SHIPPING INT ELLIG ENCE.

~..,,, wATiritl Th'a Evening, S 23 HIGH WATKK} To . morrow Morning, 8.80 ; UNBKT.—ThIa Evening. 6.32 • ITMRIBK.—To-Morrow Morning, 5.51 M JON'S A__.-Fir.t Quarter, Bth, 7.11 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

LAST EVENING. Tararoa, _ .3., Mcintosh, from South Saxon, schooner, MoKonzln from hvt'olton Joscj-liiao, ajlioonor, Harrison, from liisNjrno

DEPARTURES.

LAST KV.-CNiNI! City of Now York. 1.M.5.;".. Saar-wry. fttf ?■»» Francisco Argyle, s.s., Crawforvl, for W&Atvwwi TO-\>»V. Tararua, 5.?.. Mcintosh, (or *;.•.».■:, Coronet, schoonor. r.;'\v:o'i;;\ ■:« Vi|-.-,IAV.-> Kdemhilda, solioouo". R«:•v.rv". f.w >^ :-,i,-\i-i,v,-.i\

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

London—Lc-eh t'rv. '.\v.V.:u Tauranga — U'..:-.oU. t":-..".r.-,!. vv; WaitaV, Thursday Russell—lons, Monday Whangaroi and Huanotl-WaUxW. Wednesday New Plymouth au.l S,v.tth—Fcuguin. Tuesday Whangaroi—Argl'io, Tuesdays »iul Fridays Wnitakl, Friday Lovuka—-'outhe m Cro's, Sih Friondly Islands -ilyrllo Mauds-Coronet Rarotongii--Sovere:Kfi

VESSELS EXPECTED.

City of Sydney, from Sau Francisco, Oth Wolverine, H.M.S.. from Sydney, shorty Moropo, ship, from London Oxford, ship, (M.T.LS.) from London; sailed Dec. 1 _ . Sydonham, barquo IJ.M.F.Q), from London sailed November 27th Avona, barquo, from London; to sail January

13 , ~ Chilo, barque, from London ; loading Orient, barque, from New Yorii; to sail Fob ' ruary 8 Peru, barque, from London ; loading Loch Dee, barqtn, from L.nion; sailed Decem ber 21 Superior, barque, from Now York; sailed Ootob?r 23 Cabarfoidh, barquo (S.Q.M.J.), from Hongkong Himalaya, barquo (V.T.K.M). from London; Orwell, brigantine, from tho lalands Dellauco, brignntino, from Dunedin Fairlie, brigantine, from Sydnoy Kthol, brigantine, from Dunodln Ryno, brigantine, from Returnah Look Out, brigantine. from Sydney K'nergy, schooner, from Noumea Heron, Bohoonor, from Sydney Mazoppa, schooner, from UarotongJ Marioa, schooner, from Noumea Policeman, schooner, from Noumea Julia Price, schoonor, from Noumea Dayspring, mission schooner (W.N.8.M.), from tho lßlands Gael, schooner, from Lovuka Agnes Donald, schooner, from Rr.rntonga Sybil, Bchoonar, from Society Islands Transit, schooner, from Rarotonga Atotohau, schooner, from Rarotonga Pirate, schoonor, f.om Feuryhu island 'Poarl, kotoh, from Rarotongi

IMPORTS.

Per Josephino, from Poverty Bay—GOO sacka grass seed, 25 sacks maize, and a quantity of honey. Per Saxon, from Lyttelton: 700 sacks wheat, 20 sacks flour, 120 sacks bran, and 4 bales corn sacks.

Per Tararua, from Melboirne and South : 1100 paokagis su^ar, 225 hnlf-chests and 3SI hoxea tea. 217 cases, 200 bag. 21 ovens, 3J stoves, 351 sacks, 11 blocks, stone, 0 bales, 105 packeg.-sand cases, 40 jars, 16 drams.

Iy wards Coast wis ■•.—Janet, from Whan g rei Heads, with SOO hu-lieis lime; Lizzie, from Whangapoua, with 25.1J00 feet timber; Lo ', from Wcihoko, with 30 tons woo.!: llary Ann, from Mnhurangi. with 900 btvhols lime. Lagoon, from Waipn, with 25 COO feet kauri baulk.

OUTWARD 3 C-ia-stwissc—Janet, for Whan garei Heads; Adah, for Thames, with 0 tons flour, 50 sacks oats, 20 mats sne°.r. 4 packages tea, 20 sacks bran, 11 bags rice; GoWon Isle, for Kusaell; Lso, for Walheke, with £0 bags grass seed.

The cutter Tokerau arrived at Tauranga from this port oh Sunday at 4 p.m , having made tho run with a strong north-west wind in a littlo over seven hours.

The new Ilevenuo schooner nawk, built by Mr Barber, of Kaipara, went foracruisearound the harbour this morning. She looks a nice trim vessel, bat tho wind being so very light it will not provo any great test of her sailing qualities.

Tho brittantino Roderick Dim cleared at the Cuatomafor Whangaroa to-day with 13,000 feet puriri.

The schooner Aurora arrived at Sydacy from Whangaroa on the 3th iDstont.

Thoschoonor Jossphinearriied from Guborno last evening, after a paaaase of seven daj"3, having left tnere last Wednesday.

Tha schooner Saxon arrived from Lyttolton last evening. She lefc on the 10th, expariencod linht northerly winds for the iirat two days; then light south and southeast until rounding Fast 'Jape, and va; iable wine's up to time of anlval.

Tho s.s. Waitaki arrived from Tauranga last evening, with 120 sheer, 1 hide, 1 boxes, and tho following pa'eengers:—Mr and Airs Bartley, G. «'. Hill, Danny, Miss Clarkson, Air Alcock, Judge Fenton and t-'e.retary. Rearers, Mrs and Miss Fenton. Mr Bowatt, Mr and Mrs Home, Mr Gib3on, Miss Suddgrass, Mr vVilding, Mr and Mrs Crowlbaes, Mr W. Webster.

When the diver went down to see what was holding the s.s. Taupo a day or two ago. the water was so clear that he could beaeen walking about In almost twenty feet of water. Aa far as tho diver could ascertain there were no rocks that could hold the vessel down, bat to all ap pearance she had been moved considerably by tho B.s. Glenelg on Tuesday last. By reference to our telegrams of to-day, ie will be seen that the Taupo waa successfully floated off this morning, I

The cutter Tamaki Packet arrived at Taurang on Saturday, having come from Mercury Bay via Mount Stewart, at which latter place sho landed a cargo of timber.

Tho schooner Opotiki arrived at Tauranga with a full cargo of timber for To Puke last week. She was chartered for Tauranga and was lying thero waiting tho arrival of tho contractor, who was expeoted to arrive yesterday.

Tho P.M B.s, City o! Now York left for Pan Francisco and Honolulu at 11 o'clock last night, having being detained by the bite arrival of the s.a. Tararua with tho Hast Coast mails, s-he took the following pasaengera in addition to too list published last evening :—Saloon: Mr and Mrs Woodruff and family, Mr and Mra H. F. Birley, Mr and Mrs Munertzhnger, nurse, and six children, Mr and Mrs M. Hudson, Mr and Mrs Brooke, Mra M. Koenig, Messrs Lister, George Gibson, McKwen, Phelps.W. H. Turner. J. S. Nightingale, J. T. Burno, Edward Acker man, George Lee. Sto-rage: Mes3rs W. S. Rayll, M. Stewart, O. Sheridan, William Trotter, John Furniss, William Honey, Thomas Gerrans, Robert and Thomaa Watson, O. W. Hurchinson, and Herman Shlock.—T. T. Gamble, agent.

The s.s. Tararui, from Melbourne and Southern ports, arrived at 10 o'clook last night, tho delay being occasioned by heavy weather experienced during nearly the whole of the passage. While at Napier, a south gale was blowing, and the lighter refused to put out to the tt-.-amer, she steamed away. Shi wa3 unable to call at Gisborne because of the continuance of the storm. Up till Monday at 10 a.m. there was no abatement, but aft--r that time the weather moderated. The Tararua left Melbourne nt 7 pm. on the 10th February, and arrived at Hobirt at 7 pm. on tho 18th. Sailed at 1p m. on the 19th. and arrived at BluiFar, 5 a.m. on tt.o 23rd. Left for Port Chalmers at 1 p.m., and arrived at 0 p.m. on the 21th. r-ailed at 10 p.m., arriving at Wellington at 5 p.m on the 26th, and Naprer, 7 p.m. on the 27th inst., arriving here an above. Passengers: Me-rdaraea Thompson, Brown, Prince, Miaaaa Braigh (2), Rev. Mr Pym, Meaara Glasson, Drew, White, Knill Thompaon, Gunn, Hale 3, Pickerinu-. Singleton, Anderson, Jamilla, Macready, and 19 in the steerage. Tho Tararua leave* for Russell at 4 a.m. tu-dar, and returns on Friday moin ,ng, when sho will leave for Melbourne and t he South nt 1 p.m.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Lal'a Rookh, p.s„ Campbell, from Waitara

DEPARTURES.

Pengnin, s.s, Malcolm, for South Rowena, s.s., Amofleo, for Waitara

IMPORTS.

Per Lalla Rookh, from Waltara:-ll kegs butter, _ boxes egga.

The Seagull cleared at tho customs to-day for Dnnoain with 90,000 feet sawn timber.

The p.s. Lalla Rookh arrived from Waitara at I p.m. yesterday, and brought the following pas sengers :—Me3irs Sinclair, Finlay (2), Schwav<z, and Mrs Campbell. She is announced to leave for Waitara at i oon to-morrow.

The s s. Penguin left for South this forenoon- Passengers: Miss Brook, Mr and Mrs Holder- Miss Graco Follando; Messrs ('. F. Buddie- Warren, P. Pairman. VS. Cross. G. Wright, A. C, I auric, Scott. Smith, Larkin3, Walters.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Russell, this day. Arrivals: Eleanor, Christina* any Jeesle.

Wellington, yesterday. Arrived: Wak.tipo, from South ; Albioo, as. from Auckland.. Sailed: Wakatipa, for Sydney. Lyttelton. yesterday. Sailed : Hawea, s.s , for Wellington. Arrived : Island Lily, schooner, Cooper, from Chatham Islands.

Post OiiALMKRJ, yesterday. Arrive!: Oamaru, ship, from London. Sailed : Te Anau, b.s,, for Molbourno, via Bluff. Sydney, March 1. Arrived: Ihe Union Company's steamer Arawata, from Auckland.

COMMERCIAL.

.-/.• Evening Stab Offloe, Tuesday. Mr Tolo, chief commissioner of Crown Lands, held a sale at the Government offices with the annexed results. Bay o£ Islands County.— Kawakawa block XVI : i-ection G, 218. Ir. I9p. ; section 7, 2la. 2r. 38p., upset prlco, MrLnmbert; r-ectionl2,2la. 3r. 2Gp.. £16 10s, Mr Oilfield. Ruapekapeka, section 59, 29a , upset price, £10, Mr Marshall. Kawakawa, seclion 115, 20a. 6p„ £20 ss; soction 116. 20a 2p,. £15 3r 9(1, Mr Osborne; section 117, SCa. 2p„ £10256 d. Mr Grumby. Meroor. -Block III: soction 27, 28,39, 30. Ir, eaoh, £7 10s eaoh, Mr .rater. Suburbs of Mercer: section 17, 3a. 29p £9 15s: section 18, 3a, lr. 28p., £10 10s ; and section 19, 2a. 3r. 220., £9, Mr Adamson. Waiomoi —Section 7, la.. £30, subject to £30 for improvement, Mr Townsead. Te Aroha.-Block Xr: f-'ection 11, 10i., £30, Mi- Bruce; section-18.10a. £30; and section 51,12a. 26p., £36 9s 9d, Mr Stanley. Waiuku Kast.- Section 95, 71a £111 upset price, sold for £111 to Mr White. Tarish of Taupiri —Section 82, 20s. £10,Mr nice. Parish of Paparoa — N.W.part section 73, 26a. Ir., £13 2s. fid Mr Wilson. Whangaroi.-Block IV: section 1,77a. 2c. £38 12s, Mr Jaggcr. Russell Kurvoy District.— Block I: Section 1,31a„ uoFet price £31, sold to Mr Morrison for £71. Kerikerl Survey Li-> trict-Mock vill : Section 1, 13a. 2r, £1810s up set price, sold to Mr Newman for £61. I

Mail Notice.

Mails will Ci.osus as Uxdeh.—

Tins Day. For Rarotonga, por Sovereign, at I p.m. For Whangarol Heads, Whangarol, Russol) and Kawakawa, par Waitaki, at I p.m. For Thames, per Kntorpriso, at 0.30 p.m.

Thursday. 3rd instant. For Port Fitzroy, por Waterlily, at 8 a.m. For VVaitara, por Lalla Rookh, atSu.ni. For vvaiwera.i Te Kapa, Craigieburn. and

Warkwortli, per Roso Casey, at 1(1 a.m. For Thames, per Roloinahana, at 3.30 p.m.

Fuioay, Ith instant. For Wniheko and Coromandel, per Coro-

mandol, at 2.30 p.m. Per s.s. Tararua a» follows :— For India, China„)apnn,Mcdltoranoan Ports, and Continent of Huropo, at 3 p.m.

For Tauranga, Gisbonio, Napier. Southern Ports. Australian Colonlcß, ami United Kingdom, via Briudisl, for letters specially to prepaid and addressed, at 4 p.m. For money orders, roglslorod letters, and newspapers, at 1 p.m. Lato letters till 1.20 p.m.

N.U.—Tho mails for districts in the Waikato hitherto made ua at this oillce at Ha.m, are now closed at 7.30 ami. Return mails aro received at 5 p.m. S. B. BIS 3, Chief Postmastor. Chief Poat-onico. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

March 2nd, 1881.

Theatre Royal — Thompson* Contodernto Diorama of tiro American War, 3 p m. District GrarA Lodge ot Auckland, 7.20 p.m. United Mcthodiat Schoolroom—Tomporanco moating, 7 30 p.m.

Notices to Correspondents.

Amicus (Tauoiri).—Our collimnsaro too cowded to admit your reply to tho " waikato Times." J. O. N.—Now that the inquiry ia occupying so large a spneu in our columns, wo must sus pend correspondence, on tho subject.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1881.

For th aus that acts assistance. For tho wrong that noed-i resist.mci;, For the future in the distance, And the cod thai we can do

We hereby certify the issue of the Auckland Evening Star jar the week ending February 26th, ISBI, to have been as under: — Monday, Feb. 21 6,516 Tuesday, „ 22 6,475 Wednesday,,' 23 6,609 Thursday, „ 24 6,546 Friday, „ 25 6,467 Saturday, „ 2G 6,534 Total issue for week... 39,147 GEORGE FRASER) Public Account ]■ ant and T. L_I«H WHTTKIOitv Audltirs.

To bring up arrears of local matter we are compelled to hold over a leading article.

Messrs Eraser ana White, City Audltos and Public Accountants, certify that the issue of the Evening Star last week was 30,147.

The trustees of the Wealeyan Church at Otahuhu have succeeded in disposing of their church and acre of land to Mr Good win, for the sum of £80, with a view of devoting tho proceeds of the sac to the trection of a new church.

We call attention to the advertisement of the Amateur Athletic Club, which appears in another column. A committee meeting will be held at 7.30 sharp, to elect new members.

The A. Battery Auckland Artillery has decided to be present at the volunteer review, to bo held at Te Awamutu ou Easter Monday,

A meeting of the Yacht Club is to be held at 8 o'clock to-morrow evening for the purpose of arranging a programme of race as well as making provision for a race for the Commodore's Cup.

We beg to acknowledge the receipt of £1 from Dr Kenderdine on behalf of Widow Smyth.

As a caution to a number of boys who are in the habit of bathing iv the evening by the AVyny.vd PLr, we may state that between 12 and 1 o'clock to-day, Mr James Coulev, waterman, caught a shark 9 feet G inches in length, and weighing fully three hundred weight. Tiie shark may be peen at the Wynyard Pier. We learn that there are a number of sharks in these waters, which render caution to young ad venturers the more necessary.

The Government still appear to be pur suing the policy of retrenchment, It is now understood that the Government steamer Stella will be laid up at Welling ton, and that her place on the revenue and lighthouse service will be filled by the new 'fore-and-aft schooner recent'y built for the use of the Customs Department by Mr Barbour, of Kaipara. Captain Grey, for merly of the Stella, takeß charge of the schooner, and it is expected that a large re duction in expenses will be made by the fact that Ic*s hands are required en tho sailing vessel than on the schooner. The saving in coals will also make a very con siderable difference.

A meeting of shareholders in Gilmer's lease was held this day at the oflice of Mr D. G. MacDonnoll, Mr Gilmer in the chair. It was resolved that a Company, to be called the Matawai, be formed under the MiDins; Company's Act, 1572, with a nominal capital of £10,000 in 10,000 shares of £1 each ; nil paid up. Rules for the Company were adopted, and the following shareholders appointed directors : Messrs Benjamin Gilmer, G. C. Gordon, Wn>. J. Young, Thos. G. H. Clarke, and Jas. Dickson. Mr D. G. MacDonnell was ap pointed manager. To the Editor : Sir, —Seeing by your paper of last night that the Government ia offering a bonus of £500 per anuum for three years, to any one manufacturing 50 tons of sulphuric acid, in this colony, it would be a pity if this bonus is allowed to go Soutli and away from this province in which exists in abun dance that most necessary article sulphur, together with iron and copper pyrites. The writer can well state that it could be manufactured at a cheap ra'e, and would be a most profitable under taking without a bonus, if its manufacture was combined with the manufacture of arti ficial manures, viz., super-phosphate of lime and dissolved bones, for which there ia an increasing demand. The writer steaks from 25 years experience of this trade in the old country, and would gladly chow intending investors the figures proving the truth of his assertion.—WM. Dixon, Auckland, Ist March, 1881. '

The meeting of shareholders in the Pru dential Assurance Society was adjourned tiillWcdncauay, the 23rd inst, owing to the auditors not having revised the accounts.

Mr.l. McCosh Clark is gazetted a mem ber of the Licensing Court of Auckland and neighbouring distiicts in the place of Mr G. M. Mitford, who has left the colony.

A boy about fourteen years of age was rowing in a llal-bottoincd punt in the vicinity of Ponsonby yesterday afternoon, when, by some means, his frail craft upset, and he was precipitated into the water. Several bonis put oil' to his assistant!.! and he was rescued little the worse for his Hidden and involuntary immersion,

A boy named Wilson had one of his lingers torn clean oil his hand through il being caught in the machinery the other day.' lie was attended by Dr. Elliott, aud is now progressing satisfactorily.

A meeiiug of the shareholders of (he newly formed Nevada tioldminiiig Com pany was held this morning at Mr i'othin's Ollice, Shorthuiil-sti'cet. ' Rules for the management of the company were adopted, and the following Directors wete elected : Majors (liven and I'ilie, Me-sis Walker, 0. J, Hutchinson, nnd C. A. Harris.

Th'1 Registrar of the Supremo Court (Mr 11. Williamson) sat iv bankruptcy (his morning, and granted orders of discharge to Henry Clarence Hoy to, nnd C. 11. Morris. Mr Dovorc made the necessary application on behalf of tho former, and Mr Smith ou behalf of the latter debtor.

The Coromandel school (lower township) is prospering to a remarkable extent under th: management of Mr Dyer, the new teacher, who has the scholars in a Mate of perfect discipline, and his high attain ments have had the ell'ect of increasing the atteudeuec from an average of seventy or eighty to considerably over a hundred.

The Coromandel Steam Ship Company havo iv ranged for special weekly trips, commencing ou Friday next from Auckland. The steamer will stay at Coromandel nil day ou Satuiday, to allow visitors the opportunity ti inspect tlio big mines or go to the new goUUield, and return at night io Auckland. This will ntl'ord n splendid opportunity while tlio weather is line lo iuspoct the Coioninudol goldlield.

The Registrar of llo^s is having the large dog kennel, lately in the police ollicu build ings, removed to the City Council yards, at the rear of ih.: market, where a large lank ot water with cage and lowering geir will ho fixed to summarily dispose of all dogs found without collars fur the piescnt year. Notwithstanding repeated warnings there are still a large number of dogs unregi stered. Thoir days are nuiiibenduiiless their owners at imej obtain n collar.

Tho unfortunate man, Mr John Itiordan, who was thrown from his horse on Saturday afternoon in the Wad ; Konil, mi returning on horseback from Stokes' Point to I,ilea-' Creek, whore he was cngagaged as a teacher in the local school, died this morning iv ll.e Provincial Hospital. Mr Itiordan was severely wounded Jin the spine, from which ho never rallied. Mr Uiordan wis well educated, and n man of genial, and occasionally eccentric habils, lie was in his 51st year, and arrived in Auckland in lSTti, by lite Orari. One of his shipmates was Constable MeGilp, who, with his proverbial Scotch humour, could furnish interesting anecdotes ot deceased, who was ii school master at Olahiihu, before being located at Lucas' Creek. An inquest will bo held on the body of deceased at the Hospital tu-moriow (Thursday) at'_' p.m.

A meeting of Ihe Onehnnga Borough Council was held on Monday evening, I'resent : The Mayor (Mi- Hlakcy), and Ihe whole of the councillors. The business befoie the meeting Consisted chictly of letters an! I'epoits, two letters being from Mr Austin, making enquiries as io lite management of the Green Hill rcscivo, and the fur/o mid water channels. The monthly report of ihe water works shewed that 26 vessels had been supplied 22,850 gallons of water, paying thcictnr .Cll 8s (id during the month of January. It was agreed to call for lenders for (JOO yards oi scoria and 300 yards of line gravel to repair the Hue Tree Hill road. The contractor's dispute was again introduced. Mr Tapp moved " That Hie contractor lie paid accord ing to the Engineer's certificate." Mr Cod -1 ill objected, riving sundry items to shew that the contractor was making exorbitant demands. Mr Tapp said his reason for desiring to revoke the resolution was that tlio matter might bo referred to arbitration. I hi being put to the vote the original motion was revoked by the casting vote of the Mayor.

An elderly lady narrowly escaped being run over by a milkman's cart, which was driven very rapidly round the corner of Slioitluid and High-streets this afternoon. Something singular about the appearance of the vehicle attracted [the attention nf Sergeant Fleming, and he stopped it, sod finding the driver, a man named Kiclmrd Ash, tn be intoxicitcd, ho loik him int i custody. Constable Dodd a .timed the drivei's position, and handling the reins with professional skill, he safely piloted the horse and cart to Orowtbcr's stables, where they were left for the present.

At the meeting of Har.ipipi school district, on the 26th February, Mr J. H. Ihompson presided. Tin; following committee were elected : -Messrs haac Hodg-oti, .lames McGuirk, Edward Graham McMinn, Hcinrich Folder, David Rolls, Thomas llosborough, and John Henry Thompson. Mr McMinn bus been appointed chairman, and Mr Hodgson Treasurer.

It is a more common thing to 10-e articles in public conveyances than to recover them again. An act of integrity which occurred in connection with Codlin's Onehunga 'bus to-day, therefore, dee yes mention. Mrs Mason was a passenger in the 'bus last night, aud, in leaving, she f -r got a parcel and her purse containing £2. This morning, inquiry was made for the missing articles, and Mr Codlin, jtin., the driver, at once produced them, having had them earefitily put away until the owner should appear. Although Ihe restitution was made without promise or expectation of reward, it is fair to say that the satis fiction of the owner on recovering the lost property found expression in a substantial shape.

Our American friends are ahead of us again. Hitherto it has been the Colt's revolver, the Sewing Machine, mid the ' Wall ham Watch, Now it is work of art, in the shape of portrait pictures. Fancy a linn in San Francisco employing froiii first to last about a couple of hundred I cople, systematically engaged according to the now well-recngaizcd division of labour principle in doing nothing else but in reproducing portrait pictures entrusted to their care, turning oftentimes a very indifferently executed photograph into a large, life-like and exquisitively liuished water colour painting. The idea itself is not a new one, but the system and mode of execution is, and results are, pro duced at a comparatively veiy moderate cost, which must bo seen lo be appreciated. The ollice of the agent, Mr 11. Clayton, is at 17, Insurance Buidings, where addresses or instructions may be left, by any person wishing to sue these admirable works of art. Several liandsomi portraits executed to local order are now on view at Mr Clayton's Oilier, in the Insurance Buildings.

Our Port Albert correspondent writes : - "There were less than 200 cntriesat the Show of 1873, Iv 1879 the entries numbered 230 ; in ISSO, 270: and this year the number of entries stood at 285. It will he noticed that at previous Shows wheat and barley were well-represented in ten or twelve exhibits; this year no exhibit of either. Fresh butter was represented by no less than 22 exhibits this year,and the judges stated that with one or two exceptions the butter was first-class. I am pleased to say that tho treasurer will have a balance iv hind towards next year's Show. The entrance foes on exhibits exceeded £20, and a larger number of visitors were at the Show than on any pre vious occasion.—Tho Kcv. O. A. Brown has spent a week with us, Mr Brown stated in his lecture on " Signs of the Times," that he cared not for politics only so far as they related to prophesy. He believed that tho end of tho present dispensation was ni<_li at hand. The prophesy ot Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar was rapidly being fulfilled. The lecturer recited a largo number of historical facts, and ingeniously drew deductions out of them. The Eastern question was satisfac torily disposed of to the lecturer's mind, and the Irish dilliculty solved in a manner very gratifying to Mr Parnell aud Mr Biggar. Tho Turkish Empire was about; come to an cud, and wc should see live kings at the head of live Kingdoms in the place of the Turkish Empire. Home Ilule would be come au accomplished fact. Fngland would loose Ireland, aud thus Ireland would become the big tec cf the image seen by Nebuchadnezzar iv his dream. The lecturer did uot say wheu we might expect "the end of tbe present dispensneion," except that it was nieji at hand. I remember Lord Palmerstonsayiag, in reference toapubli-hed statement in the London "Times," that the " Times" was givan to prophesy. Nineteen times out of twenty the " 1 iines'' was wrong, but people only remembered whei the " Times " gave a true guess. But, .seriously speaking, I should much like Gladstone aud Bismarck to have a copy of { the lecture, and it is uot too much to pre sume that Mr Brown has ceased to be a holder of Turkish bonds, that is if he ever held any."

Wc have received a copy of a vcrv interesting little book entitled " Peacock Alley ; or a Hoy and a Girl Against tho World." The narrative, which is an admir able children's story, traces Hie fortunes of two orphans. Their joys and sorrows are very toiichingly depicted. The author of the'book is the Rev F. Langbridge, H.A., hrotlir- of Mr W. H. Langbridge, of this c ty. The Roy Mr La' g'nid'gc ia the author of other works of the same kind, which havo been very favourably reviewed by lending British journals aud magazines. Mr Langbridge has also published a num ber of poems, which have commanded attention by their true ring, lie is n legnlar contributor of verses to the English magazine litei attire.

Observer Piizos.—New Series.—All poraona 'Inking tho Next Four Numbers of tho (Instcnvicn will bo ICntHoiton Chance in a Drawing for Fifteen Prizes, varying in value from fii to lis. For full particular! and instruc lions see Friday's issue.

A temperance meeting will ho held this evening in Iho Un'tud Methodist Free. Church, corner of Vincent street. Mr James Coupland will occupy Iho chair, and Roy. Thomas ilodg pon (Mr Taylor's successor), and Mr Solomon Renins will address the meeting, which will tie opened at halt-past seven o'clook,

The members of the Loyal Fountain of [friendship Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Uniiy, will celebrate their lh'rl,y-sovonth anniversary iv the l/mie-strcct, Hall to-morrow evening; dinner at 7.30, and ball at nlno o'clock. Particulars of tho coming event will bo found in tho announcement which appears in another column. Tickots may he obtained of members of tlio working committee.

The adjourned meeting ro formal ion of Hand of Mope Union Is to ho held ou Friday, till iii-it, In thu Tempo: anon Hull, at 7 HO. As Iho business ir io receive report of Preliminary t'ommiltcn, it Ih trriuod that all parsons inter ested will uuiko an oll'ort to attend.

We call the attention of all Volunteer iilllcoi'is to a notice In our advertisement columns re instruoliiiii in rille musketry. Amnio notieu luiH been xl yen by circulars, by locals In Iho pro-is, aud by advertisement, Tito meeting ought therefore not to fall through.

Mes-rs Turner and Huddle, auctioneers of Trturungu, will oll'ur for uulo nt the auollon roomson tno 7th hint, that pint of tlio To Puko Block known as Slownrislown In tho Hay of I'leiily dl»t,riot. The land is excellent in character, nnd Iho lowiiKlilp Ih (vintliuially Im proving In consequonoo of iho hilhix ot settlers. Willis of this promising township, with partionlars, will bo furnintird by Mr R. Arthur, nf (Jiiodll-stroot, The land Is held by the Now Zealand Laud Corporation, who havo given iiiftniclloiiH to sell. Intending purchasers will have iho opportunity of enjoying natural advun lages which are not to bn purchased every nay, dluwartslown is splendidly situated iv to oen ro of tlio lllook, on tlio main road lo Iho Like district, and within 12 miles of tho rapidly rising Town and I'art, of Tauranga. The Tc I'uk ) lllook. from its position, and the superior quality Pi Us soli, bids fair soon to bououinono of the most tloiii-Nhlng districts 111 tho North Island, and will form iho centre of a very largo area of iimgnilluant country now being negotiated for, and which will cro long ho open for settlement.

SCINTILLA TIONS.

"Ho brief; for it is with words as with tuiti beams: the morn they arc o-jndousud the deeper they burn."—SOUTIIKV,

The evidence (riven by Mr McArthur at the Grammar School inquiry yesterday, was a most damaging condemnation nf ihe organization anil ellicieuey ol the school, The cold "baron of beef," the hoars head and the wood-cock pie, were the oecup nits of the IJuceu's sideboard on Christmas Day iv ticordauoo with ancient customs.

Mr l''raziT,iravelling agent for the Mutual Provident Association,has been lined i' 2 for assaulting Mr Webb if the " Gislmr lie Standard,'' on account of a paragraph in volving a lady, published it) that paper.

Kabbits aie such a post in Victoria thai the Government have resolved to employ Kayni'ind's phosphorous extensively lorthoir destruction.

Nearly half the hog crop of the world this year was in the l/uitcd Slates. Whole 'number of hogs 77,452,953 ; United Stales, 31,7116,100. It is expected that iv a few veins, more than two-thirds of the hogs oi the wo:Id will he produced there.

The last agricultural returns of deal Britain show ihat the growth nf w Is and forests in g.-iug on very fast, and in the lasl live years have increased their area 500,000 acres.

Mr J. J. Citing's playa the Great World of Loin!on, Check and Counter Check, etc., are lo he produced at Ihe Opera House, Sydney, with Miss Cl.aia Stephens vi playing a Iciding nlle.

It ii said that the asphalt pavement on the Karmigahape side of Newton's main thoroughfare was paid fur out of the vote for roads nnd bridges North of Auckland. Happy Newton ! 'ihe revenue fioin premium! ii ived by the Standard Company hut half year amounted to £19,110, and the expenditure for lire and marine louts _17,')000 ; appro priation for unpaid losses, £7,500. Cole's circus opens in Sydney on the sth April. Mr J. S. Iluckland ii importing 2000 more sheep into Waikato from llawkes' liav.

" Yes, gab," said the old colored man "de firs' yeah when 1 give S,"iO lo the church, dey call me Mistah Itirhad John sin, Esquah ; de second yeah tim-s was had an' I couldn't giv no more thats2."), and dey call me Bruddah Johnsou ; de noxt yeah 1 couldn't giv nullin'au'dey call me old ni.'gah Johnson."

ST. JAMES'S IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

IN A U GUR A L ENT ii UTAIM ME N T

The ninth session of St. James's Mutual improvement Association was inaugurated last night by a very agreeable and success ful cntertaiumeut of a musical and literary character in St. James's Hall, Wellington street. There was a large and appreciative audience, aud the various pcriormers came in for a considerable amount of approbation. The Chairman of the Associ ation (Mr J. M. Oeddis) opened the enter tainment at tight o'clock with ;m inaugural address, in the course of which he reviewed in general terms the progress of the Associ ation, indicated its present position, and ex plained its distinctive features. He pointed out that although established originally aa a Piesbytcrian class—as a kind of congre gational adjunct —its limits and scope be came gradually widened, until, by the admission to membership of persons of many dtll'ereut creeds, it had been fouud necessary to eliminate altogether those rales "which wont in the direction of ex cllisivcucss. There had been from the lirst au uninterrupted tendency towards secularism, and the effect was that the Association being now wholly uti scctarian, it had assumed the rank and was fullilling the requirements of a public institution. Neither age nor sex, religious I faith, nor social condition, was any longer a j harrier to election The only essentials were: a guarantee of icspoctubility, payment of the entrance and subscription fees, nnd an attendance at least once iv three or four meetings. Religions disputation had been found to tend to cmbittcrmont of leeling without having any countervailing effect, and it, had, therefore, been prohibited, Xhe speaker went on to remark upon tho peculiar advantages ollered by -Mutual Improvement Associations, and then concluded with a statcmcut of the programme for the ensuing half-session. ,Mr 1_ West (Hon. Treasurer), delivered an original prologue of much poetic merit, after which the concert proper was entered upou ; the first number being the well known descriptive song "The Vagabond," by Mr 0. 13. King, It was capitally rendered. Miss Mercer sang " The t kipper and His Boy," with much acceptance, and Mr Giadwell gave, with great spirit, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," (Blockley.) "The White Squall," by Mr Gordon Good), and "The Minute Gnu nt Sea," by Messrs McCoskricand Dritmmond, were the only oilier vocal items figured upon tho first half of the programme. Mr Gooch's singing of the spirited sea-sung was masterly, and in response to an em phatic recall he sang the beautiful sacred solo, "Consider Ihe Lilies." It was the gem of tho evening. Mr W. Cooper contributed a humoious reading by Spurgoon, entitled " A Good Word for Wives," aud Mr Domiigton rend a rather long selection from one of Talmitge's works, while Mr Alex. Smith recited,in his happiest manner, "The Tramp and His Dog." The second half of the concert was opened with a duet, " How Sad it is to Say Farewell," by Messrs McCo.-krie and Yt arner, for which they were encored. Miss Thomson also secured an encore for her finished rendition of Claribcl's well-kuown composition " I Cannot Sing the Old Songs." The lady responded with " Won't you Tell me Why, Robin ?" Mr Gooch gave, with decided effect, " Will o' the Wisp and in c:-mplianc3 with the inevitable recall, "Jack's Yarn." Miss Jacksou naug with pathos and sweetness the pensive song by Linley, " I Cannot Mind My Wheel," and Miss Cooper.with much feeling, "Regret," by the same composer. The remaining songs were " Once Again " by Mr Jennings, and " The Tempest of the Heart" by Mr King, both singers obtaining a cordial round of applause. Mr Haslett recited

'•An Orator's Maiden Speech," and Mr Smith " Pastor McKnock's Address," and each gentleman was favoured with an encore. Mr Gordon Kooch was the musical conductor, and Mr Triphook proved himself to be au eilicient ac companist.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

DR. PURCIIAS' CHARGES AGAINST THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL MASTERS.

The inquiry into the charges mado by Dr. Purchus ngainst tiie masters of the Grammar School was resumed shortly after 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the Board of Educa tion ollice. There were present :—Messrs J, M. Glark (iv the chair), E. Hesketh, T. Peacock, J. A. Tole, Colonel Haultain, and Rev. C. M. Nelson (members of the Hoard of Governors), Dr. Purchus and his sons Claude and Chas. Edward, Mr Macrae, Mr Anderson, and Mr Me Arthur.

Mr James, Secretary of tho Board, re ported that he had been informed by the Attorney-General that there would be no other expenses in connection with the com mission than the expenses of witnesses.

Mr Macrae handed in the folio,,mg letter, which was load by Hie Secretary :—" Auck lnnd College and Grammar School, Ist March, 1881. ■ Sir.—On reflecting this morning on the proceedings at the Board mooting of yesterday, 1 was strengthened iv the conviction that I did right iv res pectfully demanding permission to examine the Rev. A. G. Purchus, and 1, therefore, most respectfully renew the demand. In (loin;; so I shall not, 1 trust, be deemed wanting in courtesy to the governing body. I most respectfully submit that the sole question before the Hoard is the correctness or incorrectness of the so-called charges of Dr, Purchus ; that this question cannot he determined until there can he no doubt as to what his charges are; that both iv his first memorandum to Dr. Campbell and in his letter of Kith December last these are no vaguely stated that, except in the doubtful case of paragraph -I, they cannot term a [iropor basis for inquiry ; that when he brought them forward ho ought to have staled them with reasonable particularity ; that though repeatedly requested to do so by the Hoard, ho has not only failed to give, but has refused to give reasonable purtiou laiK, except at his own timo and in his own way. I fool strongly Unit I, as one of the accused, have a right to know what the charges against me are, anil to examine my licenser in the presence of the Hoard ; and 1 venture again to express the belief that the examination which is linked for will, if grunted, have a most important bearing on the course of tho inquiry. I do not write this because I shrink from tho fullest inves tigation of the .linuncr in which my duties us master anil Headmaster have been dis charged. It will li-) remembered that 1 have alreiuly asked for a full inquiry. I may be permitted to remind you that in my loiter of tho lfith ull. I earnestly requested In- H-ni'il lo iiii|iiire into the l'lirehas chargoa with the least possible delay, on the ground that the school was siill'ering, and would continue to Kiili'er until they were disposed of. This argument iv favour of speedy action still holds.— I have the honor la he, Sir, your obedient .servant, I'au ijUHAli MACRAE, Headmaster. The Chair nt in, II iiiril of Governors," The Chairman said at tho last meeting of tiie Hoard it was considered ndvi-alile that Dr. I'liii'.lii-i, who virtually held the posi tion of pliiiniiir, should he allowed to prove his case first.

Mr Macrae submitted that no evidence of a positive kind has been given, and the statements made by Dr. Pinellas were vague and indefinite. He believed that his oxiiuiinatiou of Or, l'urclias would put the lio lid on the right track.

Mr llesketh said if the effect of the examination would be to put the Board on the right track, ho thought there was con siderable reason in Mr Macrao's request.

The other members of the Board were ol opinion Ihat the previous decision should ho adhered, and the inquiry therefore pro ceeded.

Mr McArthur, Principal of the Training College, was called, aud in reply to the Chairman, said Unit he left the Auckland College and Crjiiiunr .School at the end of last year, after naving been there one year and nine months, lie taught the English classes in tho upper school.

Dr. Purchus said he wished to g t from Mr McArthur some information regarding tiit? alleged waste of lime by the upper class, s while waiting for teacher-'. He en quired ii he knew of any instance! whore tho ola-s-c-i had boon left without a master during school hours,

Mr McArthur said ho know the s.-cond Ku^lisli class had he ou left without ;t mas ter once for two hours a week during a period nf nearly a month. He considered that tin; Headmaster had not dono all that he might have done to further the interests of the school, and judging from the Head master's actions, he did not think he was competent to have charge of the school. There bail never, sinco he went to the

school, been any pleasant feeling existing between the Headmaster and his under teachers, lie had no experience of Eng lish schools, hut he mijriit say tint the boys ill the Auckland College did not pay such attention to their studies ns the boys in

Australia. He had known of a few in stances where tbo parents had expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress made by their children. His general opinion re garding Ihe working of iho school was unfavourable

To Colonel Haultain :He did not intend to give the impression that tbe second class was Iclt without any master at all. He hid been asked by the Headmaster to take his class into Ihe same room as the class with out the teacher, lie could not tell whether Mr Maciae's object in sending him into the room vas to keep order. One of tho actions from which he formed the opinion that Mr Macrae was not an ellicient master, was the want of classification. There was a principle, inasmuch as that one e!a«s advanced to the next on the following year. Tho lirst boy was iiot the best boy. An exception which occurred to him was where four boys were put from the second class into tho lirst, hut the Head master taking charge of tho latter, seat them back to the second class. Another reason was that Mr Macrae would come into the class-room and read a book, write a letter, or walk about. Ho mentioned in stances. Be did not think a man could be writing a diary and minding what the class was doing at the same time. Another reason was the treatment ot the masters in reference to the buys. When a master complained against a boy, the master, and not the boy, was placed ou his trial. He objected to the mode of punish ment. 110 mentioned cases where buys bad been sitting or kneeling on the floor during '.he whole day for punishment. He had no personal ground of olfcilCO against Mr Macrae ;on the other hand, he was rather indebted to him. lie was nut aware that any pupils iv the common schools who had obtained certificates of proficiency entitling them to free tuition at tho Grammar School, had not availed them selves of the privilege. To Mr Nelson : For the period of one month, the second class in one of the Eng lish subjects had been left for ono month without nny fixed tcachcr, He had been sent in with his class of eight to them. He presumed he had been sent in with bis class iv order that the boys might not go running about, as they had done on previous occasions. The principal excuses made by the Headmaster ,fcr his absence were that ho had goue to the Turkish baths, or that ho had gone to see the Chairman of the Board. Ho did not say that visitors had called to sec him, and the witness had not known his time to lv occupied with visitors. He considered the reason why so few pupils of the Auckland College and Grammar School passed the University matriculation examination was that they woio not trained up to that standard, The Auckland College should be able to prepare from eight to ten pupils for matriculation each year. He believed the reasons why so few Cnivorsity scholar ships were taken by the pupils from the Auckland College were that they were not trained up to that standard, aud that tho text books were not properly fitted in. Auckland College had advantages over Nelson and Wellington Colleges and other High school?. It was better provided with masters and funds. To Mr Tole : Usually Mr Macrae did not give any reason for his absence when he gave orders for the first and second classes to take tho same room. The Auckland College and Grammar School was nomin ally a secondary school, but its functions were not, iv his opinion, elliciently carried out. He believed the Headmaster was responsible for filling in the text hooks. He felt so strongly on the matter that ho had prepared a syllabus himself, and had it given to the Headmaster, but ho had not seen anything more of it. The boys who were advanced to the first class aiid then turned back were in a mathematical clacs. '1 hey would be goieg over the same ground which they had goue over before, and would therefore be discouraged. Mr Macrae was overbearing iv his manner to wards the master. He mentioned that in cases where complaints were made by the teacher, Mr Macrae, referring to the boy, had said, " If 1 had had the boy, ho would have dono better." Ho considered this a kind of reprimand to the teacher. To Mr Hcskcth ;Mr Macrae had once really taken his class and taught. He said what he had come for, and witness had re mained iv the class-room. When Mr Macrae had come into the class-room read ing a hook, he had not given auy'reason for his presence there. To Mr Peacock: When the four boys rn.ro put back from the first to the second

class, there were only two others left iv the class. To Mr Clark : He did not know the reason why the four boys were put back. He did not think tho reason was that they were keeping the others back. When he said that from eight to ten pupils should go up for matriculation each year, he had taken into account the ages at which the .boys left schdol. As a rule, they did not leave school much earlier than in Australia. They usually left here about seventeen. In Australia they matriculated about six teen, and two years carried them through their College course. Ihe Auckland school was in a better position than the Welling ton and Nelson school by having a larger stall' of teachers. Hoys in the Auckland Grammar School would have a fair chance of matriculating or obtaining scholarships; but in classics it would be doubtful, and in English there would be even less chance. He did not know a single occasion in tho new school—that was ISSO-wheu the Headmaster took his class. He was aware from the oilier masters that the practice in the upper school constantly was to put the scholars in a higher claw each year. Under feelings of annoyance ho might have said iv the presence oi the boys iv The class that he was disgusted with tho maimer in which things were going on. He did not think that such a remark as that was conducive te the interests of the school. lie did uot know what the statement about him having said that he "would have it out witli Mr Macrae " meant, but ihe following explanation might throw some light on it. Some hoys were exceedingly anxious to prepare themselves lor the open scholar ships under the Hoard of Education. There were special text-books for these. These text-books had been gone on with during the year, lie agreed, at the boys' request, to take them fur half-aii-hour before school and half-an-hour during lunch time. One morning Mr Macrae was there before him, and told the boys that if he had known of that soit of thing he would have "stopped it. When he heard it, he said to the boys. "If Mr Macrae speaks about it again let me know, and I will see him at 4 o'clock." He might have been wrong from a the oretical point of view in saying that he was disgusted, but he was annoyed, and could not help expressing his opinion. He did not think ho would be prepared to say that he had made a great mistake. The way things were going on was a matter cf com mon report about the place. To Mr Nelson: He considered that parents would keep their children longer at school if they could got a higher education lor them than that .Horded by the Auckland College, He believed there were many parents in Auckland who would desire their hoys to get a University education. He knew that one of the four boys who were put back from the first to tho second class seriously contemplated leaving school altogether through being put back. It wan only the individual cllorts of the teacher that induced him to remain. To Colonel llitultiun : Pupils could not get University education in the Auckland College and Grammar School. There were masters in tho schools competent to give the education. Scholais had won University honours, but this was principally due to individual ell'orts or outside training. To Mr Tole : Through the want of organisation, iSjc, iv the school, the hoys could not go through through a University course. The Grammar School was simply a secondary school.

To Mr iVncoek : Comparing ihe Auck land College and Grammar School with other institutions, he believed it was not so cllicicut as it should he.

To Mr Nelson : He did not believe that from tho leaching ho got in the Auckland College and Grammar School, a boy of average ability could pass the matriculation examination at the University. To Mr llesketh: Every master in the school worked on his own account, and ther.i was no feeling of esprit d'corps. lie thought if the masters met together aud compared notes in reference to the progie-s of certain hoys in particular subjects, iho general result would be much more satis factory. Mr Me Arthur was Ihaukcd for his attend ance, and withdrew. Mr Peacock »uid llicre was one matter he would like to mention. He believed it was the intention of Dr, Purchus to call ouc or two of the Governors iv evidence, and although he did not know who were to be called, yet he thought the Board should nivc ;iu expression of opinion on the advisa bility or otherwise of such an action. Dr. Piirchas announced that after con sidering tli-3 matter, he thought it would not be wise to call any of the Governors, who were really judge's iv the case, us wit nesses. 'Ihe Chairman said this would not pre vent any cf the Board from slating any facts which bad come to his knowledge regarding tbe management of the school. Some discussion to >k place in reference to summoning witnesses there being a desire on the part of members that Dr. Piirchas should submit a list of the names of witnesses. MrTole moved "That Dr. Purchas be requested to furnish the Board with the names of the witnesses whom he desires to oiler evidence relative t) his complaints now being investigated, distinguishing between those who would and those who would not, in his opinion, give evidence voluntarily, without request or com pulsion." Dr. Purchas said he would have no ob jection to giving the names. It was agreed that the inquiry should adjourn till 4 30 p.m. on Friday next, and ihat in the meantime circulars be issued to live of Dr. Purchas' witnesses requesting them to attend.

NEW MARKET WE SLEYAN CHU RCH.

The foundation blocks of the new church were laid yesterday afternoon. The site Belected|being a.wellcho.en and mo3t central one. Mr E. Hartley is the architect, and the contract is iv the hands of Messrs Mackrcll and Aldcrtou. Ihe cost of the building is about £500, aud will seat about 250 persons. The ceremony was of general and local interest. Those noticed on the ground were Hcv.. T. Buddie, Or. Kidd, W. Morley, G, Bond, J. Hollow, aud several laymen. Rev. G. Bond opened the proceedings, and Rev. T. Buddie led iv prayer. It was then announced that the four blocks would b3 laid by Revs. W. Morley, T. Buddie, with Messrs J. L. Wilson, and T. Buddie. Mr Clayton then handed the mallet to Mr Morley, and he formally declared the block in position. He then made a few well chosen icmarks regarding the doctrines of Moihodisra and its form of Givetninent. The other blocks were also fixed in their places^ In the evening a teameeling, in the New market Hall, was held, 'ihe trays were sumptuously supplied, Mr J. L. Wilson was called to the chair He said that they were mot to celebrate tho laying the foundation ot a new church in the rising district of Newmarket. The Itev. T. Buddie in addressing the meeting referred to the great changes he had suen in 37 years of his New Zealand labours. He «avc his most hearty congra tulations, and hoped the ncople in New market] would, succeed in their new undci« taking/ and that God would bless them. l!cv. John Dcllow, from Gisborne, re ceived a hearty welcome, and in a shoit address expressed his great pleasure at being present. Rev. W. Morley briefly referred to the last 17 years of Methodism in New Zea land. The body had iuci eased twofold during this period. 'Iho usual votes of thanks were given.

THEATRE ROYAL.

Tins Diorama was largely patronised last evening by a picture-loving people, every part of the theatre being fairly filled. The various scenes of the American war between tho Northern aud Southern States, and which resulted in the dissolution of slavery, were much admired. 'lime, evidently, has passed lightly over the Diorama since it was exhibited iv this city. The views were lucidly explained by the lecturer, who had the consecutive narrative ready mado. The second part of the entertainment consisted of ventriloquism by Professor Herman, who managed, very cleverly, to deal with his othcrwisa dumb companions. The collo quies wore frequently amusiug to the audi tory, who testified satisfaction in bursts of hilarious laughter, although some of the words put into tho mouths of tbo images were nnicliiied and objectionable. Wc hold, with Douglas Jcrrold, to English pure and uudelilcd, aud believe that tho chastest aud best language should be used, especially iv the presence of young persons, who are too apt to imitate the vulgar and unseemly. The last se mo was the distribution of gifts, some of them of considerable value, to the lucky ticket-holders, aud this part of the proceedings seemed to be, relished with keen delight. Miss Jessie Palmer, of Hobsou street, claimed tbc drawing-room suite. Thompson's Confederate Diorama will bo repeated this eveniug, when a large number of presentations, including several watches, will be made.

CABLEGRAMS.

[RETURS TELEGRAMS.

THE DISASTER IN NATAL.

Bravery of the Boers.

CAPE TOWN, February 28. Additional intelligence from Natal, re garding the disaster at Spitskop, has been 1 eccived. The Bocis are stated to iiave had large stoiC3 of ammunition, with which they were able to maintain their attack without intermission, and stormed the position of the British splendidly during a temporary confusion which arose in the ranks of the latter. They had previously prepared to cut oil'the British retreat, and succeeded in inflicting further loss on our troops when retiring, and prevented many

from escaping,

MORE TROOPS FOR NATAL.

The Hero of Kabul Appointed to Command. LONDON, February 28, It is announced that three more regi ments are under orders for Natal to rein fore the British forces in Transvaal, and further that Sir F, Roberts will at once proceed to Natal to succeed the late Sir Gen. Colley in the command of the forces operating against the Boers. MORE OBSTRUCTION. LONDON, February 28. The House of Commons now has the estimates of expenditure under considera tion, aud the Irish members are blockiiiL' the passage of different votes. The Go vernment has consequently demanded that the consideration of supplies should be declared "urgent," and that the same should be done in case of the Bill to restrict the sole and possession of arms iv Ireland now before the House. THE WOOL SALE. At tho wool sales to-day 95,000 bales were catalogued. Tiie prices realised were in favour of the buyers. THE .'iUNDISI MAIL. The homeward Australian mails were de livered here via Brindisi.

AUSTRALIAN.

MELBOURNE, Wednesday, A banquet was given lo Mr James Ser vice last night, prior to his departure for Europe. To-day five hundred persons were present. The speeches delivered on the occasion were principally letrospcctivo in their character. NEW ZEALAND STEAMEES. Arrival: Rotomahana from the Bluit'. Sailed : Bingarooma for Blull', SYDNEY, this day. The following non-acceptors for the llawkcsbury Racing Club's Autumn Han dicap are announced : Mundie, Walloon, Orient. Elastic, Wellington, Warlock, Mar. tindnle, Magnet (colt), Mullyat, Kathleen Mavou'iieen, li'tliel, The Pontiff, Free mason, Corelah, Eucalyptus, Hover, and Bosworth.

FIRE IN DURHAM STREET.

SHORTLY before six o'clock this morning Constables McCormick and Ityan were passing along Queen-street at its junction with Durham-street, when they observed smoke issuing trom :. building at the upper end of the street, on the left hand side. Accompanied by Constable Kennedy, they went up and found that the smoke was pro ceeding from the second storey of the premises occupied by Messrs Laurie and Watson, and recently in the possession of Messrs Warnock Brother.-, The liie-bclls were rung, and a large crowd quickly assembled. The doors were all fast, and the police prcvente i anyone from openiutr them until the arrival of the Fire Brigade, which responded very quickly to the alarm. The door was forced open, aud it was then fouud that the fire was centred in a quantity of oakum in the upper storey, a considerable number of bales being stored there. A jet of water was soon playing on the burning material, and in a very short space of time (he Haines were quenched. The further precaution of rolling tho bales of oakum nut on to the Btieet was, however, taken, and it was found that each bale was more or less charred. At half-past six o'clock all danger was over, and Iho crowd dispersed. Mr Bolter, who occupies the adjoining store, and Mr Watson, were present. Mr Pottei's store, it may he slated, also contains oakum. Both buildings are owned by Mr John Robertson, and are insured in the North British Company. No material damage was-sustained by cither store, but it is esti mated that the damage sustained by Watson and Laurie's goods is about £100. It is be lieved that the lire must have been the result of spontaneous combustion, us all the doors were securely locked.

AU CKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

The second concert of the year was given last evening to a large audience of subscribers, Smart's "Bride of Dunkerron" was the subject chosen for performance, and considering the limited lime allowed for rehearsal, and also the scarcity of copies of the music, the perform ance was moderately successful. The argument of the cantata was given by us in Monday's issue. The theme, which is tinged with sadness, is admirably aud most appropriately treated by the composer. Heiuy Smart, whose death, about eighteen months ago, was unanimously lamented in the musical world at home, has left behind him compositions which stamp his character as a thoughtful and earnest musician. This cantata is the most pretentious of his works. It has many beautiful phrases, aud the orchestration throughout is ably wrought. The band last night was more successful in the accompaniments than in the solely instrumental pieces, The intermezzo re quired more delicate treatment, and a more even balance of instruments. The alternate choruses for male and female voices were fairly good. In the former there was a want of uttcutiou to the baton ou the part of the basses, but the tenors were well repre sented. The other choruses brought out some good voices among the trebles and altos, the latter being numerically weak. Mr Barker took the part of Dunkerrou, and sang the graceful air " The full moon is beaming" very well; but he was hardly at home in the recitaiory aud declamatory passages. The duet " Hero may wc dwell " was rendered in perfect harmony, and with much feeling. Miss Bleazard—who under took the part of the Sea Maiden at compa ratively short uotice —possesses a sweet voice, and sings with care and expression ; her share in the concerted pieces was well performed, and iv the solo " Our home shall be on this bright islo " she only lacked greater volume of power to make the per tormancQ completely successful. Mr Rhodes, whom we are glad to see as a member of the Choral Society, took the baritone part of the Sea King. His delivery of the descriptive air, " The Sea Rules All," was excellent iv vocal power and expression, and his singing in the closing trio was full of dramatic feeling. The chorus for female voices, " Hail to Thee," with its quaint accompaniment, was the most successful of the choral pieces, and was deservedly applauded. The trio with chorus, " Where Art Thou," was another favourite piece. But perhaps the fullest ellccts were realised iv the chorus of storm spirits, Down through tho deep, Down! down! where tho sea-blossoms wave ; Down I down I by tho mariner's grave. The voices aud instruments united in giving a complete interpretation of the " eddying sweep through the wide ocean desert to the bright spirit land." Music of this kind is a pleasing contrast to the heavier metal of oratorio, and we congratulate the society upon its enterpris iug effort iv the production ot music, "which, otherwise, would remain unknown to Auckland. 'I ho next concert is announced for May 17, and will comprise Chcrubini's Requiem Mass iv C minor, and Handel's Acisand Galatea. The rehearsal of these works will b:giu on Tuesday next.

Novoltios in Furnishing Goods.—Tho " Royal Axniinstor" Carpet with handsome borderjust landed, rich in appearance, and as soft as a Turkey Carpet; tho " Worcester" Stair Carpet tho pile is entirely made of horsehair, prettily shaded border, and is the most durable carpet for stairs ever made, and at a lower- price than Brussels: Handsome Coverings for Drawing room Suitc3just oponedby Garlick and Cran woll ; thoso Coverings aro proof against moths and have a pretty ground-work of silver, old gold colour, etc., etc.: Handsome Half-Tester Bedsteads now on. view. Tho greatest variety if Bedsteads in Auckland to select from. All kinds of llousehold Ifuniituro at very low prices, and 5 per cent, discount allowed for cash at ti •o of purchase This llrm carry on their Drapery and l lothing business on tho Cn-spjra tivo Cash System, marking their goods at a very small advance oncost trusting to a larso turnover to mako it remunerative. Furnish your Houso from tho City Hall Areado, [Gar lick and Cranwell, Propriators.-fADVTI

PRIZE FIRING AT NELSON.

[BY TELEGKArif, SPECIAL REPORTER,]

Kifi.e Camp, Wednesday afternoon. The first match was concluded this morn ing. The weather was everything that could be desired. The Dunedin m etJ arrived at 10.15 a.m., and commenced firing at the 200 yards.

There was considerable dissatisfaction amongst the carbine competitors on the intimation being made that the prize money would he reduced one-third. The men held an indignation meeting, and decided not to proceed with the firing unless the pro. gramme was adhered to ; and, on Major Baillie being acquainted that such was their determination, he promised (hat the matter be fully considered before any decision was arrived at. The Bring was thereupon renewed. The first match was continued and com pleted, and the second and thiid matches lired through. I had previously ex pressed the opinion that some tall scoring would be made litis week. The lirst match produced no senaa' tional result, but in the second, two Taranaki men made fine bcoics of 39 out of a possible 40, while another competitor got 3S. In the second match, 10G men fired, aa against 81 last year. The shooting throug. out was exceptionally good, and three men who made 38 are counted out of the prize list. The first Carbine Belt match only induced 44 competitors, as against 70 at the last meeting. The Champion Belt was started at 3 p,_, Ten shots at 400 yards. Some very good shooting was made, as will be seen by the appended scores. AVeir of the Thames was the only prize winner amongst the repre sentatives from Auckland, taking the Government prize with 36 points. North Dunedin have arrived. Shooting will be got through much quicker and more satisfactory than was expected. All the prizes have been given to the Association this year by citizens of Nelson, the volunteers of Marlborough, and the ladies of Wellington. The brewers of Nelson have given a prize of tea aud coffee service with £12 added ; the ladies of Wellington a cup : Nelson citizens, a valuable cup with £20. Many other prizes have been added. First Match.—Open to all members of the As- Bociation. Hanges, 200, HO, and 500 yards seven rounds. First prize, £10; second, £_'• third, £8; fourth. £7; filth, £6; blx_, £5! seventh, £'6 ; eighth.niotb, tenth, and eleventh' £2 each: twelfth to flfte"nth, £110s each [six teenth to twenty-third, £1 each: total, £70. The prizes were allotted in the order given, 200 yd 100 yd 500 yd Tl QrifTlths, Blenheim .. '.. 20 23 25 —7. Grossman, Nelson .. -.26 26 22 —74 Painter, Nelson .. -.22 26 21 —72 Wymcs, Blenheim .. ..23 27 23-73 Wilkinson, Dunedin (N.C.) -1 SG 23-73 Ho s, Hokitika 2G 26 21-73 Hughes, W'anganul .. ..20 :6 21 —73 Dixon, Wellington Navala 21 22 28 -72 Sameon, Hokliika .. .. 21 26 25 —72 Adams, Bruce (Otago) ..22 25 25-72 Kicketf, Waimea .. .. 25 22 25 —72 Smith, Grej mouth .. .. 23 25 21—72 Rogers, Hlonleim .. .. 23 20 23 —72 McKenzie, Blenheim ..22 27 23-72 Hnllinger, Wellington .. 21 25 23-72 Somcrviile, Wangauut ..25 25 22-72 Parslow. Thames .. .. 25 25 22-72 Chadwick, Putea .. .. 20 26 25-71 Wimsett, Nelson .. .. 53 21 21 —71 Gray, Nelson 23 21 24-71 Payne, Auckland .. .. 22 25 24-71 Anderson, Olutha (Otago) 23 21 24-71 Kills, Neleon 2.5 23 23-71 Chapman, Canterbury .. 24 26 21 —71 Handall, Wellington .. 21 26 21 -71 The following are the complete scores of Auckland in the first match :— 200 yd 400 yd 500 yd Tl Parslow, Thames Navala ..25 25 22 —72 Payne. Artillery .. .. 22 35 24 —71 Kendall, Thames Fcottish 23 25 21-69 Armstrong, Thames Navala ID 26 21 —69 Gill, Thames KigJ'neors .. 23 24 23-70 Bloxsome, Victoria Kifles.. 23 25 20 —68 U'oolley, Auckland Kng. .. 22 23 33-68 G-.rdon, Thames Navals .. 23 21 21 —68 Downic, Thames Scottish .. 27 23 18 —68 Curr.eron, Thnrnes Navala.. 22 25 20 —67 Taylor. Victoria Killes .. 23 24 20 —67 Hay. No. 3 Rifles .. .. 52 25 20-67 Keller, Thames Kng. ..22 22 23-67 Thomas, 'I lumen Navals .. 25 25 15 —C 7 Haslclt, Victoria Rifles ..22 22 22 —66 Cooper. Victoria Kifles ..23 21 18 —65 v\ eir, Thames Hcotttih .. 21 23 18-65 Tray.*, artillery .. ..25 18 21 -61 Hrco.nlleld, fcottish ..23 20 20-63 Han is, Thames Navals .. 22 22 15 —59 MoLeod,Thames Scottish.. 22 16 18 —57 Lumsden, Artillery .. ..20 8 11-39 SECOND Match.—Volunteers only. 200 yds; ten rounds; riilo representatives. First prize, £&; second, £6; third, £5; fourth, £1: fifth, £3; sixth and seventh, £2 each; eighth to twelfth, £1 each : Total, £35. The prize winners in the second match were :— Howell, Taranaki, Ist prize ... 39 Iloskins, Taranaki, 2nd prize ... 39 Fowler, Nelson, 3rd prize 38 Wardell, Nelson, 4th prize ... 37 Remington, Wanganui, sthprize... 36 Lovcridge, Taranaki, 6th prize ... 36 Beach, Nelson, 7th prize 36 Huuter, Nelson, Bth prize 36 Weir, Thames, 9th prize 36 Siuj.dc, Taranaki,, 10th prize ... 36 Lauder, Taranaki, 11th prize ... 36 Paynter, Nelson, 12th prize ... 36 The following also made 36 : Willcock?, Otago ; Downie, Thames ; Tart, Wellington. In the second match the Auckland men scored thus : Tovlor, 35 ; Cooper, 35 ; Has lett, 35 ; Bloxsome, 33 ; Woolley, 31; Hay, 31; Downie, 36; Weir, 36; McLeod, 31; Brownlow, 35 ; Kendall, 32. In the third match the following took prizes:— Third Match.—Volunteers only. 200 yds; ten rounds; carbine representatives. First prize, £S; second, (6; third, £5; fourth, £4; fifth, £3; sixth and seventh. £2 each; eighth to twelfth, £1 eaoh : Total, 35. Cameron, leading 37 Smith, Nelson 37 Bennett, Wellington 37 Dixon, Wellington 37 Armstrong, Thames 36 Keller, Thames 35 Parslow, Thames 35 Thomas, Thames (champion) ... 35 Ingle, Wellington 35 McUreadie, Wellington 35 The Auckland scores were : Keller, 35 ; Gill, 32 ; Armstrong, 35 ; Gordon, 34 j Cameron, 37 ; Parslow, 35 ; Thomas, 35; Harris, 34 ; Payne, 32 ; Trayes, 32 ; Lums den, 33. The first distance at the fifth (carbine) match was lired to aid the other two stages to he taken to-morrow. Harris (Thames) made 26 ; Urmseft (Nelson), Smith (Nelson), and F. France (Wellington), 25.

Eifle Camp, this day.

Just the morning for possibles was tho general remark as the men formed into squads at S "30. _ .'. Tbe Carbine men resumed firing in tho fifth match which finished just before eleven, and some excellent shooting was done. Tandy of Wellington making tbe first possible of the menting at 400 yards. while three men tie for first place. It will bo observed that the Thames men in pnrtxnlar, hold very prominent positions. Subjoined are the scores : — Fifth Match.—Volunteers only, Rangc3, 200, ■100, and 500 yds; sevon rounds at each distauec. Carbine representatives. First Prize, £9; second. £8; third, £6; fourth, £5: fifth and sixth, £3 each; seventh, eight, and ninth. £2 each; tenth to iiinet-erjth. £1 eacb. Total, £50, TEIZE WINNERS. Armstrong. Thames .. 21 21 25 —73 Fran-e, F., Wellington .. 25 25 23 —73 Hams, Thames _ .. 26 21 23-73 Wisdom, Wanganui .. 21 26 25 —72 Pan-low, Thames .. ..25 21 23-72 Thomson, Dunedin .4rt. ..23 23 25-71 Perry, "■'anganui .. ..21 24 23-71 Davy, Wo'llngtiu .. .. 20 25 25-70 Payne, Auckland .. ..22 23 25-70 Mcl.oan, Wanganui.. ..22 21 21 —70 Dixon, A., Wellington .. 21 21 21-70 Wilkinson, Dunedin .. 21 2fl 23-70 Franco. C. Wellington ..21 26 23 -70 Thomson. Pt Chalmers ..22 26 22 —70 Thomas Thames .. ..23 21 23-70 Cameron, Thames .. ..25 26 19 —70 Tandy, Wellington .. ..22 2S 20-70 1 nird, Wanganui .. ..22 23 21-09 Dixon, H„ Wellington .. 20 27 22-69 Ingle also made 69, but is counted out.

The Carbine Belt.

At the close oi the fifth match the princi pal Carbine Belt aggegates were :— Armstrong, Thames, 10S; Cameron, Parslow, aud Haris, all I names, 107; Dixon of Wellington, 106; Thomas (Champion), Thames, and Smith, Nelson, 105 ; Thomson, Dunedin, Perry, Wanganui, Wisdom, Wanganui, McLean, Wanganui, Bennett, Wellington, Ingle, "Wellington, all 104. This Day, 2.20 p.m. The fouith match is not completed at present. Doidgo, of Nelson, stands highest with 72 ; Paynter, of Nelson, 70. Payntcr (with 10G) has the highest aggregate for the Kifle Belt of those who have fired. The Auckland men's scores iv the fifth maich, carbines, were:—Payne (ninth prize), 70 , Lumsdcn, 66 ; and Trayes, 59. Colonel Reader, in reply to Captain Wild man, ef the Thames Navals, wires that four members of coucil now at "Wellington, are agreed that any alteration iv the pro gramme would be unfair. The carbine money prizes will, therefore, probably remain as previously allotted.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 2



During tho month ot January, 26 vessels were supplied at Onehunga with 22,850 gallons of water, and paid for the same ill 88 fid,



Special Advertisements. T. W. H ICKSON: (Lato Inspector Goneral Survey Doportmont), liVgs to inform his (riouds and tho public g nerally that ho has retired from tho Govern ment service, and entered into businew as 1. AN l) RKO X X 11. l.uvnsi-d io Transact lUulncsa under tho Pro vl*i vus ot ilu> 1.-unl Transfer Act. SIIiVKSAI ttOOVt iNVKSTMBNTS OI'KX. £,v,-\o v \{ st-.e 1!;\<: FA»SMiI about Auckland to ' ' ____ i SiH4tSt«> _13H.MJ_ Sitks in and out of town i <«rvc\"*of ovm ivwdp'.hmat Lowest Possible Rate*. | CVmvryanclnjt under Land Transfer Act at j trilling coat. S.R'TH BRITISH CHAMBERS, COSSKIi QUBKN AND SIIORTLANU STREETS. itF" r. si Z n o o d s tutew n OOPS I A. LINABURY & CO. Aro Now Showing their NEW SWUNG AND SUMMER GOODS. Wo hold tho Largest and Best Stock of COSTOMKS, MILLINERY FANCY GOODS, DRESS GOOD 3 i FLOWERS, FEATHERS, &o„ &o. Special Lino of Plain Dress Silks, only 3s lid por yard; worth os Bd. 5,000 Straw Hats, all now shapes. A Largo Stook ot Radios' and Childron's Under clothing. Dross and Menclc-making on tho premises Costumes mads in]2i hours'notioo. A. LINABURY & CO. 201 AND 20(5, OUEEN-STRUKT OpURE pASH QYSTEM 1 ALI7 f DRAPERY AND CLOTHING AT CO-OPICRATIVK CASH PRICKS, AT THE City Hall Arcade, Garlick & Cranwell, Proprietors. USTRLVN BENT-WOOD FORNITHRK.- A Largo Shipment just to hand, light and strong, suitable for Breakfast, Hit ting, Dining, or Drawing room (Black, Walnut, and L'ght Colours, GAKLICK & CRANWELL, City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Q,uonn-Btreo', Auckland. ARPKTS.—Tho l.argtst Stuck in Iho I'ro vince to select f rom—all kind?. 'I apes try, from 2< lid; Brussels, from la lid; Kid derniiuster. Felt, and Jute. Tho New Worcester Stair Carpot, mado of Horsehair, just received—tho most durable Carnot owr made. OARi.ICK & CRANWELL. BEDROOM FURNI TORB.-AGreat Variety alwiiya ready for delivery, to suit all classes. Chests of Drawers. Washstands, Toilet Tables and Wardrobes in various woods, Glasses and Toiletware. lie idinst of all kinds and sizes; Spring Mattrasses. GARLICK „ CRANWELL. EXHIBITION Designs in Iron Bcdstoatls.- Wo keep tho Groateat Variety of Iron Bedsteads in Town, and are Importers direct from tho manufacturers. Hand some Wood Bedsteads from our own Factory. GARLICK & CRANWELL. GARLICK & CRANWELL keep such a Large _. ssortment of General Household Furniture that you can Furnish a House throughout from their stock at a day's notice. DRAWING-ROOM SUITES in stock, euit ab'e for a Cottago or a .Mansion, all upholstered by ourselves, and guaran teed. Suites lor Dining and Sittiug tooms in various styles, GARLICK & CRANWELL. ONLY Warehouse in Town conducted on the London Syßtem, combining all depart ment? of Furnishing, Urapery, and Clothing. CITY HALL ARCADE. FIVE Per Cent. Cash Discount on all kinds of Furniture, Carpets, Matting, Floorcloths, ironmongery, Toiletware, aud Brush ware. GARLICK fc CRANWELL. BOOK CATALOGUES, post free oronappli: cation, to those intending to Furnish. Estimates and designs given. Carpets made up. Linoleum and Oilcloths laid. Needlework mounted. All kinds of Upholstery and Cabinet-work by llrst cluss workmen. inspect our stock: The Largest in Auckland ! GARLICK & CRANWELL, CITY hall arcade, Queon-strost and Lorne-3treet. Auckland, -ry INK!s& TTALL. HAVE REMOVED FROM SHORTLAND-STREET TO TEMPORARY PREMISES IN FORT STREET, i OPPOSITE COCHRANE AND SON'S AUCTION MART, AND WILL CONTINUE THEIR CHEAP SALE FOR A FEW WEEKS LONGER, TO CLEAR SURPLUS STOCK. THEY ILL REMAIN IN FORT-STREET DURING THE RE-BUILDING OF THEIR WARE HOUSE IN BHOATLAH--TBKEt. QTOCK-TAKINIi OAHGAINS In preparation for Stock-taking, WILLIAM RATTRAY has] REDUCED THE PRICES OF HIS LARGE AND WELL-ASSORTZD STOCK OF CUMMER /"10STUME3, m/TANTLES, AND TITILLINERY, In order to effect a clearance. I COBTUME3 at 12s 6d Reduced to 9a 6d 1 COSTUMES at IDs Cd Reduced to 153 COSTUMES at 25s Reduced to 19s 61 COSTUMES at 30s Rkduced to 25s COSTUMES at 353 Reduced to 28s 64 COSTUMES at 15s Reduced to 37s 6d MANTLES and MILLINERY aro Reduced in similar proportions, AT XjyiLLIAM "DATTRAY'S Costume, Mantle, Millineby, & General Drapery Establishment, BW ZEALAND HOUSE, 6C, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND. ANNUAL SALE WILL COMMENCE ON MONDAY, 20th inst. THE GOODS WILL BE OFFERED AT riOST piilCE! FOR A FEW WEEKS ONLY 1 ; i In Order to Clear Heavy Stocks ; i < t T i-IOSGRAYE fit p 0., '. Importers of a DRAPERY AND CLOTHING, J QUEEN-STREET. '" v Auckland. i, 2 c ii a V,B.—No Goods will be entered durinz the Sale, jl



Special Advertisements. STRANGERS AND TRAVELLERS1 Sis.ting Auckland will ilud tho LARGEST OUTFITTING ESTOCK IN THK COLONS' To Soloct from at THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Thousands of Customers testify to tho CUI'ERIOR QUALITY & piTTINCI Of tho Garments mado by thorn. Tho Stook of SHIRTS, THUS, RATS, and lIOSHCR V, Is very largo, anil includes a CHOICE ASSOUTMENT UF NOV E L T,I E 8 FOR THK HOLIDAYS, A special supply of PORTMANTEAUX RAGS, RUG;?, and all Travelling Requisites Eor Tourists. AUCKLAND BRANCH: Quoon-streot (opposito Thoatro Royal), I And at Albort-btroot, Thamos, J. FIT-SIMONS. Manaoku JUST RECEI VE D, American Lawn-sprinklers, With Plated Anna. Also, LAWN EDGE-CUTTERS, Unite Now. K. P O R T E R St C ()., Queen and llioit streets.



There is severe distress among the coal miners at Newcastle.



Nothing is mure pathetic than to sec a gentleman rise in a street-car and oiler his seat to a lady who lias been standing for a mile, overcome her protestations, and finally receive her gratitude, and then with n benignant and satisfied smile, hop right oft at his own store.