STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT

AUCKLAND, SATUEDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1881.

EARLY SKETCHES OF NEW ZEALAND.

No. i -FOUNDING OF NEW PLYMOUTH.

CANNIBAL WAERIOBS OF OTHER DAYS. There were about sixty natives at Moturoa, and all were engaged* in putting up raupo houses. A long shed-like barrack was soon in readiness for Mr Barrett's whalers and their New Zealand spouses, partially staked oft' on each side, containing beds of ferns, blankets, pannikins, spoons, knives and forks. Hanged down the centre of the building were iron pots, rations of meat, potatoes, and a bucket of rum. Very soon, a busy little community returned by the "Brougham" was in full enjoyment with all its interesting daily incidents, gossip, and scandal. General bathing places were found in Barrett's lagoons, close at hand, and groups of white and brown children were summersaulting down a steep hill of sand, on one of the banks, into the water. Near this is Sugar Loaf Point, or Ngamutu, formerly a fortified pah of the Ngatiaua tribe (under Waripouri, who sub sequently became a celebrated chief in the "Wellington district) and was abandoned with exception of some 70 or SO slaves, the result of incessant wars between the natives of these parts and the Waikato tribes, under the great Te Wherowhero (afterwards King Pototau). This man appears to have been the Napoleon of New Zealand in his unbounded activity and determination to clear the island of opposing tribes. Whole sale supremacy by butchery and canni balism was (as he in after years said) his ambition; and to this end the cun ning fiend, Te Eauparaha, was chased down from Kawhia. In outward appear ance Te Wherowhero was of majestic proportions, terrible and ruthless in warfare, as if to out-Herod Herod, but in after times stood forth amongst the Europeans, under Sir George Grey's magnetism, as one of nature's noblemen, clad in evening costume with all the urbanity and gentleness of high culture. It was difficult to bear in mind that his fine physique had been built up with the tissues of human flesh food, and that whilst half floating in blood his hands had, after one of his battles, deliberately smashed upon a meri—an unexhibited hair-loom to modern order of things—the heads of three hundred prisoners brought to him, one after another, then carried away and cooked for a cannibal feast. Te Rauparaha, his apponent, driven down Cook .straits, and playing in his turn, cannibal emperor amongst the tribes—was of average height, <UgiiiKnil ?n I>*» Jo~.»~.. —4 *;„.-, ill acquiline features, murderous base of crainum, receding head and sunken penetrat ing eyes of calculating ferocity. This human tiger ravaged the country for twenty years, and was at last captured at Poriraa by Captain Stanley of H.M.S. Calliope, under the auspicesof Governor Grey, brought to Auckland, and there underwent a course of taming resulting in three or fours years' abstinence from youthful flesh food. On his return to Otaki he built a church, and died, it is to be hoped, in odour of sanctity, under the consoling observation that "he had not killed a European," nevertheless, it was considered by the scientists that his conversion was more of the material than the spiritual, for after the sacred elements had been administered to him upon his d3r ing bed, and upon the departure of the mission ary on thelast occasion, who had rctiredin the highest devotional satisfaction, he said' what is the use of all that nonsense; that will my belly no good.' Very different con sequences attended the closing career of fight and massacre of his satanic nephew, General Te Rangihaeata, for he was as unceasing in his malignity to Europeans, as ho was to the tribes. The execution of a'l his uncle's diabolical plots culminated in the Wairau massacre of 22 of the principal settlers of Nelson, headed by the amiable Capt. Wakefield, and the lunatic magistrate Thompson, and if Rangihaeata's uncle had had not been captured there is little doubt but that the New Zealand Company's settlements would have been destroyed as threatened. Rangihaeata was a tall, handsome man in calm mood, but other wise a type of fearlessness and terror; with Roman features, artistically tatooed from the nose and cheeks upwards, fairly rounded chin, and lips of an Adonis, although the small treacherous eye wore the smiling countenance into an expression of wily savagery. About nine years previous to our arrival at Taranaki, the district had been taken possession of by Te Wherowhero, and aban doned but subsequently sold by him to the Government for £500, under the impression that there would be no claim or necessity for further conquest. In the meantime, Barrett, by his influence with Te Raupa raha's tribe, had purchased the Taranaki country for the New Zealand Company by virtue of his well-purchased conquest. It appears that when Kawhia, at the North, had been made too hot for Te Rauparaha, he migrated to the South, to take possession of Kapiti, considering that from that island. |he could set up his sign of supremacy over the native tribes on both shores of Cook's Straits on his way. Te Wherowhero followed and attacked him, but was successfully re' | pulsed by Rauparaha. Te Ringjakuri (one of Te Rauparaha's chiefs) crucified the chief Waharoa (William Thompson's father). After this, Te Wherowhero with Waharoa (son of the abovenamed) besiegdd Te Rau paraha in his fortified pah of T?uke Rangi ora, at Taranaki, and carried it by assault. The slaughter and cannibal banquets were kept up m true pandemonium style. At one of these, Te Wherowhero alone sat upon the ground, with a notorious stone weapon in nand, and, as before mentioned, smashed the heads of his victims, the whole of Te Wherowhero's person being covered with blood. Jind brains. Te Rauparaha, with the remains of his army, rushed citadel after citadel along the coast, slaying all in his course, cooking and feasting with epicurean gusto upon the tenderest bodies. Meantime, Ngamutu, at the Sugar Loaves, was garrisoned with 350 warriors, with six European whalers and traders—viz., some of our co-voyagers, Barrett, Wright, Oliver, Akers, Phillips, and Love. The besieged were armed with muskets, and four small merchant-vessels' enns.

THE PAH THREATENED.

The Europeans decided to make a stand in the event of the 'tana' (war) coming South, although their ammunition heing hoop iron, stones, and a few rivets and nails; the natives promising to follow their advice, and not be afraid of the superior numbers of the enemy, who, on their part, had

learnt that the Taranaki men had four field-pieces in charge of the whalers which had infused a dread into their minds; and that the taking of Ngamutu would have to bs accomplished in a more hesitating manner than that of Puker angiora. It was therefore arranged by To Wherowhero not to attack the pah openly as they did the last, but effect its capture by treachery, under the potent impressions, of prestige of Europeans. Tlio great north ern army was therefore discovered from the pall, .it a distance of several miles, at daybreak making their way over the sandy shore in a disorderly slovenly man ner. The inmates shouted ' a fight, a war !' and immediately hastened to their planta tions, dug up all their still unripe pro visions and housed them in the pah before the enemy had time to intercept them, and with the advice of Barrett, banked their rush houses with clay to prevent the balls of the enemy from taking effect. The Europeans cast lots as to manning their guns, and took their stations, placing each field-piece in the most advantageous place. The enemy, upon arriving near the pah, perceiving that preparations had been made to receive them, halted for a consultation. Te Wherowhero soon afterwards stepped forward and waived his mat as a signal for a parley; he was soon joined by a chief from the pah. On meeting, the two hostile commanders sat down on the sand, saluted each other, and commenced the ' tangi' as if the most endeared friends. They talked of former times ;of the ancient friendship that had existed among the tribes. The resident chief inquired what his people had committed that they should now be sought after, to be annihilated similar to the natives of Pukirangiora, of whose fall they had heard. Were they not related to each other ? Did not the same ancestors bring them forth? Was not the country large ; -enough for cither party, and were not they weakening themselves before the white man, before whom they might yet have to make a stand for possession of the country ? Why should he and his tribe be made slaves to those to whom they had formerly given freedom ? (as had been the case in a former war). Were the Europeans not to be feared that even when they were dead a native could not eat their remains without fear of the wrath of their Atua; and in stanced where some Europeans had been killed at Taranaki and devoured—except the riyht hands —which had performed acts of bravery ! Much conversation took place of a similar nature, on which at separating, they embraced each other, Te Wherowhero exclaiming ' Well, we will have peace; and before we part, admit us into your pah that we may embrace our friends and declare mutual amity to cement our future affection.' To this the Taranaki chiof parties for some days. THE TRUCE WAS BROKEN within the hour by the enemy, who rushed forward and commenced the war-dance in front of the pah. This was received by the natives within the defences with different emotions—some of them hailed it as tidings of peace ; others, more prudent, regarded it as a signal prelude to battle. The Euro peans joined in the sentiments of the latter. When the dance ceased, with its diabolical din, an immediate rush was niade oh the pah, accompanied with a heavy discharge of firearms, which were afterwards thrown behind them by the warriors, and which were picked up by the slaves and women. This movement quickly undeceived the besieged, who instantly rallied and caused the enemy to retreat, carrying their dead with them, before a scattering volley from the field guns and musketry. The besieged lost a few men also. Some skirmishing then took place at a more wary distance, and both parties retired within their en trenchments. The next day several volleys were dis charged at each other, during which a Taranaki chief, in a Jit of valour, ran towards'the enemy, and, siiddenly stopping, ! discharged his piece, and, in hastily return ing, a ball waslodged in his back. As he fell, a party rushed from the pah to protect the body from being taken by the enemy, and caused a skirmish between the bellige rents, wherein a few were killed or made prisoners on either side, during which the body of the chief was carried into the pah; His frantic widows threw themselves around the remains, tearing their hair and excori ating themselves until they were almost undistinguishable, from blood and filth. A number of relatives of the deceased joined in the display, all huddling together, covering themselves with mats, mingling their blood with tears, and yelling in tones of distraction. A SURRENDER WAS NOW PROPOSED by the Waikato chiefs, and a number who were known to be amongst the bitterest foes to the besieged were admitted into the pah, to the amazement of the Europeans at the madness and indiscreet folly of their friends, exposing the weakness of the de fences, and permitting even the handling of the big guns, and the proposal of sur render would probably have been accepted but for the prudence of the Europeans, who knew well the signification oi a native ' crowning mercy.' FURTHER HORRORS. On the fourth day of the seige, a slave carried a message to the pah appointing a meeting between Te Wherowhero and the head chief of the Taranaki party. They met on the sea shore opposite the pah; mutually expressed much concern, and con versed affectionately together, apparently both inclined for a lasting reconciliation. Te Wherowhero and Waharoa preteuded to feel ashamed of their duplicity, and pro mised to withdraw their forces immediately. So soon as this welcome news reached the pah some[of the inhabitants determined to mvite the Waikato tribes to join in a friendly dance with them, but the great number were apprehensive of treachery. This difference of opinion was the source of perplexity and quarreling. A young chief who disputed with his wife threw himself into a large fire and was nearly roasted, and died some days afterwards. Two sisters had a fracas on the subject; the married one, who was in favour with the Waikato party, ran out of the pah towards the party whose cause she had espoused, and whose pretended friendship caused these quarrels ; but their affections, thus put to the test, was shown the moment they caught the woman, as her body was cut in pieces in view of the pah, and the mangled parts washed in the river, thus tapuing the water, which prohibited the beseiged from making use of the only liquid sustenance they possessed. Having thrown off the mask, an«assault was-again made on the pah, whose inhabi tants, horrified at the treachery of their

enemy, manfully resisted with the deter mined co-operation of the Europeans in defence of their lives and property. The enemy then threw fire brands over the fences on to the rush houses; but in this they were frustrated by the vigilance of the natives and tlio carefulness of the Europeans. The enemy attempted to undermine the pallisafebjv digging away the earth, but the natives within excavated a-new line of trench. The Waikatos in several assaults lost men <lia%,, ami every expedient was adopted by thenu to intimi date the harrassod inmates tip snirremlcr, which would have been attendiedi with success, but for the interferenceof the1 white men, who felt convinced that their san guinary enemies were only thirsting; for their prey, and that death in iigliSingr was far preferable to that of torture. The assaults were still made; ftlie- teg guns plied with the utmost circumspection, and every vigilance exorcised l>y Dire Europeans,, so- that' the losses were- chiieffly on the side of the assailants. The-white men became- at last nearly prostrated with fatigue in their exertions against the deter mined savages and vehement efforts todrive despair away from the minds of the natives when the SCHOONER 'CURRENCY LASS,' of Port Jackson, arrived off the place and cast anchor to. discharge 'fresh supplies of trade and provisions (of which the English had been out of for some months) for a cargo of flax. The Waikatos attempted- to board the vessel and capture her, but were prevented by the vigilance of the master. The natives, finding themselves unable to accomplish their purpose, were determined to prevent communication It>ctween the English and the vessel. However, one of the besieged, of the name of Love, effected a passage on board by swimming amidst a shower of bullets without being wounded.. Upon getting on board,he advised the master to get under weigh to prevent capture of the vessel. Upon returning to shore under cover of firing from the pah, Love had to endure discharges of musketry from the enemy, which, however, were attended with the same futile results as on the former occasion, the marksmen having, as usual, aimed with too great haste. Aniessenger was sent to the same English man to meet the Waikato chief on board the schooner without attendants on either side. This was complied with, and a long and use less converse took place between them rela tive to the suspension of hostilities. The Englishman would not abandon his native allies, although Te Wherowhero told him that his determination otherwise was to take the pah, kill the white men, and pre serve their heads and sell them. But the great man was informed by Love that the BujjHohmc.i rrcic perfectly oatjflfjod WJtll time, and appeared to better advantage than they would if placed on sticks as pro posed ; that they had no ambition to add theirs to the large collection of heads that had been displayed from the. luckless tribe of Pukerangiora; but although the number of the enemy's forces were eight to one, they were determined to a man not to sur render, even were they reduced to a fourth of their present numbers. The chief pro mised to meet him alone on the beach on the ensuing day and give his decision. Mr Love informed his friends of the conversa tion, and it was agreed to enter into no treaty with so perfidious and hostile a horde, and that nothing less than their departure could restore peace. Mr Barrett, being the leading Englishman amongst them, was fully impressed with the im portance of holding to the last the posses sion of his wife and children, as did the others. Love met Te Wherowhero on the following day, and the subject was again discussed, when the chief told his auditor he would promise to take the white men only as slaves to Kawhia, which he thought a merciful commutation; but Te Whero whero was reminded by Love that people in general required to catch even a pigeon before they can decide upon its ultimate fate, and they parted for the last time, the wily savage being unable to lull the sus picions of the sagacious trader. The noise and bustle of a pah. during a siege is almost past endurance. The con tjnual discharge of guns, shouting, quarrel ling over military tactics, reiteration of deeds of valoiir performed or intention to do, the ariolations of the venerable priests, warriors demanding to have their fortunes told, others makingthcirwillswitliout giving their legatees the remotest chance of enjoy ing the goods and chattels bequeathed. The Europeans were now perfectly miserable— fatigued by long watching and fearful of surprise. They sincerely wished for a pitched battle that their fate nrigh be deci ded; their own party of natives giving them no less anxiety than their enemies outside. They were constantly harassed by their mutual jealousies, want of confidence,' courage and manliness. No sentinel could be depended upon, for sleep was yielded to whether under bushes or in the trenches. Nothing less than a musket discharged about their ears would wake them. The recorder of this account—Mr J. S. Polack in his early work; and cor roborated by the beseiged Englishmen in after years—proceeds to state that the Waikato natives possessed among them from three to four thousand muskets, partly originally purchased by them, and also the spoils of the Pukerangiora natives. The Taranaki war people could not muster a hundred of these weapons, and there was a traffic between the hostile tribes in the much coveted article of blankets, on the part of the Waikatos, for guns and powder to the beseiged. The Englishmen obtained also many guns for tobacco and blankets. Several skirmishes took place outside the defences, while some of the warriors of both parties were driving bargains within the pah.

Brain Weicshts.—The weight of the human brain, according to a recently-published work by the eminent Munich anatomist. Pro fesser Bischoff. is, on an average, 1,3C2 grammes to a man and 1,219 grammes for woman. The difference between the average brain weight of man and woman thus amounts to 143 grains, or 10.05 por cent. The brain weight or man ex ceeds that of all animals except the elephant (4,600 grains) and the larger Cetacees f2,500 grains). The brain weight of the largest ape is hardly a third of mans. Professer Bischoff has worked with a considerable amount of ma terial ; his data compris the weights of 550 men and 317 women.— Nature. Ah Oriental Jewess.—Mrs. Macky, wife of the Californian millionaire represented an Oriental Jewess at a recent ball in Paris, and her dress is described as follows: Overdraperies of pale yellow silk interwoven with gold, and looped with a clasp of large diamonds; a bodice of pale blue velvet embroidered with gold, togethor with a pale blue satin cafton profusely embroidered with tropical flowers and birds in natural hues; a toque of blue velvet embroid ered with (?old, with a diamond chain passing under the chin, diamonds braided into her hair, a necklace of diamonds and another of Oriental pearls; sapphire earrings with pearl-shaped pearl pendants, and brooches and bracelets of diamonds and turquoises.

THE QUARANTINE ISLAND.

What though wo boast nor classic height nor ftiliy-hauiited valo. Whero poet minstrels oft liftve sung the strange, heroic tale, Yet o'er the broad earth everywhere tho bony hand Vo dread lias scattcr'd richer beauties o'er the ashes Of tho dead. Anil thou, my own fair Isle! hast now a drearer charm for Me Than all the scenes of poets' lore or anoient chivalry. With yearning turns my spirit back to thee where'er I roan*— God's gem amid the waters, 'ncath His own eternal dome. Encircled by thine own broad stream, thy music-murmuring waves. And vocal with the minstrel's lays that conse crate thy graves, Tho flower that graced! oar British homo lies underneath thy sod r Transplanted from life's fleeting scene to blos som with it's God. . When first -we gazed npoii thy shores, and climbed the welcome s(eep. Wo little thought the gift we brought thy narrow bounds would keep ; We littlo thought her foot-fall would bo missing from our door, Or that the music of her laugh would gladden us no more. 1 The tai's song, the sen-bird's wail, the mnrmur of the sea, The joyous sounds of childhood send my spirit ; back to tlicp; i But when I roam tho green sward, where the j loved are laid to rest, I envy those who deck the graves of those they loved the best. It! may bo that my feet shall tread those hallowVl scenes again, AnVl I may watch the dancing waves incoming Crom tlio main; But no* for her the charms we prize, the soul entrancing lay, The scones are ever glorious—but my bird has flown away. But why tho oft-repeated sigh, and why tho fond regret ? And why tho longing for the post that lingers with me yet? My bairn is with the angels in the country of Che free. But Ho who called her homo has left her memory to me. —E, S. Husband. .

THE FARMER'S SEVENTY YEARS.

Ah, thero ho is lad, at the plough; lie beats tho boys for work, And whatsoe'er the task might be None ever saw him shirk. And he can laugh, too till his eyes Hun o'er with mirthful tears, And sing full many an old-time song In spite of seventy years. " Good morning, friends! 'tis twelve o'cloock, Time for a half four's rest." And farmer John took out his lunch And ate it with a zest. " A harder task it is," he said, "Wra^^bWn^Teir^ 1"*" " You ask mo why I feel so young; I'm sure, friends, I can't tell. But think it is my good wife's fault, Who's kept mo up so well: For women such as she are scarce In this poor vale of tears; She's given mo love, and hope, and strength For more than forty years. " And then my boys have all done well, As far as they have gone. And that thing warms an old man's blood, And helps him up and on. Hy girls have never caused a pang, Or raised up anxious fears; Then wonder not that I feel young And hale at seventy years. " Why don't my good boys do my work, And let me sit and rest ? Ah ! friends, that wouldn't do for me; I liko my own way best. Thoy have their duty: I havo mine; And, till the end appears, I mean to smell tho soil, my friends. Said the man of seventy years. —New Fork Sun.

DEACON DAY.

The church hez been an- voted straight Agin my voice an' view 3 To put a carpet on the floor An' quishuns in the pews. I'vo been a deacon o" the church Fur thirty years or more. An' never yet hey seen no need 0' carpetin' Hie floor. I've helped to build the old church up, An' I hey done my share To feed its preacher every year An' keep it in repair. I've took my place each Sabbath day, Contented, ez could be. An' I hoy alwus found my seat Wus soft enough fur me. I'vo of'n found myself obleeged .To give my boys a shake To mako 'em mind the preacher's tost An' keep 'cmsclves awalco; But when they get the carpets down, An' stuffln' in each pew, . We'll all o' us begin to snoro Aforo tho sarmon's through! The stoves'll soon be pitched aside To hey a furniss flro; They'll vote to hey a vestybule, An' orgin in tlio choir ; But whon thoy git the flxin's in, ,! An' gewgaws on tho door, I'll never feel at homo agin Ez I hey felt afore. —Eugene J. Hall, in Chicago Tribune

Plucky Mountain Women.

Mrs Marshall and Miss Taylor of Fire hole Basin, Montana, were the heroines of quite a remarkable adventure lately. It seems that they were surrnrised one after noon by seeing a large cinnamon bear on the root of the root house, endeavoring to make his way to the succulent viands con tained therein. They tried to scare the animal away ■with such missies as were in reach, but bruin didn't scare worth a cent, and continued to tear the roof of the house as though they were not in the vicinity. Fearing they would be left foodlcss and famine-stricken, they decided upon trying other means, and getting a Sharp's rifle which hung in the house, they overcame their feminine aversion to such weapons, loaded up the gun, and going to the corner of the house took good aim and fired with such good effect that the bear came tumb ling off the roof and made a bee-line for his tormentors, who, woman-like, dropped the gun and ran into the house and securely harred the door. Unable to get at them the bear struck for the timber, and the ladies, seeing him going, picked up the gun, re loaded it and followed him. They had not proceeded far in the timber when they heard, the bear groaning heavily, asif much hurt, and, cautiously seeking their oppor tunity, they rested their gun across a log, again let drive with such good aim as to shoot it through the heart, killing it almost instantly.— Montana Madisonian.

Said the auctioneer:' Come now, ladies ang_ gentlemen, these goods are for sale, Will some body give mo a bid? Anything, ladies and gentlemen. All I want is an otter." 'Alas I murmured an elderly woman in the crowd, ' that'a what I've been sighing for all my life.



BEST Place for Ranges, Ovens, Stoves, and Blacksmith's Work.—R. NICHOLLS, 326. Upper Queen-street. HG. DORRINGTON. Pitt Street, Practical • Watchmaker and Jeweller. Repairs Executed. ALL descriptions of Cabinet Making and Up holstering done reasonably at JOHN EVANS, Parnell Rise. r^HEAP BOOT AND SHOE WAREHOUSE, yj 42, Victoria-street, Auckland—W. Holds worthy PRINTING.— Go to the Stab for Cheap Print ing. Largest and best assortment of type in New Zealand. __ EORGE WM. WHITCOMB, Baker, etc., Ponsonby Road. J YOUNG. Family Grocer. Shortland-street, • Auckland. JBIDLAKE, Upper Symonds Street. Clocks, • Watches, and Jewellery skilfully repaired. Tl/TADAME M GRIFFON, Milliner and Drees ■"A Maker, Upper Queen-street. MHIGGINS, Tailor, etc., 81, Victoria street, • Auckland. WANTED KNOWN, G. HAZELL, Fruiterer; Upper Symonds Street, Has added to his Fruit Business that of Grocer and Oilmen's Stores. His Teas will be found of the choicest assort ments. Has also a large assortment of Jams, Preserves, Spices, etc., etc., AT THE LOWEST TOWN PRICES FOR CASH. TTPPER SYMONDS STREET CHEAP U GROCERY STORE. J. HEAP, Family Groceh, Corner of Symonds and East Streets, Is selling Groceries and Oilmen's Stores for cash a3 low as any house in the Trade. Good Family Tea at 2s per lb ; Excellent do. at 2s 8d; Good Salt Butter at lOd per lb ; Bacon and Cheese as good and cheap as any house in town. Trial and Inspection Invited. RS. P E R R 0 W t 281, Upper Queen Strekt, DRESS MAKER, MILLINER, Etc., Returns her sincere thanks to her many friends for their kind patronage during the past year, and trusts by prompt attention to all Orders to merit a continuance. Mrs; P. has a fresh lot of SPRING GOODS now offering at Very Low Prices. LATEST IMPROVEMENTS IN PHOTO GRAPHY, t MARTIN & PARTINGTON'S Instantaneous Photographs printed by the New Platinum Process are the mo3t beautiful, artistic and permanent pictures ever produced. Martin & Partington, Market Entrance. Messrs. Martin & Partington having intro duced several improvements in Photography, are now producing pictures which, for fidelity as Portraits, and excellence as Photographs, are unsurpassed. TO THE UNINSURED ! FIRE after FIRE occurs—some persons un insured suffer, lose their all and are left utterly destitute, and were it not for the charitably disposed, who subscribe and relieve their immediate necessities, they would not know where to lay their heads! Why have the anxiety of being uninsured on your mind, or trust yourself in the hands of the Public, whose charity may fail, when for a FEW shillings you can be independent of all? The satisfaction of knowing that your loss will be paid for in the event of your Property being burnt is worth a hundred times more than the amount you pay for the Security. Many—especially the Mechanic and Labour ing Classes—say they cannot afford it. Non sense 1 Can you afford to lose your all, your home, which has cost you years of toil and trouble? No! The majority, from various reasons, think they are safe. " Insurance is all very well in crowded streets," say they, "but their property is so detached that it is not pos sible with all their care for it to take Fire." Hundreds of detached and first-class properties have been, and are daily, destroyed by Fire, which arise from numerous causes. You can not tell when a Fire may visit your property— therefore hesitate no longer. Insure your Property, whether Mansion or Cottage, Stock or Household Effects, and put yourself in a position to receivethe Benefits derivable by all from Insurance against Loss by Fire, which are so great and numerous when com pared with it 3 trifling cost, as to make it abso lutely necessary for every one to avail them selves of the protection afforded by the NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE . > COMPANY ' (Established in 1859), ---against the ruinous devastations of Fire, which at any moment may utterly destroy the fruits of a whole life of industry. Then write to or call at the Office of the above Company, NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE BUILDINGS, Queen Street, Auckland, where every description of Insurances are taken at the LOWEST RATES OF PREMIUM. RATES and Forms of Application can te obtained of— Alexandra E. Wiokham Bay of Islands John Williams Cambridge James Hally Coromandel. .R. Nazer Eden Terrace W. Reid Gisborne i William Adair Grafton Road. ............... A. Ashton Hamilton East Dey and French Helensville D. Stewart Howick...... Albert Grover Kaukapakapa Frank Dye Mahurangl Matthew Angove H^^\ George F. Linnell Mongonui R. M. Houston Newmarket . .John McColl Newton '... Joseph Warren Newcastle T. V. Fitzpatrick Northcote . J. G. Denby North Shore. Oliver Mays „ Lake D.Robertson Ohaupo J. T. Edwards Onehunga J. D. Jackson Otahuhu. •. John Hall Parnell W. and J. Frater Ponsonby. William McKinstry Port Albert Co-operative Store Raglan. W. H. Wallis Springfield .-. W. Kerr Tauranga .Ebenezer G. Norris Te Awamutu J. L. Mandeno • Thames . E. Honiss Wangarei Robert Mair Waiuku J. A. Adams WairoaNorth.... W. Reid Wairoa South D. J. Scott GEOEGE P. PIERCE, , GENERAL MANAGER.