SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

II man'water^Sl br&g. w I HUNSKT.-Thifl Evening:. 7.6 I SUNRISE.—To-morrow Morning, 4.39 i MOON'S AGE^-iVotv Moon, Utu, 3.17 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY. Ifsnapoarl, p.a, Lou an, fromJßuseoll Dougias, g.9., Korris, from Meroury bay Wellington, b.b., Amodoo, from Tauranga '• - DEPARTURES. LAST EVENING. Byno, brlgantloo, liowicko. for Sawarrow TO-DAY. Munipourl, 0.?. Logan, (or the South

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

liOndon—Afchmore nnd Lalra. barques, loading Melbourne aid South—Manapourl, Thursday Sydney—To Anau, December 13; Zealandla, December 11

lievuka and. Snva (7)j)—Hero. Deoamber 11 y Tarouaki and South— lalaros. December 11 • GBioraoanaNapier—Soathern Cross and Oroti, • I early XAUranffu— Glenelg or Wellington, Monday and ; Thnrsduy Whangarel and Whangarei Heads—Argyle, Tuesday and Friday Mungawai-Dougla'?, Thursday :,; Mercury Bay—Uouglaa, Monday

VESSELS EXPECTED.

liONnou—Weathersfldd, sbio. MQKF, August 18. Aatsroa. barque. PQ"Q, Sopteuibtr 3. Border Obief. barqtw. WQFi.', Septembtr U. Famenoili. ship. September 21. JUataorA, barque, HNBF, November 3. Tythonus, Satn Meiidol aiid Brohmia. iondluß Octobar.

New Yobk— *ndroa Bus, baique, ja WT (at liaunceston November 25ih.) Grou3vaer.bit que, IB^N, July 1. Irina Measervey, sohoonor, JOBS. September 25. Olive Thurlow, barque, loading.

Newcastle — Cabarfoidh, John Knoz and Balls Mary, barques: Syrsn, brig. - HoniHBKAIei.ANDS-Maz3ppii, Fairy Queen. Pirate. Klslnore, Orpheue, Advance, aelle Bran don, India,

Socthbbn PoRTg-innle Wilson and Seagull from Dnnedin; Ada C. Owen and Ocaolj, from Tltnarn.

EXPORTS.

Par Tauranga (a, ba loaded at Meroury Bay' for Uun6dia-18.5C0 feet tlmbor.

Per Ryno, for Suwarrow-5000 feet timber, 53 mata sugar, ICO bags rio?, 33 casos meats, 73 o»ses prints, 70 tlna Wsoults. 50 tins flour, 2i cases geneva, 20 oases kerosene, 18 oatos tobacco, and sundry cargo.

Per M&naponrl for Napier —3) bunches bananas, 60 boxes candles, 13 colls rope. For Wellington-67 Backs cocoanuta, 92 casea pines, 728 bnnohes bananas, 32 sacss potatoer, Hlcoll-i rope. For Lyttlecon—2Cfi bunohes and 11 oases bananas, 10 saoks cocoanuts.l 117 oasea pine?. For[Dunedln-50 empty casks. W o&ees pine.", 50 racks nut?, 272 bunches bauanae. For Tlmatn —5 tocka potatoes, 19 casaa nut?, 8 cases pines. For Melbourne and other ports, a quantity ol sundry merchandize.

I Inwards Coastwise.—Janet, from Whan garel, with 800 bushels lime.

| I Outwards CoASxwiSE.-Janet for Whan !.;/ garei H : ads.

The schooner Ttmranga cleared at the customs this afternoon for Mercury Bay. where she will load 48,000 feet timber for Dunedin.

Captain W. Farqubar, who has been suffering from a severe attack of rheumatism for several months, had sufficiently recovered to-day to resume command of the s.s. Wellington, which, during hia absence, has been in charge of Capt. Amodeo.- '

The barque roromandel cleired ni the Cub" toms for Napier, this afteNOon, with original cargo from London, comprising 550 oa*ks oamant, 636 pilotages merchandise, end (shipped at Auckland) 3CO tons ballast.

The new schooner Louie, being ready fur sea. la ansoanobd to salt for Suva nnd adjooent ports at an early date should suffloient induce ment offer. "■ The only vfs?els in Mercury Bay yesterdsy were tha sohooner Julini Vo*ol ijast arrived from Auokiand) a&d.ths cutter Maua loading at ihn lower mill. Vhe barque Chile, -which left Auckland on July 13th, arrived at Talcaliuano on September sth.

The following passengers arrived from Russoll j bytheManaponri this morning .--Mr and Mrs Flood and child, Messrs Dunby, J. Young, G. Qaintal, Goffee, and Davis. Cargo: 16 sacks ■ whalebone, 4 casks whale oil. | The s.s. Southern Cros3 left Russell at 1 a.m. H to-day, and may therefore bo expectod here ,: early to-morrow morning. The s.B. Douglas arrived from Meroury Bay early this morning;, with 23 sacks «nm and 3 I tons sundries. Passengers—Miss O'Nei), Mra Molaaao?, Mrs llndd, Messrs Lyncb, Young, Molkla, B'askitrood, liworth, Harvey, Thoma?, "W. Green, Reid. BEd Honk. .' : The F. 3. Man&poarl left for Melbourne, via I Bouthecn ports, at noon to-day with ths follow- Ing paß3M)Z3is:—For Melbonrco: Mr sod Mra .Osmond, MiSi KavanaKb, Messrs J. D. Mac ' oawtlo and Rosenkrantz. For the South: Mea-

1 dames t. flodstuj, waterhonse, Cleizhorn. Mll "" ler. and i ohlldren. Mr and Mrs Hesles, Mr a-.d. § Mra Stephens, Mlese? Pollrad. Brlokan, and Moarea (2), nrlales. Messrs J. D. Valentine, ■'. Jones. 8- J. Thomas, V. V. Houghton, M. laid, andM. Kvinp. i Thes.°. WeßlnxtOD, from Tauranßa this morn- Ing, brought 100 Backs maize, 16 hides. 6 bundles eklnp, 5 bags gum, 9 bales wool, i tons sundries, and che following paasengorß:—Mrs and Mies : Rhodes. Mrs Edmiaton, Miss Vogan, Messrs Pagan. TayJor (2); Grant, Evanson, Terooe, Af flenk (2), Rhodes, Edgecwnbo, Heany, Snod grass, Thompeoni Bornhnm, Brown, 'Witt, M Donovan, and 3 steerage.

Mail Notice.

SLmm vrzxt ctosn as Citobb.- THIB DAS. For Tauranga, Ohinemutu, and Opotlki, per Wellington, at i p.m. . _ For Whangarel Heads, Whanaarel, and Kamo, porlomv, at 5 p.m. Friday, Bth Instant. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 10 a.m. For Waiheke and Coromandel, per Coromandel, at 2.50 p.m. __ For Whangarel HeaSs. Paras. Walpn, Whan garol. Kamo, Tsnglhua, and Mangapal, per Argyle, at i p.m. Saturday. 9th Instant. For Waltara, &0., per Maogregor, at Ba.m. For Walwera, Mahurangi, Matakann, Manga wal, eta. per Rose Ouey, at 10 a.m. For Norfolk Island, per Queen, at 3 p.m. For T&uranpa, GUsborne Napier, and Southern Ports, per Rotorua at 6 p.m. Monday, 11th Instant. For Lovaka and Suva per Hero, at i p.m.

For Australian Cjlonlas. per Zealandla, im mediately after her arrival from Honolulu. The Oolontal Government's p.s. Stella will leave the Bluff for West Coast Sounds on the 31st instant.

Si B. 8189, Chief Postmaster, OMef Poat-offlca, Auokiand.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

December 7, 1882,

Abbott's Opera House—Juvonilo Opera-Bouflo and Pantomimo Company, 8 p.m.

American Novelty Ball. Queen-street — Exhi bit on ot Paintings ot Kgypttan War end Pro tontatlon of Hlftp, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Choral Hall—Horr Carl Sbhmitt's Concert, 8 p.m.

Avondale Public Hall—Meeting of Settlors in terested in dovoloping the mlnfiig resources of the Avondalo District, 7.30 p.m.

Y.M.C.A.-Dovotlonal Meeting, 7.30 p.m.

Birth.

CONDON.-On November !5,1882, at hergresl denoe, Wollesley-Btieet, the wile of J. Condon of a daughter. HARVKY.-On November 5, 1882, at her resl donoe, Edwin-street, Newton, the wife of W. J, Harvey Of a eon.

Death.

HAZARD-On December 7th, M«ia Haeurd, lata ot Saint Pierre les Oilals, Franco. Thafaoeral will leave her late rcßldenoe, Symonds-street, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. Friends are invited to attend.

Answers to Correspondents.

Observer,—You should send your complaint to the Sanitary Inspector. A newspaper on not open a correspondence about suoh trill ng matters. T. B, Hannaford.—People who have a pen. ohaut tor Buoh nastlness are deif to remon strances. "Let the hog wallow In his mile." Titat Floral Cross.— Wo havo frirtlut letters on Mr Spurgaon and tho flora cross from "J.V.,"' "A.8.," "R.8.F.," and others, but the correspondence, lias gone on long enough, and tho communioitlons now in hand are merely beating thrftshed-out straw. Wo therefore bring tho discussion to a close. P.O.P.—Tho name should bo pronouncod Hor mi-o-ne. Trjnsit.—lf there ia any infringmont of muni cipal or colonial law, the matter should bo brought under tho notice of the Superin tendent o£ Police, who will, no doubt, soo to it, Anonymoi.3 charges on suoh a subject are scarcely admissible Scrutator.—Tho number of ships that entered the port of Liverpool in 187J was 14,016: aggrc gato tonnage, 6,258,31'J; cleared, 13,620; tons, 6.110.059. Numbor of vessels belonging to the port, 2.127: tons, 1,443,389; and 183 boats en gaged in soa fishery. Tho numbor of vossols that entered at tho port of London In 1875 was 11,811; tonnage, 4,910,533; cleared, 8,601; ton nage, 3,972,097 ; vessolß belonging to tho port, 2.584; tonnage, 1,201,108; bosides 198 engaged in sea fishery.

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1882.

Tot tho causs that lacks assistance. For the wrong that needs resistlnc* For tbe futurs la tho distance, And the eood that wo can do.

Time was when physical science had to be pursued in face of the cool indifference of States, princes, and potentates, and had even to encounter the keen opposition of the Church, then superior to the State, and holding the lattei in abject subjection. It is just two centuries and a half siuce Ga lileo was cast into prison by the Inqui sition at tome for teaching that the earth revolted; and now what a change! To appreciate the rapid strides which physical science lias made since tbo first dawn of light broke through the almost hopeless relapse of the Dark Ages.it is only necessary to compare the relative progress of Science and Literature. The immortal Shakespeare had written all those masterpieces of human genius ere Galileo's great discovery ot the telescope, yet Shakespeare still reigns un rivalled, if not unapproachable, while the iufamtile Science of his day has grown into a veritable giant— no grim ogre to terrify and destroy, bat a beneficent puwer.bringing Knowledge and its resultant Happiness to the human race, and unfolding, at every fresh advance, greater possibilities of future development. The Church (to her credit be it said) has loDg ago ceased to oppose impossible dog mas to the plain facts of creation; or if she does keep a watchful eye on the specula tions of geology and anthropology, her opposition does not pass the limits of a proper and useful ciiticism. Now, also, the Governments of the earth.fcce to exercise their functions, have awakened to their duty in the matter of scientific research. Of late years much has been done by various European States, and notably by Great Britain, towards the furtherance of scien tific pursuits and discovery. The elaborate and costly preparations made by various Governments for the observation of the Transit of Venus this morning afford, per haps, the best proof of the very altered es timation in which science is now held, as compared with its status a few centuiies back. The peculiar phenomenon of the passage of the planet Venus across the aim's disc is, by many competent astronomers, considered an event of only secondary impoitatice as a means ef determining what is already known with tolerable accuracy—the dis tance of the earth from the sun. Yet, to observe this phenomenon vast expenae was incurred eight years ago, and even greater cost baa been entered upon to-day, by the Governments of England, America, &c. All over the world astronomers and pho tographers, to the number of hundreds, have been taking simultaneous observations and photographs of the celestial pheno menon, which is looked upon with such interest, as much on account of its rare occurrence as of its scientific importance. In New Zealand three Government parties have been engage!— the American party in Auckland; the English party at Christ church; while our own Government have done their share at the Wellington Observa tory. We by no means deem that an un due importance has been attached to this event, nor do we doubt that the results to science will be great and lasting. From the accounts which we give in another coluum of Government and private observa tions, the phenomenon would seem to have been observed with success in this part of the Southern Hemisphere. The widespread public interest in the event is another sign of the times, pointing to the rapid dissemi nation of scientific knowledge and taster among the masses. Whatever may be the outcome of the obscivations made to-day when the results are all collated and com pared, the succeeding generation who will observe the next Transit of Venus will be bound to admit that nineteenth-century scientists and Governments were not blind to their duty to aid in the exploration of the realm of Nature and the discovery of the eternal truths therein revealed to, yet half-concealed from, human ken. And if by that time the inarch of Science will have rendered the Transit of Venus ao. event of no importance, all the more credit will rest with the present generation when it is remembered how much they contributed, by their enlightened spirit of progress, to the spread of a correct knowlege of natural laws.

Last night, a conference of Courts of the Ancient Order of Foresters took place in tbe Working Men's Club, for the purpose of considering the recent amendments to the Friendly Societies Apt. Mr T. W. Allen was appointed chairman, and Mr Hurst secretary of the meetiDg, The dele« gates present represented over 600 members of the Order, belonging to Courts City of Auckland, Robin Hood, Eureka, Zealandia, Nil DesperanOum, and Pride of Newmarktt, After the action of the • Legislature^ in passing the amendments to the Friendly Societies Act, had been explained, it was resolved to request the Registrar to sus pend the operation of the new provisions in the meantime. It is intended, however, 10 get the whole of the friendly societies to combine in this representation, and further action will shortly be taken in that direc tion.

The only business before Mr Maodonald, j K.M., at the Police Court, consisted of a : drunken man and woman, who were fined ' Ss each. Over one hundred cases .were set down ! for hearing at _\he Kesideut ■Magistrate's | Court tbis morniug, but, fortunately for His Worship and gentleman ot the bar, a large number were c mfessed or settled before tho sitting of the Court. At tho Onohunga quarterly licensing meeting, all the reports wero "favourable At tho Mount Koskill nueliog, tho report on the two hotels was satisfactory. The Mount Wellington meeting lapsed. A sailing race between tho three-ton yachts Sybil, Coronet, and Truaut has been arranged to tako placs on Saturday, start- ■ ing from the Railway Wharf at 2 p.m. and proceeding thence round the chequered buoy, Daphne's moorings, buoy off Railway Wharf; twice round, finishing at the star - ing point, "Kesident" writes from Day-street, com plaining of tho delay on the pirtof tbo City Council in forming and draining that street, as agreed upon several months ago. He alleges that the Council, aftor demand ing a deposit of £50 as a nocessary prelude to the commencement of operations, have allowed six weeks to clapso since the money was lodged, without doing anything to tbo street, aed meanwhile, tho Good weather suitable for out-door work is slipping away. The delay of tho Government in carry ing out the long mooted changes respecting the Kesident Magistracy of this city has given risa to a considerablo amount of speculation as to their intentions. A well known Auckland solicitor is reported to bo angling for the billet, but it is stated that the position will bo ultimately filled by a gentleman from the South. A nniversary services will bo held on Sun day next at tho Franklin Road Primitive Methodist Church, on which occasion the Rev. C, Barley will preach morning and evening discourses. An afternoon service will also bo hold. On tho following Tues day, the anniversary soiree will bo held; tea at 6.30, and public meeting at 7.30. Mr D. Goldte will preside, and addresses will bo delivered by the chairman, and by KeVB. C. Barley, J. Guy, W. S. Potter, and J. Robortson. A selection of annivorsary hymns will be sung by the church choir. In connection with the wreck of tho Tarnrua, the "Southland News" records that for some time past tho unowned graves, with others in tho same " God's acre," have lost their neglected appearance, and have shown evidence of being tended by loving hands. Flowers have taken the place of weeds, and other means have been adopted to beautify tho last resting-place of those upon whom tho gieen sod presses. This will be pleasing news to aurviviug relatives; but tho most gratifying fact ba? yet to be told, which is that the work has been done by tho children of the Fortroso school, who havo for sonio timo past de voted to it their mid-day play hour. In reply to "Charity," Mr R. S. Lincoln says: "If 'Chaity' will supply twelve largo vasos, and let me know when they aro placed in the wards of the Hospital, I will undertake to supply them with suitable bouquets for one month, nficr which period I might provail on others to tako their turn. I would also stnto that there are about thiity smnll vases at tho beds of patients, and I believe each patient likes his or her little nosegay, as well us tho largor ono fur the general benefit of the ward. It is not generally known that a few ladies nt tho institute are endeavouring to mal'o Thurs day a regular flower mißsion day, and they will be pleased to receive small bouquets on Wednesday eveuiogs or Thursday before noon. They cordially invite tho floral as sistance of all who possess gardens." Mr Linco'n adds that he would like to see a flower service held on the Hospital lawn in order that the inmates and the public may participate in the same, believing that to many minds a flower service is a suitable as well as a pleasing form of worship. A recital of sacred music was given in the Dovonport Holy Trinity Church last even ing. There was a good attendance. Tho choir selections, which were iv general fairly rendered, included Goss'a cantata in C; "Deus Misereatur" (Goss) in C, and the anthem, " Blessed be the God and Father," in which the solo was taken by Miss Burgess. Mr Nairn contributed a solo (euphonium) "Nazareth," and Mis* Linton made a feature of the vocal selection "How Beautiful," which was very well sung. Mrs Burgess sang "O, Rest Iv tho Lord," and with Mis? Burgess the duet " I Waited for the Lord," both very creditable performances. Mr J. A. liealo played several accompaniments and solos on the organ efficiently, and the Rev. J. Bated, incumbent, delivered an address on music. He referred to its use in church, and cave a description of the different classes of music used, viz,, anthems, chants, oratorio?, psalms, etc. A collection was niado durinsr the evening, the result of which, £4 Ss 7d, goes toward* the erection of a pulpit for the church. The most important news received for some time past from Coromandel is tho striking of rich gold in Scotty's reef in tbc Kapanga, from the lowest level, showing that tho gold goes down to a great dcpih, and, ensuiing the payable working of the mine for some years to come. The impor tant work just completed has baen from the main shaft. At the 425 tcet level from surface, a cross-cut drive has bcon carried in an easterly direction to cut Scotty's reef a distance of ISO feet, where it met tho reef. In breaking into the lode a few pounds of exceedingly rich specimens were obtained. The block of ground now opened gives fresh backs on the reef of 2(iO feet below the 300 feet level. Tho company has thus an enormous extent, of the reef opened up without the necessity of further sinking. Tho now Corby Company, ndjoiuiug the Kapanga, has been so far successfully floated that work will bo started in a few days from tha Kapanga whim shaft, which h only thirty links from tho boundary. It is intended to cull for tenders to drive 170 feet to cut Scotty's reef. It is also intended to start taking out crushing stuff from the old Corby leader, which is believed to bo payable. Tho spirited proprietor of the "Town and Country Journal," Mr Alfred Bennett, of Sydney, will present to every subscriber with the issue of the 23rd inst. a work of art lepresenting the remarkable defence of It rke's Drift, Zululand, which occurred in tie year 1879. daring the disastrous Zulu War. The Europeans, a mere handful of men, bravely repulsed the enemy at this drift, a repulse distinguished by much bravery, and which forms a striking ovemt in the history of the war. The picture was taken by permission from A . de Mem rille's original painting, purchased by the trustees of the New South Wales Gallery of Art, and will be acceptable to readers as a Christmas present. It is a faithful representation of the scene ; the rugged mountain scenery is welt-defined, and the features of the leading men—those of Majors Chaid and Bromhead, Surgeon- Major Reynolds, Assistant-Commisary General Dalton, Corporal iScheiss, and the Rev. George Smith—are at once recognised, The picture was lithographed by Messrs Little and Co., of Sydney. The "Town and Country Journal" is one of Ihe oldest and best of the illustrated journals of Aus tralia, and has a deservedly wide and influential circulation. It U a reliable guide to colonial politics, agricultural and farming operations, sporting, field, miniup, produce, and natural history, and general information on colonial life that has yet appeared. Mr Bennett's presentation to the numerous readers of his excellent pnblication will be accepted and treasured in many homes. To the Editor: Sir,-The Rev. T. W. Dunn,in expounding the science of Physiog. nomy, is reported to have said that a hooked nose was the sign of wit. Surely the rev. gentleman is mistaken, or his own nose has a desperate hook to it and he is poking the wildcat fun at the public. If such is the teaching of his system, commend mo to tbc "bumpology," which he affects to despise, and which is a true branch of the great science of Physiognomy. Hooked nofcs and wit, indeed 1 No "doubt Mr Dunn has observed that tbe Chinese are free from all suspicion of hook on their nasal appendage, apt! he will also have read that humour is a scarce commodity among the Celestials; but this Dy no means proves these two facts to have any relation to each other. The Jews ore celebrated for their hook-noses; but in their history j and their literature they show a more utter j absence of the faculty of humour tban does the despised Chinaman; aud a slight knowledge of classical literature will convince anyone that the faculty . resided more with the strai"ln-nosed tireeks than with the curvilinear Romans. Then, anyone who has seen the purely Grecian noses of the French and Irish (includicg not a few of tho "turn up" order very nearly allied to tho'") Celestial), and has recognised the great ; natural sense of humour which these ! people po.'fles?, will ba ablo to appraise Mr Dunn's delineations at their proper j value. It is evident that tha lecturor requires to go to school &o far as Physiog nomy is concerned, or he would not seek for the sign of humour in tbe noee,—l am, &c, QUIZ-PHIZ.

News of a sad occurrence at Homo was received at \Yeliiu|>ten by ike last mail. I twill bo recollected that one of ttao victims of the lever at Napier was Mr J. A. Isaacs, traveller for Joseph Nathan anil Co., of Wellington. Tho news of his death so affected his mother that she died of a broken heai t. i Dr Schweiufortli has succeeded in fresh ening and preserving many of the leaves aud flowers from gotlands found ou the breasts of mummies discovered last year at Dier el Bahari. A small herbarium is thus formed from plants which grew 35 centuries ago. A number of the species have been identified with those now foui;d in the Eaat. " /Egles," in tha " Australasian,ia respon sible for tho following : -" A lady, reei iing inonooftho suburbs of Adelaide, a strict Baptist, callod for the first time upon a new resident in the neighbourhood. Speaking of another family living close at baud, tho visitor pleasantly remarked : ' They are very good sort of people, but not Christians. They go to the Church of England."' The attractive and entertainim; Diorama of tho Egyptian War gains in public favour. The feats of legerdemain arc clevorly executed by Mr Bailey, who keeps up a flow ot suitable and amusing witticisms. Great interest is taken in the war pictures. Useful presents aro made to each visitor. The loading ones last night were the watch and elcdro tea and cotlooaot. On Satur day a matinco will bo given for school children, when each child present will ro ccivo a gift. After examining tho schools of the Sisters of Mercy, at Onehunga, on Monday, Bishop Luck visited t!>e school under the charge of Mr Honan. One of the pupils read an address of welcome, atter which tho Bishop iuspected the copy-books, and examined some of the upper classes in niithtnotic with most satisfactory result?. Dr. Luck was much pleased with the stato of tho schools, and, as a murk of his satisfaction, ho gave the pupils a holiday. To the Editor : Sir,—l see in your last night's issue you mention that a second cricketiDg team has gone down tho West Coast, which you call "a poor second eleven," Vow, I ventoro to disagroo with you on that point, supposing all the men you name had gone; but I happen to know that neither Messrs Fripn, Whi.c side, Wynyard, or Leader have 60 >c. which makes a lot ot diU'crenc^is they are all good men. X should advite the gentle man who supplied you with the paragraph to bo more accurate next time.—l am, &c, H WATEItUOUSE. Mining report? to baud to-day may re summarised thus: —Deep Level contractors have got the southorn drive at G4oft. level through tbo reef, and are now in good looking country. In the Southorn Cross mine, a connection has been made between tho winze and No. 4 level, and the men aro now driving on tho reef. The drive is now in 10ft., aud the reef is lOin. thick. On Tuesday, lOlbs. spenmons wero obtained, and a similar amount came to band yostei* day. Crushing will bo commenced next week. In consequence of tho injuries sustained by many of the pjsaengoH who wero in the mail train which recently ran into a goods train at Bathurst, New Pouth Wales, a number of claims for compensation wero sent in to the Govern ment, and mou of them have b:ea settled. Tho Montague - Turner Troupo have re ceived £100. £100 oE this sum is made up of various amounts representing tha claims of members of the troupe generally, two of whom have boon awarded £30 each, one £25, and others £10 or £5 each. Tho balance, £250, poea to tho principals of the troupe, and covcra the lots which they sustained by being delayed two nights in Bathurst, by having to go to the cxponsa of re-printing aud advorti.ing, and by having to pay for the hiring of hulls. A correspondent, forwhoao voracity "Tho Otago Daily Times" vouches, wiitos to that journal:—" The number of auomployed of oil classes hero in Duiiodin is great iudced, For instance my own naic is one in point. For five yean previous to Juno lust I occu pied a responsible position in an important mercantile firm ; I fell ill, and conse quently lost my position. During the last fivo weeks I havo answered every advertisement which has ap, eared in tho dlilies, but, notwithstanding that I havo fiist-cla<s testimonials and re ferences, I have hitherto failed to obtain employment. I havo waited upuu all tho principal merchants and business people hera, but without success. Althoiiah not accustomed to manual labour, I applied for tho positiou of storoman's assistant, yet even thsrc I was unsuccessful ; and no wonder, for your contemporary stated there wero 155 applications." To the Editor, Sir,—ln your account of the proceedings in yesterday's meeting of Presbytery, jou omitted to record an amendment moved by Mr tfunciman, to the effect that I should do allowed, ex gratia, to appeal to the General Assembly against the decision of the Presbytery in lofer^nco to Mr Breach's case; that amendment was lo^t hy 8 against 6, but through Mr liunciman's complaint, I am able to bring my appeal against tho decision of tbo Presbytery to tho General Assembly, aud so have gained my object. Mr Fraser complains, in his well-known rhetorical stylo, of tho state of matters in the Presby tery of Auckland daring the last three months. If he- will, however, refresh his memory, ho must recall his experience of the Presbytery of Gcelong, Victoria, during the last three months lie was connected with it.—Yours, &c, JOHfl MACLEOD. A very narrow escapo from certain death to a child of eighteen months old, oeloog ing to Mr C. Guodhuc, Xaamarcre, occurred on the Kawakitwa railway ia«t Wednesday week. Tho locomotive driver, Mr Giiveo, and Mr Karr, the guard, noticed a red speck on the line, which they took to be one of the red flags used by Mr Larkins'a plate-l»yi rs. Ou coming nearer, how ever, Mr Girven thought hs could mako out the appearance of a hand or arm, and gradually but suddenly approaching almost upon the object, ho discovered that it was a playful child dressed in a red frock. Hero Mr Girven, with his usual promptitude and presence of mind—for he has saved several lives already—at once reversed the engine, sprang from his stand, aud even ran up to tne child, dragging it of! tho Hue as the locomotive and carriages passed on, jiut barely touching the clothes of both child and rescuer. At the meeting of tho Takapuna Jockey Club lust night, a good deal of discussion aro-o on tbc question of holding a race meet ing at the Worth Shore on Kegatta Day (the 29th January). Several members took tho veiy proper view that it was not ad visablo to compete with the old established Auckland celebration of tho Anniversary ; they were, however, out-voted, and a reso hition carried to adhere to that day. We believe the general feeling among Auckland people will be that the stewards havo acted unwisely in this decision. Considering tho largo measure in which Auckland con- L-ibutes every year to the success of the North Shore Kegatta, it is bad taste to set up anything like a rival attraction to tho Auckland timc-honournd aquatic cele bration. Tho Cvorth Shore is a marine suburb, and a large proportion of tbc residents are interested: in aquatic sports; and tbat reason alone should be sufficient to deter a local committee from fixing for a race meeting a day incou voaicnt to rnauy Deyouport people. There ought to be something like reciprocity in matters of this kind, ana the promoters of tho races may depend upon it tbat a good deal of ill-feeling, detrimental to tho sue* ccsaful public amusements which ate now being provided as attractions to the worth Shore,will be created if this rivalry to tho Auckland regatta is pfirsisted in. We would therefore s'rongly urgo upon the stewards tho proprioty of ru-considering the decision. To the tfdifor : Sir,—How long are tho residents at Devonport to bear with the excwable cheeseparing p ijicy of the gov ernment in not granting them a letter do livery. If the prospects of the place did not warrant the c unmencement of the system, tben so much might be said for continuing it in its present shape, but when we find that the population far exceeds that of other places in the colony who havo the bonefitof a letter deliveiy accorded them, and that tho present and future prospects of the dis trict will compare favourably with any, in New Zealand, then I hold that ' tho residents are very forbearing, or what is iv»isii, dead to their own interests, in letting the matter rest ai it is. When it is taken into account the other multifari ous duties of the present postal official at Dovonporr, it is no wonder that complaints arise, without me otherwise saying thatjt is undesirable it should any longer remain in the hands of any person having large business connections. It is almost un necessary for me to say that the cost of a letter delivery would ba trifling compared to the benefits it would confer ; rather let me ask the reasons why it is continued in its present form. Well then, from what I can gather, the city people are anxious to keep it as it is, knowing well that withhold ing privileges from their neighbouis means .bencfiltint! themselves. Hoping that a more able pen than mine will take up the matter, and not allow it to drop until justice is done.— I am, &c, Kesidsht.

THE AUCKLAND CRICKETERS.

(BIT TELKGRAPII.—SPECIAL REPORTER,)

The Wellington Match.

WKLLINGTON, this day. The teim had a practice on the Basin Re serve to-day. The match commoncea to mono vr. Tho weather is splendid. It is expected that Blair will go straight on to Auckland from hero, but the team is not likely to lose a match on that account, Buckland filling the vacancy.

MINING NEWS.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

THAMES, this day. Southern Cross.—About 10 lbs of good picked stone were obtained from the West drive yesterday while breaking down three or four feet of the reef. Gold was left showing on the floor. The quartz here carried a large amount of mineral. Die reef is a nice compact lode in the face.

Bright Smile.—Bo lbs of specimens were bagged yesterday from tho intermediate drive and stopes, gold being left showing. Dart.—The water was this morning within 4J feet of the bottom level, which will probably be dry by the end of the week, The tender of Williams and party, at £1 9s per foot, was accepted foe sinking another compartment of the shaft, and they are already down 15 feet, but have yet to equate up and timber. Sharemarket (noon).— Deep Level: Sol lew, 3s. Mariner: Holler*, 3s 3d. Im perial (last night) : 3Gs; sellers, 33s (id. vjueen of Beauty : Sellers, 22a Gd ; buyers, 20. Southern Cross : Kellers, 20s (id. Bright Smile : 2s; sellers, 2s 3d,

HERR SCHMITT'S CONCERT TO-NIGHT.

"Gjod wine needs no bush," and no " puffing" is required to commend Herr Scbmitt's concert in the Choral Hall to night to tho favourable notice of the musi cal public, Neither do we apprehend that there is any call to bespeak for it their patronage, for that, surely, will be accorded generally and enthusiastically. No other professiooal musician has ever conferred such local benefit in promoting a knowledge ot the art. Apart from all this, the pro gramme prepared for the occasion has in tiiusic merits that could hardly be dis regarded. Tho first part comprises choice morccattx of a miscellaneous character, and the second consists of tho performance of Offenbach's sparkling operetta, "The Breaking of tho Spell."

NATIVE DISTURBANCE NEAR WHANGAREI.

(DV TBLKCIRAI'II—OWN CORBKSPONDKNT.)

WHAKGAKEr, this day. Me Bryce will need to bo prepared for any contingency In the event of Taurau Kuku pi's influence being insulllcicnt to induce the road obstructors to appear in answer to their summons. This is the third timo Kitoe, one of the delinquents, has refused to recognise a summons. All yesterday tbe natives paraded with loaded guns and tomahawks upon the disputed lands, and practised firing at targots from sunrise. This was witnessed by many of tho settlers.

SCINTILLATIONS

The Continuous Brako.—Tho careless housemaid. Marriageable daughters.—Daughters who never got mariicd. Mr J. McFadden has beon thrown from his horse at tho Mauku and killed. Mr David Munn, of tho Kamo hotel, has purchased ths racehorse Worm, on account of a company ot thrco. Bandarra has also gone tho tamo way. Mr Krrington, C.E., has gono to Wei lington for tho purpose of reporting upon tho practicability of obtaining a water supply for the town. " All the world's a stago," and when we make our linal exit, our very funerals are " performed "by men who " act" as under takers.

"Sco, mammal" cried a little one, as puss, with arching sptno and elevated rudder, strutted around the table, "see, Kitty's eaten so much sho can't shut hor tail down 1"; Mr Gardner lately pave a baildlng in Darby-stieet to tho Epsom Mutual Im provement Association, It bos been ro moved, and is now erected at tho back of tho Public Hall, for the purpose of a library and reading room. Edmund Marshall, Fred's brother, bai formed a comedy company in connection with Mr Ireland.

Sir William and Lady Fox are now in Auckland on a viflt, for lady Fox's health. They loave for Waiwera in a day or two. " I can marry an? girl I pleaso," he »aid, with a self-jati.uod.if-youloved-a-giri. would-you-marry-her exprimion upon hi* languid face, "No doubt," sho re»ponded, "but what girl do you please?" Thoy don't speak now. Mr J. Sheohan, M.H.R., with Mr Moor house will meet Mr Bryce at Rangipa, Taupo, to endeavour to sottlo the Muri moturun dispute An obituary notice in Utah closes toucb- Ingly—"He leaves 13 wivoa and 51 chil dren."

Princo and Princess Christian travel in Europe as Graf and Grafin yon Grafemtein. I< it real!y gottiog unpopular to be known as royal ? Flowers are not worn as bead-drceses this season. The bair is left entirely with out ornamont,or else it haa a small aigrette of feathera on the left side.

The Baroness Burdett-Coutts, at the out set of tho Egyptian trouble, made all the arrangements for the instant dispatch of trained nurses to Alexandria.

Tho Union S.S. Company have decided to placo tbo steamer Kotorua on the " ast Coast as an extra boat, calling in at Tuu raoga harbour on Doth up and down trips. A blind mendicant in Paris woars this in scription round his neck:—"Don't be R'hamed to give only a sou. I can't seo." Mr Bould, Inspector of Postal and Tele graph Departments, met with an accident whilst *iving in a buggy with Dr rollen. The horse shied and Mr Bould was thrown out on his beat).

Wafcon was presented with a bat for his fine batting in the Auckland match, and Fowko, who kept the wickets to well, re ceived a couple of presents also. France, which' used to lead tho world in the matter of fashion, now follows any "craze" imported from London, and in Paris it is " chic" to bo English in tone and style. The Princo of Wales is about tho only married man of the ago in London society who habitually goes to balls and dances. Few Englishmen are regular ball-goers after thirty-five. : Mias Oliver, licensee of Garton's Hotel, was proceeded against at the City Court, Melbourne, for allowing her premfcos to be used ior gamins; purposes, by permitting a box, labelled " Bcz, care of J, J. Miller," which was alleged to he tho receptacle for letters applying for tickets in Miller's sweeps, to stand in one of the rooms of the house The case was dismissed.

R.M. COURT.-This Day.

(Bofore J. E. Macdonald, Esq., R.M.) JUDGMENTS FOB PLAINTIFFS.

Dr. Richardson v. A. Wilson; claim &i (medi cal expenses. Costa, &2 5s 6d. Mr Georgo for plaintiff. — Holland and Fortzor v. Nevillo Thornton; £3 17s (groceries). Costs, &l 3s 6d. Mr X Cooper ior plaintiff.—R. Hampton v. John Hall; £U2s (clothing). Costa, 145.-J. P. Stod dart v. P. Mclntyro; £3 15s (Te .iroha calls).— Same v. J. Atkinson; 12s Gd. — Same v. B. MoCaffenny; £11 13s.—Same v, P. Hayes; £22 lGs, with coats. Mr Theo. Cooper for plaintiff. —J. Bolcher v. F. Dyer; £3 3a 3d. Costs, £117a. Mr Browning for plaintiff.—A. Emrile v. E. Piesso: £7 7a 6d (seaman's wages). Costs, £117s 6d. Mr E. W. Burton for plaintiff.-J. Craig v. R. King ; £2 14s lOd (share of butohers' moat). Costs, 11S.-J. Keysin v. W. West; 17s 6d (com mission). Coats, v2s 6d. Mr Cotter for plaintiff.— Hammond and Byron v. W. Hurno; £9 5a 11 (goods). Costs, £2 13(. Mr Browning for plsln- UffJ.-K. Giles v. W. H. BiebblnK: £8 IB* 44 (butcher's bill). Costs, £! 19a. Mr George for plaintiff.— KebertSoott v. John Adams; £83s2<f. CoBtB.JUI7f. Mr F. Cooper for plaintiff.-W. Hjkoti v. V. Hftrneoa; £14 Is (work). Costs £1 7b—W. Harnoss v. V. Harness; £t< Is (work), withnosts. Mrßpeed for plointiftv.—J. Mosea v. X, L, Lambert; £1U (clifh njoured Mill. Coats, £2 i7i>. Mr Hoorga for plaintiff.—H. J. White, v. Rirhird Gaor^e; £3 10a (fixture's) Costs. £1 17s.—Mr E-. Cooper for plaintiff.—John Grey and Sons v. R. Gcorgo, £20453 d (goods): costs, £i 13s.—Mr Georgo for plaintiff.—Henry Kcesing v. Geo. H. Whito, £16 18s 3d; coats, £2 65.-Mr E. Cooper for plaintiff. ' . Defended Cases.—Owing to the large influx of business, His Worship agreed with oounsel to sit to-morrow and tako about ten defended cases, which it was impossible to take to-day. Judgment Summons Cases.—His Worship promised to take theso casos at 1.31), to which hour theCpurliwas adjourned,. .

TELEGRAMS

(FKOM OUR OWN COKBESrOfIDENT),

THAMES, this day,

At a meeting of the Colonial land Settle ment and Endowment Association, held in the Catholic school-room last night, the follow ing resolution was passed : " Taking into comideration the purpose for which this association has been started, this mooting heartily approves of its aim, aud pledges itself to further it."

WELLINGTON, Wednesday. WELLINGTON CCJP. Emir Bey has been scratched for the Wellington Cup.

OHRISTCHUKCH, this day.

The Hon. W. Kolleston and tho Under Secretary for Mines, visited Terawbiti goldmines yesterday, and inspected several of the claims. Mr Kolleston expressed him self highly pleased at tho appearance of tho mines and samples of stone which were taken out.

SOUTHERN CROSS PETROLEUM

COMPANY.

A meeting of (hareholdera in the Southern Cross Petroleum Company was held last night, 12,000 shara3 being represented. It was rosolvod to protest against the proposal by the directors to let 50 acres of the com pany's ground ou tribute, and Mr H. Wi'son was appointed to represent the shareholders at a meeting to be held shortly at Giabotne.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT WAIUKU.

Yesterday morning a fatal accident oc curred at Waiuku, tho victim baiog a man named Thomas James McFadden. From the scant intelligence to hand it would ap pear that as McFadden was riding, his horse fell on him, causing almost instantaneous death. This morning an inquest was held, at which a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

SPORTING.

'laranalei Races.

(BY TBLEGBAPH,—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. The Taranaki races came off to-diy. Tho weather was fine, but the attendance was not large early in the day, although tho number increased later on.

Handicap St*eflhchase —New Year, 1; Dianthus, 2; Larrikin, 3. It was an exciting race toward the end. A protest was lodged against the winner by the owner of Dianthus. for not jumping properlyi .

Annual Examinations. -St. Mary's Boarding School, Pon sonby.

OK Tuesday, the sth inst., the examine tions of the abovo school vook place in the presence of His Lordship, Dr. Luck, Bishop of Auckland, who was accompanied by Bight Key. Monsignor Fyncs, Very Rev. Father Walter McDonald, Ecv. Father O'Hara, Rev. Father Paul, and Kcv. Father Lobanon. The follow ing programme was gone through very efficiently by the young ladies of this long established school: - Entree piece (piano), "Canaty Bird*," Misses Dunn, O'Brien, O'Sullivan, B. Wallnutt, G.ltbrd, C. Wallnutt; harmonium, Miss Atkiu. son ; address, Miss Tole ; v catechism; Bonp, "La Belle Etoilc." Fiist class: Latin, parsing, Grecian, literature, gram mar, ltoroan history, and geography. Duot, " Home to our Mountains," Misses lanignn and Dorvao. Song (solo from " Lurlinc "}, Miss Tolo. (Second class: History and geography. Piano duet, " The lilobo Quadrilles," Misso3 O'Sullivan, Gregory, O'Brien, Kano. Biophy, and Fordham; harmonium, Miss Atkinson.^ Tbird class : Hi.tory, geography, and rocitatii n. Song, " Carnovalo." Piano duet, "Lucia di Lammcrmoor," Miseoa Tole, Laird, Wall nutt, O'Sullivan, Atkinson, and Darby. List of Pbize*. Ist Class : Miss Kane, fiist prize, general knowledge; Miss Z»da Kane, drawiDg; Miss JKita Tole, vocal and instrumental mus!c; Miss Atkinson, good conduct; Miss Giffbrd, ancient history. 2nd Class : Miss G. Darby, English his tory, work, and vocal music; Miss Wall nult, composition and maps; Miss Jen nings, arithmetic and grammar; Miss K. Fordham, geography, work, and vocal music; Mias Morgan, general improve ment ; Miss Dunn, French and work (2nd division); Miss Lawson, parsing andanaly sis; Miss O'Brien, attendance and work; Misa O. Driscoll, French (Ist divi sion, 2nd clats); Misi O'Sullivan (2nd division) English History, vocal music; Miss Maggie datnill, arithmetic; Miss M. Butler, general improvement; Miss B. Gregory, history, work, and tables; Misa C.Wallnutt.home exerciser and politeness. 3rd Class : Miss Knchel Butler, attention to studies; Miss Rose Butler, arithmetic and geography; Mies Kate Butler, history, Miss Brigham, politeness : Mis* Brophy, conduct and politeness ; Miss White, gene ral improvement, Miss Quiglcy, general improvement; Miss (lough, attendance. 4th Class : Lilly Stanford, arithmetic ; Delia Dersan, history ; Maggie Lanigan, tables; Cecilia Allanach, writing; Annie FltzGibbon, spelling ; Willie Haven, tables and deportment; Thomas Jones, tables; Allan Stanford, poetry; Michael Dervan, poetry; Nellie Fallon, roading; Michael Lanigan, spelling; Miss Ivy Knight, poetry; Miss Mary Kice, poetry; f.ddy Lanigan, spelling. At the conclusion of the examination?, tho Bishop addressed the pupils In a few kind -words, expressing his great satisfaction at tho excellent manner in which the young ladies acquitted themselves. He told them j tbat they had entertained the visitors with a variety of subjects—lrom .Latin, history, literature, &c, to minor subject?, and above all, he paid them a hiyh eulogium on their musloal attainments. He coogratu- j lated them on the excellency of their teach ing, and the careful training they had under their devoted nuns, many of whom had come fioni their distant homes to dovoto themselves to the care of the children of this city. He reminded them that lv other schools oveiy branch of a careful and highly-cultivated education was taught, but in those conducted by religious bodies, religion was added, show ing that it was only by good religious training that real happiness could be attained in this world. In conclusion, His Lordship said he would contribute a prize at the next examination for the most advanced in Scriptural knowledge. We must not omit to mention that the Very Rev. Father Walter McDonald gavoa special prize for general knowledge, Miss Kane being the happy recopient. We have to make a special notice of a beautiful map of the North Island of New Zealand, the work of Misa Zaida Kane; it reflects groat credit on the said young lady. Most honourable mention is merited by Misses Kane, Tole, Gifford, Atkinson, Laird, and Butler. _____

AUCKLAND SHAREMARKET.

Dkoembek 7, 1882.

National Bank—Buyers. 78s Oil ; rollers, 77s Gd N Z. Loan and Meroantlle-£C 5) to £5 59 fid Auckland Gas-Bayers Hi Ss Thames Gas— Baiera, 259 Union Hash and Door—Buyer*, £8 17s Gd Kia'ier and Co Bayers, lie Dd Oueen of Beauty—Bujorp, 20s 61 ; sellers, 21s (id Prinoo Imperial— Sellers, 3l>i Hand oC Friendship—SoUerp, £12 por share JOSKPH NEWMAN. Chairman,

The meeting of tbc Domain Board took place yesterday afternoon, there being present Messrs Bull (in tho chair), Walker Button, Masefield, and Peacock. A letter was received from the Board of Governors soliciting compensation in endeavouring to get an acre of the Government House grounds reserved as a Grammar-school iccreation ground. The Board declined the request.—A letter was alro received from Mr Nowland, supges ing the introduction of various useful plants and seeds, andadvising especially the iatrduction of hellebore for, the purpose of killing insects, ltoferred to the Garden Committee.—Accounts amount jnj» to £50 wero passed for payment, and with this business the meeting closed. ' ,

Sir Edward Wilmot, tha physician, was, when a youth, so far gone in consumption ihat Dr. Radcliffe, whom ne had consulted, gave his friends no hope of bis recovery. Yet he lived to the age of ninety three! upon which Dr He bordon notes : " This has been the case with somo others who had many symptoms of con sumption in youth.'' Modern research in medi cine nas now provided many invaluable reme dies for consumption, bronchial and cheat com plaints. Tho combination of Hypophosphito of Lime and Quinino with Iho healing Eucalyptus (or blue gum) has been the means of relieving and permanently curing bucli diseases. Possess ing thus a peculiarly ropavativo nutritive action, Aickin's Syrup of Eucalyptus, with Hypophosphite of Lime und Quinine, is a phar maceutical preparation specially invented for the relief of sufferoi-s from chest affections, Agents —The New Zealand Drug Company.

CABLEGRAMS.

[SrECIAL TO PBBSS ASSOCIATION.]

(Received December 7—noon.)

LONDON, December 0,

Consols unchanged at 99 6-7tb, ex div.; the market rate of discount has been reduced by g to SJ per cent. ; New Zealand securities remain at tbe following quotations: - 5 per cent. 1910 loan, 105&; 5 per cent. 1889 loan, 194 ex div.; 4J per cent. 1879 ---1994 loan, 192J ; Adelaide wheat, ex ware house, quoted at 495, a decline of sixpence ; .New Zealand wheat, ex warehouse, re mains at 43s 6d to 46s Cd, and Adelaide flour at 345; Australian tallow unchanged at 42s for best b:ef, and 44a 6d for best mutton,

At the wool auction to-day, prices were firm, and an active demand wa9 experienced! The catalogue consisted of 11,000 bales.

THE ROI'OMAHANA

MELBOURNE, this day,

Tho Kotomahaoa is ctill aground in the Yarra, and all traffic on tbe river is stopped in consequence, FRENCH CRUISER FvK MADAGAS CAR. PAKIS, December 5. Owing to the difficulty between France and Madagascar, a French cruiser has been ordered to the island forthwith. MR EAWCETT'S ILLNESS. LOjSDON, December 5. Tho critical state of tbe Hon. Henry Fawcett, Postmaster-General, is causing gieat anxiety. According to the latest bulletin, he is still suffering severely from diphtheria.

PaRDOiNS FOR EGYPTIAN REBELS,

CAIRO, December 5.

It is piobable that the re3t of the Arabist prisoners will be pardoned, except Suljeman Bey, who is charged with haying instigated the massacre of Europeans in Alexandria in June last.

AMERICAN TARIFF REDUCTION.

LONDON, December 5,

The American Tariff Commission have recommended a reduction in wool duties, especially on wool intended for blankets. They also advise a reduction of the general tariff, averaging 25 per cent.

FU«JSBAL OF DR. TAIT.

LONDON, Decembers,

'Ihe remains of the late Archbishop Tait were buried at Addington on Friday, the family declining to bury him in West minster Abbey.

THE MEW LAW COURTS. The opening of the Law Courts waa a brilliant spectacle. Her Majesty the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the members of the Government and Common Council were among those present. Immense enthusiasm was shown.

PROSECUTION OF IRISH AGITATORS

The proceedings in connection with the sureties required from Michael Davitt and Messrs T. M. Hoaly and Quinn havo been adjourned foir ten days.

THE SUCCESS OF THE ENGLISH

CRICKETERS.

LONDON, December 6. The "Daily News" rejoicea that the pride of the colonial cricketers has bsen humbled by the English team now playing in Australia,

ENGLAND AND FRANCE IST EGVfPT. England offers Franco the management of the Egyptian revenues.

AUSTRALIAN.

THE ROTOMAHANA AGIiOU«D. MELBOURNE, December 6. Th 6 steamship Rotomabana, which started yesterday afternoon for tbe Bluff, grounded in the Yaria, and has not yet ticcn got oil, Part of her cargo is now beinir transhipped into lighters, and it is expected that she will float off with to night's tide.. So far as is known, sue has sustained no injury. WfIARF LABOURERS1 STRIKE, SYDNEY, December 6. The stiilfe ot wharf lumpers has ter minated, the men having agreed to work at their former wages. MELBOURNE MARKET. MSLBOUR^E, December 6, Wheat, shipping, ia in fair demand at 5s lOd to 6s. Tncro is a moderate enquiry for malting barley at 3a 9d to 4s 2d. New Zealand 0:1(3 are in good demand at 3s lid to 4s 3d for feeding qualities, and 4s 4d to 4s fld for milling sorts, SHIPPING. MELBOURISE, December 6, Arrived this moraine: The Union Com pany's steamship liiugarooma from the Bluff.

CORRESPONDENCE.

A MELBOURNE VISITOR ON OUR ART COLLECTION.

(To the Editor.)

, SIR, —When I left Victotia for the land of tins Moa and Maori, 1 expected a treat in | the way of beautiful landscapes, and in this , respect I have not been disappointed, so tar, for indeed the view of Auckland and its surroundings from the summit of Mount Eden is, to the lover of tbe beautiful in Mature, quite a revelation. I did not.how eyer, anticipate that Auckland would pro vide me with a surprise in the way of art, but it has done so nevertheless, and it is upon this topic I desire to offer a few remarks, which I trust will not bo deemed presumptuous on the part of a mere "bird of pjssage." You huve in ( your Museum a small collec tion of oil paintings, which, taken as a whole, surpass in excellence tho majority of works of a similar class in the Public Galleries of both Melbourne and Sydney. Auckland is indeed deeply indebted to the generous dpnor of this collection, for having furnished its inhabitants with a high-class standard of merit in the way of art, which, if steadily adhered to in the future additions that will doubtless be made at the public expense, will ultimately place tho Auckland Gallery in the front rank of collections of works of art in the Southern Hemisphere. The finest picture in the collection is tho landscape by Yon i-upen, and it should be hung in the place of honour, namely, the centre of the gallery wall, Where it will be seen to greater advan tage than at present, owing to the better light available in the pace above indicated. To soo tliis picture is alone worth tbe trouble of a journey from Melbourne,to Auckland. I'he subject is a grand one, and the treatment of it masterly—the sun set effect, the management of light and shade, and the vigorous handling through out proclaim it a work of the highest ciass in landscape art, and worthy ot a place in the very host collections. 'J he Mtunfield pic'.ure is also a fine example of this great master, and neither Melbourne nor Sjdaey possesses such v specimen of his work. Tho painting of Maclise is valuab'e as an example of allegorical composition, but it niu&t not be judged as if the artist had painted it for the purpose of hanging a? it now is. The design was for a fresco on a collossal tca'e, when the hardness of line and the intensity of colour would not be so observable as in this work, which U merely a finished design. The Saint Sebastian, attributed to Guido, is a fine example of an old master, but it is cracking and peeling badly, and if not restored and varnished shortly, it will be utterly ruined. It is possible that Auck land may not possess anyone capable of performing this work, but there are two or more mea in Melbourne to whom it may be fately entrusted. The other p; ctures are each excellent in their way, and speak highly fjr the lase and judgment of the gentleman who ha<, with that largeness of heart which the love of the fine arts tends to produce and encourage, so generously made them available for the gratification and educa tion of_ those who cannot afford a private collection. The Museum also possesses a few veiy valuable specimens of Etruscan pottery and old JKoman glassware, which merit more prominent- positions than those at present assigned to them. I trust these few observations of a _ casual visitor may not be taken amis?, aud I hope they may have the effect of inducing visitors to'your city to inspect your Museum, aud thereby lea-n that even in this distant part of the British Empire the lpve of art (which is one of the chief in dications of the march of civilisation) is carefully fostered.—Yours obediently, William Lynch.

A quarter-mile foot-race between Messrs. Monnock and Hucksiep, for £25 a-side, has been arranged to take place on the Ellerslie grounds on tbe 23id instant. £20 was deposited in Mr Abbot's hands on Saturday evening last, and the balance ia to be added before the day of the race. Mr Forder will act as judge, and Mr K. E. Ellis as starter, The race ia expected to be very closely contested,

THE TRANSIT OF VENUS

T he very geaeral interest folt in this astro, nomical phenomenon was manifested throughout the city this in'orning by the appearance of little kaota of people in their backyards or on their verandahs surveying the heavens through various contrivances of a more or less crude and simple character, and by ihe assemblage of some fifty or more persons outside the American Obser vatory enclosure at the Dorruiu. Prom all parts of the colony the transit of the planet seems to have been clearly seen, and. the local observations are re garded as especially good. The early morning was line, and the sky almost cloudless up till a quarter to seven, when a slight haze began to diffuse itself amid ihe blue serene. It gradually thickened, until at 7.30, when the point of internal contact had been reached, there was a fleecy veil of clouds athwart the sun, and almost overspreading the sky. It grew still denser until at 8 o'clock the sun was completely hidden, and the cloudy canopy was not dissipated until after eleven. The obser vations, however^taken up to the period of internal contact were sufficient for all practical purposes, and from that stage forward up till the final egress of the planet from the sun's face, the telescope rendered the two bodies visible, although photographs of any value could no longer be taken. It is idle to speculate upon the probable nature of the calculations, for they have >o be com bined, compared, and patiently worked at before tbey ate likely to be made public. Several years mu-st therefore elapse before the full exact value and nature of the computations is made known. There ia at least every reason to feel hope ful regarding them. The outcome of tb6 observations of 1874, through atmospheric difficulties, was to render "confusion wor-o confounded," and so discourage astrono mers from placing much reliance upon • transit phenomena in iuture, but the very favourable conditions under which to-day's observations were made afford good grounds for the belief ihat they will be of great scientific interest and value, Mo further transit of Venus takes place before the year 2004—long ere which time every human being now in existence will have made his final exit from the stage of life. The American Observatory. In order to fully understand the modus operand? followed by tne American astro nomical party, it is necessary to furnish some descrip.ion of their preparations. The suite of buildings that they have had erected upon the eminence in the Domain meadow extend due north and south, some thirty' yards below the blockhouse, and are en closed by a post and spiked wire fence. After entering the wicket-gate at the southernmost end, the risitor passes a tent (for the storage of lumber), situated on his left hand, and reaches a small gal yanis«d iron shed, in which the transit instrument is placed. It is used for the determination of time and latitude only, and consequently was not brought into requisition this morning. This building is connected by electric wire with an auto matic chronograph in the blockhouse, and thence a wire stretches to the telegraph office. Some 15 feet directly in front of the door of the transit house a liimly fixed iron pier with a coffin-shaped iron cover had been pi iced, and on it the photographic reflector and lens weie put at a distance of about a foot and a-ba.lt apart. A wind screen of galvanised iron' stands at the western side of the space intervening between the transit house and pier. From the lens, a strip of ru!ping,inthe shape of an inverted V, extended towards the second galvanised ir«n building, ia which tbephotograpbicplates were exposed, iho ridging served to exclude the sunlight from the tube through which the image of the celestial bodies was transmitted. The photographic bouse had a western and an> eastern window, the panes of the latter being yellow, so as to prevent the ad mission of those prismatic colours o£ light that are detrimental to effective photography, while the western window was a movable slide so that it could b& opened and shut at will. Two equatorial tele: copes had been erected for the purpose of observing the periods of internal and external contact, and they were brought into usß as soon as photographic operations had been suspended. One was contained iv an octagonal shaped building with a movable pyramidal roof which stands to the vo3iern side of the iron pier already mentioned, and it was used by Mr Edwin Smith, while the other was erected on the open ground at the eastern side of the enclosure, and was used by Professor Pritchett, A signal post had also been put up, and from it the stars and stripes fluttered gaily in the bretze. The Mode of Operations, ■ Having now detailed the pontons and ar rangements of the Observatoiy, we append the piogiatnme drawn up by Mr Smith. (Chief Astronomer) for the guidance of his party. It is clear, explicit, and particu laiised, and therefore conveys a capital idea : of the modus operandi. It was as fol lows:— All members of the party will be at the station at 4 a.m, and will take their stations and perform their duties as directed by the chief of the party. The first duty to be performed will be the test ing of the level of the photo-heliograph, and the measurement of the distance between the back surface of the photo graphic lens and the front surface of the Keticule plate. These duties will be per formed by the assistant astronomer, assisted by Mr Gamble; after which he will immediately compare the chronometers and clock. The duties ot the various members of the party will then be as follows:—The chiei of party will take char«e of the operations in the photo graphic house. The assistant astronomer .will take charge of all. operations out tide the photographic house; will see that the heliostat and chronograph are properly cared for, and will measure the diameter of Venus with the double-image micrometer on the Equatorial Telescope No. 861 at such intervals as he sees fit. Half an hour before contact, he will take off the double-image micrometer and put on the eye-piece for observing contact. The h'liostat will be in charge of Mr Gamble ; whenever he is to adjust the heliostat, he will make two short- rings of the bell, and on the completion of the adjustment will make one ring. In case of a passing cloud obscuring the sun, he will make one long ring of two or three seconds, which will indicate to thooe in the photographic honss that no more exposures are to be made until the adjustment signal is again beard, In case the sun is ia a thin cloud, so that a very slow exposwe has to be made, he will make four or five short rings, and when the sun is out of the cloud, he will indicate it by one short rin^. The chronograph will be woundand supplied with ink by Vennison. Shields will be on duty inside the enclosure for any purpose he may be required. In the photographic house the chief photo grapher will remove the plates fiom the box, place them in the holder, call out the number, and after the exposure, will pass them to the assistant, photographer for de velopment, or put them in the box prey pa'ed to receive them. The assistant photo grapher will develop plates as fast as possi ble. The exposures will be made and record kept by the chief of party. No one but the chief of party, assistant astronomer, and the two photographers will be allowed in photographic house on day of transit- . In case ot a perfectly clear morning, the photographic operations will begin about five o'clock, wren pictures will be taken from three to five minute* apart, this in terval beiog gradually diminished, and be tween six and seven the greatest number of pictures will be taken. In case the weather h not clear, pictures will be taken rapidly and whenever possible. About ten or fifteen minutes befuro contact, photographic operations will be suspended, and the chiei photographer will leave the -photographic house to record for the arsiutant astronomer while observing contact, and Mr Gamble will record for chief of party while ob serving contact. Hdereal chronometer B. andS., 387, will be used in the photographic house and will be in circuit and record on the chronograph, and will afterwards be used by chief of party in observing contacts. Mean time chronometer Negus, 1449, will be used by assistant astronomer. After con-' tacts are observed, the assistant astron omer will again measure distance. Sidereal chronometer Negus, 1539, is not to be re moved from its present posi'ion. Any other observers who may be upon the ground mu*t furnish their own chronometers or use their watches, comparing them frequently with the mean time chronometer, 1449. Between the two contact observations no communication regarding the nature or time of the first of the two contacts is to take place between the observers. All notes and records must be completed before the observers'leave the station. The chrono meters and clock are again to be compared very soon after the transit is over. Incase the chief of pprty is unable to perform the duties assigned to him above, his place will be filled by the assistant astronomer. In this case the measurement ot the diameter

fKI£ AfltHUiAfctf" EV

EfifWG BT&M TfIURSiMY. DECEMBER. 7



II npHELASTDAYiS APPROACHING. If •'■: The CloslDg of the Great Sale of Clendintng's ii BANKRUPT STOCK, iff The Remnants and Lengths acoomuJatod during ' our Sole will ba narked and cleared out at nominal Prices. FOB ONE WBEK ONLY. Several Lota of Dress Material will be. sold at : 3/9 for 12 yards ■■-.■■' Lnsirea <n all Co ours will ba oloared at /fij per ': ' yard' • ~ • . - ■* 1050 yards Somerville's Flax PWrlinga. /7J. 8014 elsewhera at)/ par yard ':;>: Horrocba'a and other celebrated makes in . Calioos. /3| per yard Good-Household Calico, 121, worth /5 White T grill Sheeting (good quality), two yards : wide, /10i per yard Brown Holland?, /3} per yard, worth /S ? W8 will clear tae remains of our Waok and Coloured Silko at 2/101 per yard, regular prioe, 6/6 ClendlnWa Stock of Men's Meroery and Cloth ing will ba sold at enormeos reduotion Fob One Week Okiy, at B&MV&Jj COOiiBSS & CO S , QOEBN -STREET, 650 Boys' and Youths' Salts speola'ly low, from i > i/Ll, at S. COOMBES & COS., Quesnstreet, . mHOENTON, SMITH AND FIBTfI | HAVE FOR SALE :- I'l Crown' Flour, in sacks, loo's and 50"a » Champion' „ „ „ „ w& || , 'Cantab" » », ... » i' 'i 1 ■ Sharps ■ 1 !:|| Bran |, Fowl Wheat I Hill- Whabb1 Mill, Auckland. || 'Q, A L S A L I N "Tl |HI \ ;_ ' Jus GBKtT Food Preservative. 'i'.i! This Invaluable Antiseptlo Compound Is ill 11 TASTKIiKSB, ODOUitLjESS, and perfectly HABMIiBSS. HE i|- SALSAUNiS Keeps Milk, Soap, Beer, and any 111 S ■ ■:■■.■ flald fond sweet and wholsaoine ! , I , In any weather. '■ '|,i SAL3ALINE Koona Meat fresh and Bound, ; i I and makes it tenner and digest- Hi It ■ ibla. IlilII" SALSALINK Keaos Kggs perfectly awoet and I!',!" i untainted for a year or more. 11H ■SALSAUNB Keeps Fresh Butter quite palat t'l'lll I able, and frea from rancidity in I }!;:■■ - > the hottest weather, ~ ■ 3 BALSALINE Keeps J-lsh lush and Untainted until required tor use. '.UK SA.LBALINB Keepslnfants'andlnvallda'Food IS (E-— " sweet and wholoeome, and pre vents Hituleuoe, griping, and Bill diarrhoea. |i|' BKND FOR PAMPHLET. 19 I KS See Report by Dr Heotor. C.M.Q., F.E.8., II ■ Colonial Laboratory, Wellington. I Sold by the principal Grooera and Store keepers In la and 2a packets. I I : Bole Agents for Anofcland-TAINE BRO3. ||i.-' IJEW T3 AKGA 1N S .131 . -O ifII TT7ILLIAM T> TVRIDGMAN'S. 111 200 Pairs Ladie3* Dogskin . Gloves (slightly 11, spotted), aU size 3. Is 3d pair: worth fa 6d ii': 180 Pairs Ladieß' While Lisle Thread Hose, ■ from Is pair <:;:!: 150 Pairs Lace and Mnslin Curtains, 2s 9d to 30s ilil! - pair ■111 '' *5 Ladies' Black Silk Jackets, 20s, 255, 30s, 353; I ffll •• very cheap ■■>'■ ■''', 90 Ladies' Cashmere Capes and Dolmsns, 5s to I Pi 25s &c. .i■ ii A Large Lot of New Black Silk Fringes, 2d to 3s 6d yard; very cneap. 'b!3 A Beautiful Assortment or New Plain and Figured Sateens—white, cream, blue, pink, Hi .. fawn, drab. &c.. Is yard; choice goods lsl 120 Pieces White and Groy Calicos, to be sold at IB:, '. wholesale price ,''',. IH " Unbleached All-Linen Table Damask, wide ii width/Is 3d, Is 6d, Is 9d yard ■ ; '■■ A Very Large Stock of Corsets, all makes Hi and styles. Is lid to very good 1 Horrocks's Longcloth, 3id yard; Crewdson's 'i Calicos, iid yard „ , „„ || 100 Men's Tweud Hats', Is 9d; Men's U.B. I 1 - Large Lot of Si?elt Carpets (slightly damaged), ffll . 15in wide, Is lid yard ■ ■ _. ■ . : i: Choice Lot of Silk and Satin Windsor if V Scarves, from Is ' , II '■ Boys' Tweed Trousers, 4s 6d pair; Mensand !j j,i. Youths' ditto, from 53 6d pair • I A Large Lot of New Summer Clothing, I!" marked at very low prices. Boyß'Knicker M« Suits from 6s Cd i ' Large Lot of Remants, very cheap I Numerous Lot of Job Linos, bought cheap; i ■ to be sold cheap. ■ I 6 Per Cent. Discount on Cash Purchases 'ij j of 20s and upwards. «, JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE I 1 WOK ■ S A h, B, [II .§5 ALtOSMENXB. ~ !i ! STOKKB'S POWT (Main Road)-& x 234. &lh II i ' AVON DALB-1 sore (opposite School), £90. ill COtiliTiQUi KOAD-AUotment S3 sc 100, M per IB* *'■ loot. ]'i , NOBTH SHORK-Fi6Kßtaff Boad, 100 x US. flB:■■:■; - £3(joj ■'■'.■■..■' IH EIiLBRSMB (oiiise to Statlon)-C6 x 160. £1 per Bm ' tOOt. ' ifSj. .- . . ? Essy terms, HI Also, several fleairabla Cottagea on terms to :i .; suit purohaserg, j •']' ■■ Labour Ksoli&QKO oufi SaEato ARenoy, j ; ' Hlgh-aticeot.-A. X, OftTtur, Manager,



I special Advertisementa. O V S A L E, BROADCAST OLOVUJR AND BKED BARROW DRILLS, epeolally adapted for sowing broadcast Turnip, Clover. Rye Grass, and other small seeds, AMERICAN HOHBS RAKES, whloh, with one Man and Horse, will collect ready lor carting three to I our tons of Hay per boar. SELF-RELIEVING CHAIN HARROWS, bo well known that description la un necessary. COLONIAL TAIL HARROWS, whloh tor strength, efflolenoy, and simplicity have no rival. CHAFF CUTTERS, for bend, horse, or I steam power. Also, FIIOUSHB (Single and Double), SUB SOILHRS. HORBB HOES, CULTIVA -OKS, &c &c, &0., manufaotnred by Taos. CoßßExr, Bhrewabuty, England, at priooa whlon defy competition. i Also, COULTAS'3 9EBD AND MANURE DRILLS, KEiRSLSY'S COMBINED REAPER AND MOWER. ROBEY & CO.'S BTEAM ENGINES AND THRASHI MACHINES. W« J« HUBSX & Co,, 101. QUKKN-STRBBX. Auckland* THE Wonderfully Increased demand for our Celebrated Goods, made of NEW ZEALAND TWKKD3, has necessitated the Firm Ereotlng an Extensive and Costly New Warehouse:, to give accommodation to the EXTRA QLOTHING Staff, and to make room for the New Machinery, whloh has been personally selected by Mr. HsUonstoln during bis recent vieitto England and America, THK FACTORY will now be the Largest Hatab- ' llahment of the kind In the Southern Hemisphere, and as desoribad in the " Otago Daily Tinifls," promises to bo a MoiJol WlarohorißO. The AUCK LAND BRANCH Address is— 158 AND 160, QUKEtf-STRKET. Theoholoe variety of NKW GOODS now Bhowlnc has nothing to oom pare with it in the whole of Queen-streeTj auckland. J. FITZSIMON3, Branch Manager. " mHE riAKD of the oeason. A TRIUMPH OF ART. THIS Comet Christmas Card WILt Btt ISSDED ON MONDAY, oth NOVEMBER. Pbicb..,.«......«.. u 0N8 SHILLING. ent to any address on receipt ol 1/1 In stamp*, COPYRIGHT SECURKD AND PUBCHASED BY Y^ILLIAM J^ATTRAY, DRAPER AHD CLOTHIBxJ, 178, 180, & 182, QUEEN.STREBT, . AUCKLAND, A.. JLINABURY & Co.'S NEW GOODS I NEW GOODS 1 NEW GOODS I NEW GOODS 1 WE ARB NOW SHOWING OUR FIRST SHIPMENT OF Spring- and Summer dress goods, millinery, jackets, mantles, ulsteks, &o. , WE HAVK THE LARGEST AND BHSt SBIjSCIBD 3TOUK Off MILLINERY IN MILLINERY MILLINERY AtTOKrANn MILLINERY MILLINERY AUOKtAND' MILLINiSRY -4.J+. —You are— —respeotfolly— -invited to visit— —Our Establishment— —before making— —your Pur— —chases.— DRESSMAKING ON THE PREMISES, COSTUMES MADE ON TWENTY FOUR HOURS'NOTICE. A. i, INABURY * C Ol> .204 & 208 QUEBN-STREUT. NORWICH UNILW iflKis INSUR ANCE SOCIETY. ESTABLISHES 17 97. Amount Insured exo _ _ _ _ __8150,000,000 Losses paid .——■.-,-.,—,_..<J3.7M,W0 THIS SOOIKTY, Well known for s liberality in its dealings, and for promptitude in the settlement of claims, is prepared to accept hibks on KVERY INSURABLE DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY, AT GREATLY REDUCED RATES. LOSSES PAID by Oheaue on Sooletra Bank ers in Auckland, without refereaoe elsewhere, immediately after production of PROOF OF liOflS. WILLIAM T. J. BELL, CulKf AGENT, Provincial Districts of Auokiand and 1 N.B.—Air Monies received Is Now Zealand ars iQveated in the Company, r I