to become an owner of the soil to do more than eagerly seize the

tempting bnit, Then ngnin, land is much cheaper to buy in ths United States thau in New Zealand. For example, in Texas it is stated that splendid estates can be pur chased for 2a per aerc,-:iu enticing coti timt to the twenty shillings demanded in this colony for the poorest waste land. In other parts the Up3et price is 1 ; } dollars (any ss), and Mr Saunders adds it is r.irc that n higher figure iatobtainablc. It would appear from our author's deaciiption that America U tho paradise olE'capitalists, In Colorado money may ue lent to fanner.*, j "with pvi-foct security," at 12 to 15 per cent., and the same high rate obtains in most other places. It must neccs-su-ily re quire far supoiior inducements thllll the Antipodes can at present oiler to prevent a man with capital from settling down on v .splendid estate bought for 2s an acre, nnd lending tho balauee of his money to lus neighbours at 12 or 15 per cent. There urn at linH two other considerations which weigh in favour of America. One is its shorter distance from Europe. '1 hn c thousaud mitos of ocean arc not nearly so formidable es (iftten tlnr sund. The other h to be found in the fact that America ia so much biter known thnn Now Zealand and Australia. The stream of emigration has been setting thitherwards so long that everybody in Eng land, Scotland, aud Ii eland has friend h or kinsfolk across tho Atlantic, frcm whom each, mail has carried abundant informat on. We have said nothing about the ready mar kets which the agriculturist of Amoiica fiuds by means of the railroad nii'l the fre quency of largo centres of population, but this in itself would dispose many in favour of that country. Taking all these facts together there is littlo room for BUrnriie that in spite of manifest disadvantages the United States oilers nt the present time more substantial inducements to the emi grant than the Australasian colonies. If the views of Mr Saunders arc more pronounced on one subject than on another in his book, it is nu tho tremendous injury Protection bas wrought in the United States, lie is a tnoit ardent Free Trader, and his impeachment of tho policy to which Brother Jonathan has boon so long wedded is at any rate vigorous. Kirst among the charges is the fact that Protection hut raised the price of almost every conceivable niticle. "Protection," Mr Saundors says, " has mado tli o United States tho dearest country in tho world for the ordinary articles of consumption." About 2,000 articles arc dutiable on entering tbo United States ; and from imports valued at eighty-seven aud n-balf millions enstonm dues are extracted to tho value of twenty six and a-half millions. It ia iutructive to compare with Mm the fact that England raises only twenty millions in duties from an import of over three hundred millions. Mr Saundera points out the natural result of one of the«o duties, viz., that on iron. Ho observes, " railways in the States paid 30 nnd 40 per cent, more for their rails than they would otheiwi.se have cost; nnd thus, for all time loco motion in made more costly." lieviowin" this aspect of the question ho nays elsii where that tile most experienced American iiuauciors '* estimate that tho.protectionist policy is costing tho nation about 100,OU0 millions of dollars nunnnlly." These lire alarming figures, and the sum they repre- Miit will take a great deal of paying buck. Another important charge which our author urges against protection is tho obstacle it places iti tho way of fostering manufactures. "Tho Americans believe," lie remarks, "that protection develops manufactures, whereas it is übuut tho surest method of retarding their development. I'ew men will take more trouble than is necessary iv perfecting their own business, aud, if a manufacturer can secure a good profit by appealing to his doveminent for protection, he will not exert himself to adopt improvements in hia production." This position Mr f-aunders supports by instancing two trades, viz., clotll-makint,' and starch-making. The duty on cloth is 35 per cent. ; and although wool is cheaper in the States than in England, cloth in much dearer. The best cloth has still to be Imported in spito of protection, which, Mr Saunders contends, has effectually retardod improvements in American cloth weaving establishments. With regard to the other trade, an experienced EnglUhmail JJUVC it as his opinion that tlie waste in an Aincri enn starch factory was sullicont to ruin an English factory in twelvo months. Similur itmtaucc?, Mr Snunders assorts, could be lnuhiplinl indefinitely.

The way in which our American cousins arc taxed is simply astonish ing. The greatest ingenuity ha* been exercised in devising methods of raising ro.vmuc. Not only are thing* taxeii, but persons also—the offence of having been bom is visited with a constant Nemesis in the shape of the tax-collector. To prevent men from working too hard, nud to lessen that ever-bubbling overflowing activity which is a usual characteristic of the American, taxes arc imposed on every con ceivable calling. lit the city of New Orleans, for example, for the crime ot sell ing wood or charcoal by retail, or ofahociiig a horse, or of dyeing a coat, a man is mulcted of 5 dollars per annum. For bein^ an attorney, a dentist, a physician, the line is 20 dollars. A skating rink keeper is taxed 25 dollars ; the proprietor of a cock-pit 75 dollars ; an undertaker, 100 dollars ; every stevedore, 50 dollars. Tho highest tax of alt falls—and deservedly too—on lottery companies, who have to pay 2 500 dollars a year for the boon of fleecing their gullable neighbours.

Such books aa "Through tho Light Con tinent" ought to be studied in Now Zealand. We hayo to shape our course to learn to govern ourselves in the best manner, not so Inuch by the example of sucli old-world nations is the English or the Gcrmar, but by that of newer countries which have but just passed, or are even now passing, through circumstances and situations identical with our own. Uy learning the mistakes into which they fell, it is possible that we may be able to avoid similar ones ; and by noting the methods by which they arrived at prosperity we shall have a chance to achieve a like success, We havo no hesitation in recommending the volume wo have been noticing as an interesting des cription of tho present position of tho United States.

The following is the jola of attendance at the Court of Petty Sessions, to be held on Tuesday next, the 22nd inst., Col. Nation (Chairman), Messrs J. Baber, A. Beetham, 11. Brett, J. McC. Clark, A. Clement?, J. Cos^rave, W. C. Daldy, P. Dignaß, J. Dilwoith, C. V. Goldsbro', It. Graham, D. Ilean, G. Yon der licyde, and \Y. J. iiurst.

Auckland is still tho head shipping port of New Zealand. Tho entries inwards in the December quarter were 63 vessels of 31,255 tons against 25 vessels of 18,135 tous at Wellington, 40 ves^cl-j ot 20,153 tons at Lyttelton, and 30 vessels of 16,325 tons ut Dunedin.

Dr Philson acknowledges with' thanks the receipt of £3 from an anonymous friend as a contribution to the fund for the supply of extras to tbo hospital patients.

The Wbau Church of England annual meeting was held on Tuesday evening, and passed off satisfactorily. The chair was occupied by Rev. John Ilaselden, who made a tew preliminary remarks, and called upon the secretary to read the report of last year's proceedings. The ace lunta were satisfactory. Mr Bollard was appointed minister's warden, and Mr Owen warden for the people. Messrs Glenny, Leacb, and Birupson were elected vestrymen for the current year, and Mr Howell auditor. A vote of thanks was given to Miss Dakin for her services as organist to the church.

Messrs Maclean and Co. intend to sow 4,000 acres of turnips, and have already got half that area under crop. We are sorry to hear, however, that owing to the want of rain mauy of the turnip crops in Waikato have been attacked by the turnip-fly.— Waikato Mail.

The impression has got abroad that among the members of the Devonport Board there was some difference of opinion on the great question, the "big dock." Both Mr W, Brown and Mr O. Mays were both staunch supporters of the big dock, and the ground of election lay " that it was not wise to return the same member always, but, whatever honour there is in being in the Harbour Board to get it distributed and give each a turn."

A cricket match will be played on Satur day at the Whau between the Henderson Mill and Union C.C.'s. Tho following arc the Union team :—John Sinclair, King, Archibald (3), Buchanan, Clayton, Hill, Wallace, Exler (2).

At Mr Horac3 Dean's complimentary testimonial in the Choral Hall on the 10th of March, a prize will be given for the best poem on Dean's Minstrels, not to exceed fifty lines, and a prize will also be given for t'ae best conundrum on the same subiect.

To the Editor : Sir,— Yesterday as I was going up Grey-street aud coming down again this morning, I saw, to my surprise, four big men were picking up stones in one barrow. I will say, at the least, it took one of the biggest of the four no less than 40 seconds to pick up one stone aud bring it back to the barrow. It is no wonder the City Council cauuot do the by-streets when they keep four men to pick up one barrow of stones an hour. I think old men should be employed on such work,—Yours, &c, Oms of tue Lost Tribe.

The treasurer of the Parnell Orphan Home acknowledges will thanks the i\> ceipt of £5 from Thos. Henderson, jun., Esq., for the Union S.S. Co., being one tliird of tho proceeds of the Te Auau's ex cursion to Motutipu.

A correspondent writes complaining of the management <)t Whangaiei harbour. He pays vessels are boxed up at the wliarf, >o that a Email boat can hardly cet into it; the buoys on tho river are misplaced, nn 1 should be about twice their present size; the infaatino buoy nt tho Heads should bo replaced by a larger one that can be clearly seen, severe 1 steamers having got on the bank through the unsuitable character of this buoy, lie also condemns the proposal to i«ipose port dueo, which he says will drivo away the Union steamers which como to coal. He also says that from Limestone Island to the township there is not a single stake to mark the channel, lie is strongly of opinion that a change in the management of the harbour is imperatively needed.

The following very elepent dissertation on the nude in art appears in the " Thames Star's" opcuing notieo ot the Victoria Loftus Troupe :—"A number of people, who have more prudish notious than those prompted by real modesty, have spoken condemningly of the scarcity of wearing apparel in which tho actresses nnd actors were clothed, but by doing so they only betray the most culpable ignorance, as it is well-known that when so dressed they are merely lay iigureß, and should be considered in that light, or the same as tho nude statues, aud lightly clad pictures of gods und goddesses one sees in a picture gallery or Art Union. "To the pure all things arc pure," and although lascivious iniuded people will miy the dresses were iudecent there was nothing in last evening's per formance- which would bo objectionable to the moat fastidious."

By tho last mail we learn thst the Queen's Christmas lSouuty was distributed in White hull to 1,1 (i.S poor peoplo of London and some country parishes. One thousand received 5a each, and tho remaining portion, ICB, 13a each. The latter roprcouted ih« ancient " Unto Alum." Tho ngcs of the recipients ranged from 80 to 9(i year*. A pleasing anil laudable act of icinduesH by Her Mujcnty is thus described : While riding in her carriage along the road one wet day sho observed a navvy working by tho roadfido. She saw that the mini was without a cout and vest, working iv the pelting ruin, aud, with herunual sym pathetic fcoliup, sho at onco ordered a valuable rug which was in the carriage to be taken to the wonder-stricken navvy und placed on his back to Hholtcr him from the rain. This is only ono of the many in stances of n like description in which her Majesty has i>ei formed such iiiiblo und ever to-bo-re!Uouiberisd acts of cliurity.

The Founders' Shares in tho Suez Canal of 5,000 frano, are now worth 350,000 francs. If Mr do Lesso.ps' speculation at Panama is equal successful ho will do very well, Under the company recently floated 10,000 ihares fully paid are assigucd to the society of original grantees for tho con- CPSfion', surveys, &c. 80 per oout. of the tictt jirolitsonly are to go to tho shareholders, the balance to tho grantees ot coiioc-sions. It is estimated that the value per ton that will be saved to vessels passing through tho Panama Canal instead (if going round the Horn is 80 franc, aud the tariff is to be only 15 francs per ton. It was aluo estima ted that thu gross income will roach 90 francs. If successful it v>ill revolutionize tho trade to New Zealand.

A lady visitor to Japan says that though tin1 Japanese women aro pleasant they nrc not comely. The noses are Hit, the lips thick, and the eyes of the slanting, Mongo lian typo and the common custom of shaving off the eyebrows and blackening the teeth, together with an obvious lack of soul, give nearly nil faces a vacant, insane expression. Physically, they l»ok below par, as it the race were wearing out,

An attendant at tho Oregon Insane Asy lum was told to climb a tree and bring down a patient who had Ukcn a position in its top. He had reached a height of thirty feet when a limb broke, nnd he fell, boitnc ing from branch t) branch, and finally sitting mi tho ground like the hummer of n pile driver. For twenty years this man had been dumb, though able to hear, but now the spectator* were astounded by Mich an outbreak of Uncut and shocking profanity ns they had never heard before. Tho cure was permanent, too.

According to tho "London World", "footmen nro jjoinn out, and footwomen aro tukiiiK thoir place. Dining the othor night in Eaton placo, the door was opened by one of tho latter in a must charming nnd becoming livery. IJltick-ainl-whitu mob cap for head-dress, strntl-up-collar, with white cravat, and a small pin in it, rich brown cloth co-it, with livery buttons, cut somowhat like a man's hunting coat, and a buff waistcoat, with a High Church collar such was the uniform. I was so struck with tho upper portion of the dress that I never thought of looking at the extremities ; but I fancy my eye once got a glimpse, going up stairs, of rrd stocking* and shoes with silver buckles. During dinner four winsomo lassies.alt eimilarly attired, waited on me hand and foot ; and never was a dinner more deftly handed and served.

American lishcrmen liavc generally almn doncd the right of iii'hore fislicfy in Cana dian water?, which cost the United States Government live and n balf million dollarc They find better fishing at home. The Canndiitn fuliermen are being tlriveu out of the market by the Norwegians, who supply Bah that are better cured, and who conduct their business with more ontcrpfiso. They fish now by teloj{raph in Norway. Stations have been built along tho coast, and during the herring season, which is at its height for about fix week?, aßliarp lookout is kept tot f>hoah. Wherever one is sighted, word is cent along the line, nnd the available fishermen promptly give chase. The old way was for the fishermen to cruise along the shore, trusting to luck or the reports they miaht hear to come upon the herring. Now. every morning during the season, tho position of the shoals, which are watched, is reported and posted at tho principal tele graphic stations.

Ueturn of sick treated at the Pro vincial District Hospital for the week end ing Saturday, February 12th, 1881 : — Hcmained last toturn, 99 ; admitted since, 21 ; discharged, M; died, 2 ; remain ing, 104 — males, 84; females. 20. Arrangement Of cases : Zymotic, 14; constitutional, 7 ; local, 45 ; developmental, 21; violent, 17. Two deaths occurred, viz., M.D., aged 75 years, female, on Sth instant, of general debility, A. McA., flged 2S years, female, on 10th, of typhoid fever. Old linen U very much required for uso in hospital.

The principal topic of iutercst at tho thriving township of Tunkau just now is a varied programme of sports iv course of preparation by an energetic ond influential committee. Mr >S. Fergie has placed liin paddock, a commodious level sward close to the railway-station, at the disposal of the Sporting Committee for tho ocoaaiou, Sat urday, tho 2Gth inst. Contributions oro fruely ilowing in frcm residents and visitors. Amongst the contributions offered, one well deserving montion is that proffered by S. Konn, E»q , Auckland. It is an electro plated cup of chaste design, to be contested for ai the Committee may direct. Other visitors from Auckland to our picturesque township have not forgotten to give their aid. "Go Ahead" seems to bo tho motto of this rapidly-prosperingdislrict. Favoured by nature for its resources—climatic and industrial—it bids fair to rival other dis tricts of more ancient notoriety. The majestic Waikato close by, woods and scenery of the moat varied description, rich soil and countless watcifalls on a small scale, must ere lons enhance the valuo of land erstwhile and but recently the arena of strife between European and native.— (Correspondent)

To the Editor: Sir,—l cannot for a moment understand what our "civic authorities " wero thinking of wheu they granted tho night soil contractor permission to bring his empty carts into the city in tho day time. Is not the health of the public to bo studied, for I know personally that there .arc several cases of fever in the direc tion which rhese carts pass, at a Into hour in the morning. Ido not say that the cases referred to are wholly on account of these carts—but no doubt they do materially to assist to breed contagion which cannot be easily eradicated. I presume, sir, it will he urged in extenuation that these carts are new and are daily cleansed, &c ; but I will take this answer for what it is worth, and ns for allowing these carts to stand in the contractor's yard, in Kclson-slreet during the day it is simply shameful and scandalous. As we are getting very warm weather now, I may prognosticate that if steps are not taken to have these public nuisances reme died, we will have fever in every shape and form, and who will then bo responsible ? Not the civic authorities. At a previous meeting of the Council reference was made by Councillor Crowther to an alleged complaint made by the Pousonby Board re night caits. This is a mistake. It was the Farangahape Board that complained, and not Punsouby. I do not pen this through animus or prejudice as I may state that I am v thorough stranger to the contractor, but simply for tho bcuefit of the public—l am, Sec, Pho Bono Publico. '

The missionaries of the Church Society at Mpwapwa, in Africa, have been much impoverished by the incursions of the Masai and other neighbouring tribes who carry off oxen and sheep. Une of thn missionaries has been tryiug experiments in raising ostriches, and has met with un expected snecess. Ho says that next year each ostrich will yield £30, in feathers and little ostriches. He further says that ostrich farms can be made to support nearly all the mission stations in that part of Africi.

lor the current term of tho Pioneer Lodge, No. 1., 1.U.G.T.. the following officers wero duly installed by the U.G.W.G.T., Bro. Thorne, asniited by Bros. Ellis and Prince :—W.C.T., Bro. Bill; P.W.C.T., Bro. Dimes; W.V.T., liro. Bottrill; W.S., Bro. Kew; W.0., Bro. ' Williams ; W.A.S., Bro. Birley : W.T., Bro. Hemua; W.M., Martin; W.D.M., Sis. Dimes; W.1.G., Bro. Lee. The reports of the retiring oilicers showed the Lodge to be in a flourishing condition, aud likely, at no distant date, to assume its former position as the favourite temperance oil<:e of tho North Island.

St. Valentine's day was, as usual, ushered in with the annual circulation among Auck land's fair sons and daughters of cards, jewellery, and other symbols of futuio bliss and gynarchy, both from would-be uxorious swains and many poor, unfortunate out of-the-way-polican-in-the-wilderness young damsels who have evidently been on the lookout for partners for some time. Our local urbane postmen say they have had a most active time of it, and that the number of valentines, etc., distributed this year is considerably larger than on any former occasion. Tho greater portion of these laconic billet donx, it appears, csusists of vituporativo utterances of scorn and con tempt for some deceitful action in thu past, while others wero seething over with what tho world calls love, &c. Tho following, which was written inside one of the missives by a certain relined young lady, may be cited as a fair sample :—

" You pig, you ling, you dirty (log, You think tlioladles lova you; Hut I'll lot you know bufi.ro I no, I think mysolf ahovo you." Our American cousins have truly a most eccentric way of transacting business some times, as will bo Been by tho following :—A few days ago a cnte Ynnkoo called in at a lihotogruphcr's shop. Seeing a large picture hanging up, ho inquisitively asked: " What's that 'ere pictur!" " That's a pic ture of the sun," replied tho photographer. "What! thin'eres the .sun ? Um—leminte sen. What distance is it from the earth ?" The astonished photographer informed him —"92,000,000 miles." "Ahlis it so— that's curious. Look bore, boss, I want you to take my brother's photo." "Very good." said the photographer, " let me see him " You can't," says Jonathan, " lie's in Melbourne." "Oh, then it will be im possible for mo to tako him." "Now, look licre, boss ; how is it you can take the sun, which is <)2,000,000 of miles away, and yet you can't tuku my brother who is only 1,600 miles oil? Good morniu'."

Tho following intprcstiuff account illus trative of the habits of bees is telegraphed by the Press Association at Christchurch ; -"An extraordinary eight was witnessed this week in a private apiary. It was no less than a wholesale massacre of the drone?. Peoplo generally aro not aware that in every thriving colony of houcy-bces there is during the summer months an im mense nuuibtruf drones. The hive under no lice ia an exceptionally large onr, and the dronoH have been proportionately numerous. The extremely hot weather at the begiuuing of this week hud tho eflect of almost- entirely stopping the supply of nectar, and the boos tlieioupoii took steps for clearing out the non-productive memberaof their community. During the intense heat of Moudny after noon, a number ot worker bees ranged them selves in a fnily compact double line before the entranco to this large hive. They readily enough made way for drones to leave the hive, but they permitted none toroturn. In Ihe evening, tho unusually large number alighting on the board, which was covered with a dense mass ot these unfortunate drones, showed that it was perfectly cvi dout that the wretched insects knew their fate. Th>-y were huddled together like a great mob of frightened sheep, and just like a well trained collcy may be necu making liii way over the backs of euch a mob, so were Rome worker bees advancing steadily over the.«e possessors of hungry stomachs and lazy dispositions, but as the workers advanced they emitted the peculiarly sharp note which every apiarian recognises aR mtauins mischief. An occasional quiver among Ihi" 'lark ma?s told of iii deadly thrust siren, liy-and-by, the workers woro failing awsiy trom the hivo, etch one carrying n l> .ly much bigger than hia own, and in tho courso of a few hours, the work having been continued into tho night, scarcely a trace of the massacre wns left."

Mr Alfred Russell Wallace, in his new work, " Island Life; or The Phenomena and Causes of Insular Faunas and Floras, including a Uevi-ion aud Attempted Solu tion of the Problem of Geological Climates," makes various allunions to New Zealand. He begins by pointing out the most strik ing problems of distribution, such an the remarkable similarity of the Fauna of two inlands so rcmote'as Japan and Britain, and the total dissimilarity of the Fauna of Mew Zealand and its neighbour Australia. He detint* the six great zoological regions already familiar to the readers of his former work?, and taking evolution as the key to distribution, he points out thst discon tinuity is a proof of antiquity. Diversity ot circumstances and want of mutual inter courso he considers with time is quite sufli cicnt to weed out intermediate individuals. New Zealand and tho Alcbc* he classes as anomalous island?, and gives inßenious ex planations of their peculiarities. The work on New Zealand is particularly full, and (he theories Mr Wallace starts to account for, the zoological and botanical peculiarities of that unaccountable country, are particularly interesting, if rather too startling to be "immediately accepted. Mr Wallace remains so far, however, the greatest, if nottheonly, recognized authority on his subject, and "Island Life" will by no means diminish his reputation.

Mr W. W. Itobins^n announces, by advertisement on our front pauo, that ho has opened up now Bhipments of lawn tennis imple ments, foncing, nud cricket matorlalß, and a variety of other Ramos; and that rotrular ship monts of similar Roods will be rooolvsd.

A mectiuc of amateur violinists is con vened for Monday, for tho purposo of forming a musical eocletr.

This week's "Observer," ready to-mor row, contains etchings of Sir Goo. CRorko, " That Glengarry," and thorooplo'a Champion; a splendid engraving of a Maori tangl; fashion platoi, &c. Tho reading mattor Includes "A Nineteenth Century Paradieo" (oontinued) " What wo are wearing in London," " Avis aux Demoiselles." Rhymes for tho Tiniof, "Tho Nelson Confcronco," Political Prophecies, Vo gel's Return, Waikato whisporlngs, To Aroba arrows, "Old Turflto" on tho Duncdin Cup, and an unnaually large budget of social, sport ing, and thoatrical Items.- [Advt.]

SPORTING INT ELLIGENCE.

[BY TKLEGRAI'H, OWN COBEESPOSDENT.J

DUNE DIM, this day. IN the absenco of Northern contingent little intcresr is taken iv the doings at Forbury, although a good deal of strong wook has lately been done by loc»lly-owncd horsos, Mr Goodtnau was the first to put in appearance with a string of live, aud opened the proceedings by sending Titania and Salvanus a mile-and-a-hnlf nt about half speed, both looking and moving well. Play Boy did a steady gallop once round. LcLoup, who is looking very flue, did only walk ing exercise. Native Cat, who seems much improved in Goodman's hands. He trotted a [inilo-and-a-lialf in grand style. Kane stripped Lady Emma and Legerdemain, sending them half-a. mile at a good pac?, both show plenty of quality; but the former is rather light looking. Ged. Dodson's team did some useful work, and is looking well. Cotton commenced by sending Carrigan twico round—this candidate for jump ing honors finishing in fine style. The colts Moa Bird and Mameluke had a regular breather live time 3 round the tan with the {sweater on. Sir William and Maude followed, going twice round at a good pace, and Jasper did a service able gallop by himself, Trainers complain that the course is very rough and bumpy, and allc!,i:ig that in its present condition fast work cannot be done with safety. Sir Modred is a firm fayorite| for the Cup; also Titania, but definite quotations can hardly yet be given.

JDUNEDIN, this day.

TIPS ON THE RACES.

"Pegasus" goes for Sir Modrcd, Le Loup, On Dit, Virginia Water, and Titania in the the order named ; but expects to find his views modified aa the day draws near.

London does not possess all the '' esthe tics." 'Iho other evening in tho rcstauiaut of an up town hotel a young lady said : " With tho beefsteak and onions pleaso bring me some of those fried potatoes as brown and crisp aa falling autumn-leavee."

SCINTILLAIIONS.

"Bo brief; tor it la wtn words as with Bun beams: tho moro thoy aro oondonaed, we deopor thoy burn."—Soothey.

The Bishop of Auckland confirmed twenty two young people at New Plymouth last Saturday evening. Where were all the opponents or tram mays yesterday ? Mr O'Brien, the contractor for To Kore bridge, is pushing rapidly ahead with the work. Dr. Lemon declines to reduce the tele phone subscriptions from £17 10s to £1010s. He says that in Melbourbe the subscription is £20 a year. The Cambridge Farmer's Club decs not keep op its old spirit. Only seven mem bers attended to hear the President's essay at last meeting. Diphtheria is very prevalent in JNew York. Out of 129 easo in Brooklyn in one week, 32 were fata). The census of tlie United States, taken last year, chews that the ratio of increase among the negro population is greater than among the whites. 'Xhe export of kauri gum. for the last three' months of 1880 was 1,320 tons, value £57,582 ; of sawn timber, 3,325,493 feet, value £16,674. The Auckland crew which won the cham pion gig race is ready to pull any other crew for whotovcr sum thoy like to name. An intimation to that effect has been sent to the Whites. The Gas Company placed two hundred oi their £5 new eharea at an average ol over £10 There were 569 shares applied for, showing at loast £5,690 seeking invest ment. .., , Waikato plays the Waipa Gnckct Club at Cam bridge on the 28 th. The Tay bridge is to be rebuilt. Bridget snys that it should have a good draw to it in order to make it strong. She is evidently thinking of her favourite beverage, which is always to he fouud on the kitchen stove. Mr Barn" has purchased all Mr P. Leslie's Tamahcre estate at between £7 and £8 an aero. In the cricket match, Canterbury v, Otagojnext week, Messra Ashby.Fullcr.Fow ler, (captain), Fowhc, Godbcr, Hartland, Redman. Watson, Ollivier, Secrctan, aud Corfe will represent Canterbury. When you hear a young lady very care fully pay," "I haven't saw," you may be quite conlident that she is a recent graduate from one of the most thorough of our numerous female seminaries. Mr J. Allwill, of Taroahere, fell from his horse aud broke his thigh. He was found lying iv hi.s paddock insensible. Ur. Wad dington set the limb. An American Organ, introduced into a Presbyterian Church at Toronto, Cauadn; caused a tremendous storm, and the offend ing "kist-o-whistlcs" wag forcibly carried out and deposited on tho pavement. At the Land Conference, held in Dublin, mi M.P. perpetrated tho following Irish bull, lie said that "he thought that their primary duty should bo to ask what was reasonable and fair, and accept a» much less as they possibly could." Cambridge Town Board complainH that it decs not get a fair share of County Sub sidies, mid Mr X, Kirkwood has been appointed to urf-e the rights of the town. The Board intends to level tho road to the lake, gravel the footpath, aud form (Juccu street.

KabbiU arc not an unqualified evil. The the colony was enriched in the last three months of 1880, by £20,5711, the estimated export value of the kkius of 2,204,100 bunion which had been alaußhtered ! The value ot rabbit (.kino exported is double timt of the sheep akins sent out of the colony. p Tla not beoauto my heart Is cold. That to your side I do not draw; And In ray urms your form enfold, As waning moons last summer saw. I ullll regard and worship you, Tho lovliost maid of all this nation : But my r. setvo Is owldr to Tho taklriK of my vaccination.

The Harford "Sunday Journal" wants an answer to tho question, "Why docs a hen fio across a road ?" There are two reasons—First, because the opposite neigh bour has just i>!nntcd some very choice seed ; and, Bccond, the hen goes across the road because it i» so long she can't go around it. What's tho reward ?

"'TIs not thn valuo of tho gift That friendship's hand may tondor 'Tla not the thln«'» intrinsic worth (Thoiißh gem of rarest uplondor.") But when you come to make a tcitl (And don't you e'er forget it) You'd better buy your (flrl tho b:st, Or you will o'er regret It-

One of our society young ladies was out walking, when her attention was directed to some trees. When she was told that one of them was a fir tree, she exclaimed, " Üb, Theodore ! now do you really mean that my encque grow on a trco like tttat? How ridiculous I" Theodore thought it was ridiculous too, but he didn't say so. Tho fact that Tom Paine, the infidel write:, requested shortly before his death that his remains mieht be buried in a Quaker burial ground near New York — which, however, was refused by tho " Friends "-leads to the conclusion that he, in a measure, modified his belief. The recent suicide of M. Andenvcrt, President of the Swi?s Confederation, is attributed to' temporary insanity. lie believed his life endancered by fccret enemies ; and the relatively email majority by which he was recently elected President is said to have greatly di«appointed him. Asphalt, or rather bitumous concrete, is coming larcely into uso in Paris as tho foundation for machinery. Its recommen dation is eaid to be great power of absorbing vibration.

Burnouf's contention that the story of Christ was merely a reproduction of the legend of Krishna is now thoroughly ex ploded, for it is now generally acknowledged by scholars that the worship of Krishna did not arise in India earlier than the fifth or sixth century of our era.

THE TRA M WAY QUESTION.

THE poll of ratepayers which was takeu yesterday, to decido whether or not the construction of tramway in the city should be permitted, resulted as follows :— For tramways 319 Against 16

Majority for tramwayß ... 303 There were twoinformal votes. The steady rain which fell through the day prevented many, who would otherwise have done so, from" recording their Totes. There are about oue thousand ratepayers en the roll, and, as each only exercises a single rote, it will be observed that about one-third of the burgesses proceeded to tho ballot.

ANNA MAMA HALL.

I AMONG the later items of news from the old land is the announcement of the death of Anna Mnria Hall, the papular Irish authoress for half a century. Anna Maria Fielding was a handsome Irish lass, scarcely twenty when she accepted in marriage tho hand of Samuel Carter Hull in 1824. Early marriages, hastily performed, often poison lives, but it was otherwiso with tho Halls ; their married life was prosperous and com paratively hrppy ; their tastes were similar, and they laboured pleasantly together, pro ducing jointly such books aa " Ireland ; its Sceucry and Character," and the "Book of British Ballads." Mrs Hall, however, achieved her fame through such works as the " Buccaneer,1'" A Woman's Story," and especially by her " Lights and Shadows of Irish Character," and "Stories of tho Irish Peasantry." Perhaps the most successful veuturo of tho lialls was their well - known "Art Jourflal," in which they were materially as sisted by Mr Jnines Dafforue, and other art critic. The Halls resided at Brompton, near London, for many years, bat iv order to avoid too uumerous "calls," they removed iv 1853 to a quiet village in Surrey, known as Addlestont, and occupied "Firlield," a retired house in that neighbourhood. It was thero that 1 saw the Halls ; and Mis Hall kindly perused a manuscript of mine, of which she made free use ia ono of her sketches in her "Pilgrimages to English Shiines." I found both Mr and Mrs Hall genial aud conirauuicativo. Mr Hall was tall and gentlemanly—in fact one of tho plea.«antcst and complaisant men 1 ever had the pleasure of meeting, fee was full of. promises in connection with my little book, and would get his artist-friend, Mr Fairholt to, do two illustrations for me, which that gentleman executed' with much fidelity for Mrs 11 all's article, but not for my book—he always having some excuse for keeping thorn back. Weary of waiting, my book appeared without the woodcuts. Had a very good circulation, and was favourably noticed by Mrs Hall, Altogether, despite the disappointment, I was pleased with the Halls in their quiet home, of which they subsequently grew weary, and exchanged for their old home in the busier and more fashionable suburb of Brompton. Mrs Hall did good service by her tracts and small works on temperance and morality, and by which she deservedly won the esteem of the friends of progress. Iv 1874, the Ualls kept up their golden wedding, which was quito an event in the literary world; and now, after fifty six years of harmonious wedded life, the veteran editor, iv his 80th year, must keenly feel tho loss of the womau who has been his literary companion and wife for more than half a century, , J.B, '

CABLEGRAMS.

IKKUTKK'S TKLKGBAMS.

EUROPEAN

THE WOOL SALES.—FuII til Price.

LONDON, February 15,

The March series of wool sales opened 10-dny Prices generally shew a decline ot 8i per cent, compared with closing rates of last auctions.

AUSTRALIAN.

ARRIVAL OF SUEZ MAIL,

ALBANY, February IG. The P. & 0. Company's steamship Brin disi, with the inward Suez Mail, arrived at King George's Sound to-day, en route for Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. RACING. MELBOURNE, February IC. Thero are ten acceptances for the Austra lian Cup, aud 32 for the Handicap.

WAIKATO TURF CLUB.

SUMMER MEETING.

(DV TELEGRAPH, OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Patrjn: Ills Excellency tho Governor, Bir Arthur Gordon. President: Lloutcnant-Colonel Lyon. Vice-President,: Captain Wil'iam Steele. Judge •Dr Waddinßton. Stewards: Messrs Whyto. "Whitaker, Northcrott, Storey, Taylor, Carpenter. Claude, BucklaDd, Major Jackson. Starter :Mr C. Storey. Clerks of tho Course : Mossrs O. Pilllnu and J. Taylor. Clerk of the Scales: Mrß. McLernon. Handio&ppers : Com mittee and Captain Handley. lion Treasurer: f ' ' KOBKKT BRADLEY, Secretary.

HAMILTON, this day. It is fine weather. There is only a small attendance on the course. The racing pro mises to be good. Lone Hand, I hear, ii to be reserved for the Handicap, ho I shall expect to see Harry Mount and Spoit3man fight hard for the Hurdles. King Quail, I fancy, for the Cup, and Mr Walters' Choice or Maori for the Turf Club Handicap. In a Calcutta Sweep on the Waikato Tiuf Club Handicap drawn at the Commercial Hotel last night, value £26 10s, Hippo campus fetched £3 10a ; Lone Hand, £7 15s; Golden Crown, £3 ; Yatapa, £2 5a ; Maori, £3 10s; Kenilworth, £1 ss; and King Quail, £7 ss. In the Calcut'a Hurdle Sweep of same amount, Blink Bonny fetched £4 ; Tempest, £1 ; Harold, £1 ; Sportsman, £6 5s ; Harry Mount. £8 ; Lone Hand, £1; Te Whetu was passed in, .

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURT.-This Day.

(Before J. E. Macdonald, Esq., K,M.)

JUDGMENT FOII PLAINTIFFS.

In the following cases judgment went for jilaintiHs by default :—Jno. Jervis v. Benjamin Thompson, £1, for damage? ; Ed. Wayte v. Win. Hiegs, £3 4i, promissory note; Arch. Clark mid Sons v. Harriett Matthews, £40 7h 5-1, goods : Wm. Craig v. Jno. Thorp, £25 15s, promissory note; Okaliu Highway Board v. John Johii'on, £ll 5h 2d, rates; Jno. Smith v, G. Foote, £1 18s, balance ot account; Robert Row v. Walter 15. Clihsp, £3 sd, goods ; Herman Mattison v. Henry Reid, £3 3s Bd, account rendered ; Laurence Cosgrave v. J. Guoson, £1 9« 6d, boardlnndlodging ; Henry Hulrae v. Abraham Bowden, £5 7s 6'd, judgment summons ; Geo. Foster v. A, C. Joslin, £13 14s 9d, goods; Geo. Foster v. James Dil worth, £19 6s 3d, promissory note. ADJOURNED CASKS. Herman Mattison v. Edward Thornton ; Kellv v. Evans; W. L. Posseneskie v. Edward Shepherd ; Somerfield and Lock v. Jno. Keir; Hoag v. Machattie ; Robertson Bros. v. Daniel Munro; Vealcv. Duff; W. Cocbranc v. J. Mullally ; Okahu Highway Board v. Wm. Aickeu; Gorman v. Mayhew. DEFENDED CASES. J. C. McKaister & Co. v. J. B. Ellis. —Claim, £116s, for advertising in "Mer cantile Gazettee."—Mr George appeared fea plaintiff.—J. C. McKaister deposjd that the amouut|was for three months' advertis ing in the " Mercantile Gazette.' Received an order from Mr HUis to insert the adver tisement. The amount was payable monthly. Defendant had paidsomething on account. The amount of £1 ]5s is still owing. His agent held that Mr Ellis gave order for two months';insertion. —Thomao Armstrong being sworn deposed: Was canvasser for Mr Kaistcr. Understood that Mr Kaistcr arranged for three months. Went and saw Mr Ellis at the end of the first month, and said he might as well keep it on for the remainder of the term. Col lected the first ISs. Went afterwards for the other two months, and Mr Ellis ob jected. s»yinc he did not think he had the right number (13), advertisements. I went for tho papers and pointed the advertise ments out to him, but he declined to look at them.—Defendant said that when the ISs was paid he asked to have the adver tisement inserted for another month, and that he would consider whether he would give thtm the third month.—Judgment for plaintiff for £1, costs 9s.

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A full meeting of this Council was held yesterday, and, in addition to the business reported in our last issue, the following was transacted :—

Subsidy.—A letter was received from the secretary of the Treasury, enclosing a copy of a voucher respecting the subsidy, showing that tho total amount was £389 19s 3d, out of which had been deducted £S9 for hospital and £147 for charitable aid. The balance £153 19s 3d was lodged to tho credit ot the Council.

Stewart's Flat.—A letter from Messrs Hesketh and Richmond on behalf of Mr Stewart, of Hclleusville, was read by the Chairmau, stating that Mr Stewart could notagrec to thestiggestiou, respecting the diversion of this road, of the council that no compensation Would be claimed by him on account of the proposed diversion of road through his property. At the last meeting of the Council it was agreed that the work cf making this road should uot be proceeded with unless Mr Stewart gave a guarantee that no compensation would be claimed for the deviation of the road.— The Chairmau ana Mr Lamb having ex plained certain matters to the Council, the Chairman moved, " That until the resolu tion of the last meeting be carried into clFect, and a guarantee given by Mr Stewart, the work be not proceeded with."—Mr Dilworth seconded. — Before) the motion was pnt, Mr Alison complained that either the Chairman or the Secretary had acted in a most unbusinesslike manner. Why, in the face of that resolution, was the bond sent before the guarantee was received ?—The Chairman said the bond was not sent to the contractor (McNaughtou) at all, and it was a dereliction of duty on Mr Stewart's part to have taken it to McNaughton, and ho had no right to do so.—Mr James believed that Mr Lamb would take the letter up, and after Stewart had signed the guarantee he would get the bond signed. When he (the Chairman) saw what had taken place, ho did everything he could to rectify It, and instructed tho Engineer not to proceed with the work, and the Secretary not to com municate with the contractor or Mr Stewart until after this meeting. —It was stated in the course of discussion that tho bond was enclosed by mistake in a letter to Mr Stewart, and although tbo letter said the road would not be proceeded with unless the claim to compensation were waived, the bond was given to the contractor and signed. —Mr Siuclair said from the very first there had been factious obstruction to the diver sion of the road in question. They had spent £1100 on the road, and had uot tnken into consideration the question of com pensation. He opposed the resolution, and thought the work should proceed, for if this contract was not carried out, the ex penditure of £1100 would be worthless. He believed Mr Stewart would be as easy to deal with as any man could be, and the road was required, and the Council had received petition after petitiou in favour of the road from tho residents. It was the main road from Port Albert to Helen9ville, and if it was not made, it would barricade the road to the railway station.—Mr Sinclair then moved, "That the work be carried on without delay."—The Chairman considered the motion out of order, and so ruled.—Tho original motion was then put and carried.—lt was further resolved, "That solicitor's opinion be taken as to Mr McNaughton's contract."

Travelling Expenses. -Mr Alison will move at the next meeting of the Council " Tuat members be paid for travel ling expenses in attending Council meet ings."

Accounts.—The current accounts were parsed for payment and cheques signed. The Council then rose.

Tbe Wesleyan Sunday-school conceit, nt Cambridge, was a great success. Mosm Houghton and Mackintosh received merited votes of thanks.

ST. JAMES' PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING;

The annual meeting of the members ami adherents of &■■ James' congregation wag held in the St. James' Hall last evening. There was a Rood at.endanco, the pastor Key. E. P. Macnicul, presiding. The meet' ing was opened with the singing of a por. tion of tlie 89tli psalm, after which the Chairman engaged in prayer;

The Chairman, in his opening remarks' said ho would not detain his hearera with any set address of hia own, but would say that he was personally thankful for the outward prosperity which had been experienced during the past twelve months. Of the spiritual prosperity during that period he could say but little. There were indications of good having been derived by some souls, but he was averse to bringing into publicity such private inter. viewß as might then present themselves to his mind. He could scarcely doubt that the prosperity experienced was the outcome of a spiritual interest among the members of the congregation, and hoped that the year on which they were entering would prove a still more successful era of congregational life, and that they would wax stronger and stronger as they still went on. He would call upon the secretary (Mr J. C. Mackjj to read the minutes of the last two annual meetings, Kibk Session Report.—Mr Thomas Macky read the report of the kirk eesßion for the year ending 1880. The report act forth that the session received with grati. tudc the oncoaraging outward prospects attending them during the period, expired since they last presented their report, and hoped for the continuance of the same; The church service had been well attended and the sittings were full. Nineteen c&mmnni. cants had been added to their number, btit this was not so large a number as might be expected, and out of the nineteen but three' were young members. During the year two members had left the church, and two had been taken away by by death. The prayer meetings had been held regularly and with much bet'er attendance than previously, and the Bible class, although not attended so largely as its importance merited, was encouraging. The Sabbath-school was also in a prosperous condition, and the number of scholars on the roll now stood at 370, with an average attendance of 289, being an increase of 50 during the year, while the staff of teachers numbered 51, being an increase of eight. They were not only prospering as regarded numerical proficiency, for recently two new infant classes had been formed as well as another Bible class. Twenty scholars com. peled in the Presbytery examination last year, and with but one exception, all were successful. The school library contained 370 volumes, £6 had been collected fur tli3 mission vessel, and £101 for various school purposes. The church choir was elh'cientiy maintained under the directorship of Mrs Mitchell and *"r hce«, anii to both leaders and members of tho choir he desired to tenderthcir thank?, The St. James' Mutual Improvement As> sociation, although not immediately con nected with the church, remains bs flourishing as ever, and hold their meetings at the back of the hall during session. The report concluded with a hope that they, would accomplish still greater things in the future than in the past, and "Be never weary in.well doing."—On the motion of Mr Thomas Macky, seconded by Mr P. Macky, the report was adopted.

Commutes of management. — Tie report read by Mr J. C. Macky congratulated the congregation on the' manifest success during the year, and expressed thankfulness for lha same, By the balance-sheet it would be seen that the revenue of both fro-n pew vents and Sabbath collection!) showed an in* crease on the past year. After the seat letting in July a number of t-ealholdera , still remaiued in arrears, and declined to 1 pay them. The committee, therefore, passed a resolution that the names of all seatholders in arrears for six months should not appear upon pew tickefs, and that their sittings should be deemed to be open to bo let to new applicants. During the past yenr new seats had been erected for the choir, by special subscription. The com. mittee "regretted that they had not been able, through Jack of the necessary funds, to improve the lighting of the church. With - regard to St. James' Hall, the committee re-' port that Mr Wetson's generous offer of £100 if they raised £200 had.been accepted, and £233 actually paid in to the treasurer for that object. Mr Mahoney's account for plans had also been paid, co that the debt on the ball, which at tue beginning of last year stood at £1475, was now reduced to £1125. Of this amount £1000 had been 1 secured no a mortgage of five years at 7 per (cent., remainder on bill payable to Mr Watson in July. It was hoped that strenuous efforts would be made to p&y off this £125, when the liability of committee lof management would be reduced to £70 per annum, annual interest on mortgage, hevenue of hall, when ordinary expenditure of year, £42, was deducted, showed a sorry balance of £2 ; a small contribution towards the annual charge for interest on tuilding. The splendid harmonium bo long lent by Mr Kec3 fur use in public worship ■was about to be removed, and steps would hare to be taken to replace it. Several other,' minor matters were dealt with at some., length.—The report was adopted. ACCOUNTS.—TheTreasurer(MrT.Macky) reail the following statement of accounts, to Dec. 31,1880:—St, James' Presbyterian^ Church. Receipts : Balance uccouut cur- ' rent, £15 ISs lid ; Sabbath collections for all purposes, £486 12s 4d ; pew rents, £273 ss; mission boxes, £2 3s ; portion collection general assembly soiree, £6 16s 8d; col lected for choir seats, £46 10s ; balance due treasurer, £4 Us Gd; total, £834 17a 6cL Expenditure, £83417s 9d. St. James' Hall Dr.: To balance account and rent, £514s 7d; Mr Watsou, interest on mortgage, £116; Mr Mahoney, plans, &c.,£2s;Mr Watson on mortgage, £1325 ; miscellaneous, £76 9« Dd; tctal, £1548 4a 2d. Ur.: By subscriptions as per list, £232 4s; donation, Mr Watson, £100; transfer from church funds, £100 J amount on mortgage, £1000; miscellaneous, f £51 2a 10d; balance due treasurer, £64 12s 4d : total, £1548 4s 2d. Liabilities: Pro- ! misßory note Mr Watson, £125 ; mortgage, £1000 ; balance due treasurer, £64 17s 4d: total, £11S9 14 4d. The accounts were certi fied by Messrs W. J. Recs and W. Leva, ' auditors. In a memo, appended to the statement, Mr W. J. Rees suggested the advisability of keeping the church and hall l 5 accounts separate. — The report was:/ adopted. Committee.— The following gentlemen wore elected a committee for the ensuing year:—Messrs W, Gorrie, W. Smith, Sin ton, J. Falconer, W. Parker, T. Smart, J. Crombie, and Drinkwater. Auditoks.— Messrs T. Drnmmond and O. Alexander were elected auditors.

Psalmody Committee.—The committee which was appointed last year handed in their resignation, for the reason that they had no power to act under the Court ..> of Session.—Tho request was adopted, i Lighting Chuboh.—Mr Burns introdu- '■' ced the question of providing the church with more light, aud moved that a subscription be now takeu up for-that purpose.—Mi Tlioa. Macky seconded, aud the motion being car-"' ried, the two gentlemen went round and> secured promises amounting to £8 3?. —Mr S McCoskrie said the estimates for lighting the chinch sent in were £28. £34, and £40 respectively.—Mr J.. C. Macky niored; "That the matter be left to the Committee I of Management." —Mr J. Alexander,, seconded.—Mr T. Macky proposed as an amendment, " That the matter be gooe on' with."- Mr Burns seconded.—The question was then put to the meeting, and resulted— For the amendment, 11 ; for tho motion, - 15. -The latter was thereforo declared car ried.

Late auditors.— Mr J. X Hanrm, as one of the late auditors, took exception to the statement made by Mr Eecs with refer ence to the mauncr iv which the. accounts ; were kept, and Btatcd that during his term of oflicfi the .accounts were nlso kept in » clear and concise manner, and any school boy could understand them. Amendment of Church Constituton. —Mr J. C. Macky moved—"That the Committee of Management be requested to draw H]> a code of constitutional laws for the management of churdh affairs, and a that such laws be printed and distributed throughout the congregation. The Chair mau thought that it was very desirable that something of the kind should be done; and said that as be would be at the next meeting of the General Assembly he would look after the matter, and urge upon that body the necessity of making some BUCO laws for the government of the wholo ot ( the churches." A vote of thanks to the . Chairman brought the meeting to a close.

Some sjiUndid cattle have been f eot lo the Thames from Mr Luck worthy's estate, f'iako. . A new peach introduced]from Shanghai, China, has been a great success in tuo United Suites. It i% described as bema roundish, oblong in shape. The ties" « white, red at the stoce, to which it clings, very juicy, meltiDg, and ot excellent qusility. Many of these peaches measure uiue and a half inches in circumference each, and weigh eight ounces.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, THURSDAY FEBRUARY 17.



AND TKAVELLEKS Vialtintf Auckland will flnd tho LARGEST OUTFITTING TSTOCK IN THE COLONS To Select from at THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Thousands of Customers testify to tho Qui'kriok /Duality & Twitting Of the Garments made by them. Tho Stock of SFIIRT3, TIES, HATS, and HOSIERT, la very large, and includes a CHOICE . ASSORTMENT UF NOVEL V.I E S FOR THE HOLIDAYS. A special supply of PORTMANTEAUX BAGS, RUGS, and all Travelling Requisites for Tourists. AUCKLAND BRANCH: Queen-street (opposite Theatre Royal), And at Albert street, Thames. J. mZSTMONa Manaokr ■Jl/T IL N E & rf^lH 0Y C E ABE NOW SELLING, AT REDUCED RATES, THE BALANCE OF THEIR SUMMER MILLINERY, FIOHUS, MANTLES, L&DIKS' AND CHILDREN' 3 COSTUMK3, BOYS' SDI TS, &C. Speoial attention is drawn to tho very complete Stock of Children's and Ladies' UNDERCLOTHING, BABY-LINEN, HOSIERY, &C. MILNE & CHOYCE. qTOCK-TAKIJNU i>AKGAINS. In preparation for Rtoclr-taking, WILLIAM RATTRAYhas! REDUCED THE PRICES OF HIS LARGE AND WELL-ASSOKTED STOCK OF QUMMER QOSTUME3, Wj-ANTLES, AND -jyiLLINKRY, In order to efftsct a clearance. CO3TUME3 at 123 6d Reduced to 9a Gd COSTUMEB at 193 6d Reduced to Is 3 COSTUMES at 25s Reduced to 19a 6d COSTUMES at 30s Reduced to 25a COSTUMES at 353 Reduced to 2Sa Gl COSTUMHS at 459 Reduced to 37s 6d MANTLES and MILLINEHY are Reduced in - eimilar proportions, f AT ■vy ILLI AM JD ATTRAY'S ostumb, Mantle, Millimehy, & General Drapery Establishment, th NKW ZKALAND HOUSB, 66, QUEEN-STKEET, AUCKLAND.



Special Advertisements. •vr e~w o o d s VBff A. LINABUBY & CO. Aro Now Showing their NEW SPRING AND SUMMER GOODS. Wo hold the Largest and Boat Stock of COSTUMES, MILLINERY FANCY GOODS, DRKS3 GOOD 3 FLOWKKS, FEATHERS, &C, &C. Special Lino of Plain Dress Silks, only 3a lid por yard; worth 5s 6d. 5,000 Straw Hats, all now Bhapea. A Largo Stock of Ladies' and CMldron'B Under clothing. Dress and Mantle-making on tho promlsos Costumes inado in 21 hours'notice A. LINABUKY & CX 204 AND 206, UUKBN-HTHKKT QUK ANNUAL SALE WILL COMMKNOK ON MONDAY, 20th ikst. THE GOODS WILL BK OFFERED AT nOST puICEI FOR A FEW WEEKS ONLY ! In Order to Clear Heavy Stocks T r)OBGKAVE & riO., Importers pf DRAPERY AND CLOTHING, queen street. Auckland. N. B, —No Goads will be entered durinz the Sale, ¥EW -r\ Re s s nooi)s. WANTED KNOWN: pOOD TJSEFUL T)RKS3 ]yjATERIALS ARE BEING SOLD AT HALF PRICE. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN'S. Is Od Materials k>u 9d. Wo havo bought a largo JOB LOT of tho above, and are giving our Customors tho benefit. FANCY DRESS MATERIAL In Great Variety, 43-AT A HEAVY REDUCTION'S* off usual prices to Clem: Our During The Sss/so.y. A Fjresh Lot op good ciik a p twk k d good cheap twekd for Boys' Wear wtJust To Hand."** 5% Discount (Is in the £) allowed off all CASH Purchases of 20j and Upwards. T3USHBROOK & T3RIDGMAN, DRAPERS & CLOTHIERS {Opposite tho Army and Navy Hotel], Upper Quekn-street, Auckland VT7" INKJU& ITALL. HAVE REMOVED FROM SHORTLAND-STREET TO TEMPORARY PREMISES IN FORT STREET, OPPOSITE COCHRANE ASP SON'S AUCTIOI MART, AND WILL CONTINUE THKIR CHEAP SALI FOR A FEW WEEKS LONGER, TO CLEAR SURPLUS STOCK. THEY W.ILL BEMAIN IN FORT-STREET DURING THE EE-EUILDING OK THEIE WAX* HOUSE IH SnOETLAND'STREET. CIROWDS assembled last Saturday Even. J ing to inspect the "Greatest Novelty ol the Ago," exhibited at the City Hall Aicade, consisting of Patent Umbrellas with Movable Covers, so constructed that they can be removed from the frame or replaced in a few seconds; framessnpericr to old style; tho covers novol and economical. First introduced to the A nek land public by OARLICK & CRANWBLL. ANOTHfi! i NOVELTY lathe "HartzMonn. tain Kug," first seen on this side of the world at the Sydney Exhibition. Tho under signed were so struck with the handsome appearance, beautiful finish, and durable con struction of these Rugs that they at once sent for a large shipment, wh'ch are now finding ready eale. They are suitable fcr Tonrista, Carriage Hugs, Golddiggers, and Travellers by land and sea, as the warmth and comfort Imparted surpaßS all other woollen Rags. Only obtainable at the City Hall Arcade. GARLICK & CRANWELL, Proprietors. Q|l-INCH GREY SHKETING (unusually O" hoavy and wide); First-clas3 quality; a large quantity juat opened; -will be sold at 1b 6d to clear quickly. GARLICK & CRANWBLL. CHILDREN S Two Button' Kid Gloves Ladies' Kid-Stitched Back (sound), la 6d[per pair Boys' Jersey Suits (with caps), 13s 6d Men's White Shirts, a line at Ss.lld, worth 7s 6d Black Silk and Chenille Fringe, 2s 6d (very good) GARLICK & CRANWKLL. BLACK BILKS at Co-operative Prines, We study to sell the Cheapest Black Silks in Town, commencing at 2s 91 up to 11s Gil. Our 4s 6d quality commands a ready sale—splendid GARLICK & CRANWELL. END OF SEASON, Clearing onfc of Rem nants. A quantity of Remnants are cleared off every Friday and Saturday, at Cheap Rates, by GARLICK & CRANWBLL. REMNANTS of Dreas Goods and Trimmings RBMNANTd of Prints and Sateens REMNANTS of Ribbons and Embroidery REMNANTS of Sheeting and Flannel RKMNANTS of Tweeds and Moleskin REMNANTS of Damask and Cretonnes RBMNANT DAYS, Friday and Saturday at tho CITY HALL ARCADE. ARLICK & CRANWELL ATkBAPERJT AND /CLOTHING U \y AT v _ /CO-OPERATIVE CASH Vy' PRICES, PURE n ASH UYSTKM URK VASH SYSTEM ' AT THB piTY TTALL A^OADK, Quebn-Street, Auckland. GAKLICKI& CRANWELL. fIELEGRATH LIiNE OF COACHES. HAMILTON TO TE AROHA. W. K. Carter's COACHES will run Daily to o GoMflolilK. Booking Office: Gwynno's Hotel, Hamilton. I W. K. CARTJJR.



Special Advertisements. XUST RECEIVED, AMERICAN LAWN-SPIUNKLERS, With Platod Arms. Also, LAWN EDGE-CUTTERS, Quito Now. E. 1' O U T E It & C 0., QUKKN AND ifIQH 6TWEETS.



Tho llvor is tho groat hingo on which our physical nature hangs. Its torpidity, itsomges tioii. In fact any phiiuo of hopallo disonsofcirmits other organs, nnd puts to tho spur a complica tion of disorders. Tho old iroacrinttoiis of mercury, and tho other orthodox romedioc, have longsinco diod away, and modern atilonco und progressive knowlodgo have alighted on now formulas and frouh applianoeS. Tho etlmu'ant effects of Udolpho Wolfe's '-chiedam Aromntio Schnapps soom to Btir tho livor to action, nmt thus abita many of tho nuisances incident lor its stagnancy.