SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

mm WATER JSS^STI&^L ».28 BUNBKT.-Thta Kvenlnp:, 5.31 BDNRISB.—To-morrow Mornlnu, 6.31 MOONS AQK.-Kiul Mooa, 29tb, 868 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

tIST MVKNINO,

Mendoza, batqao, Moore; from Lyttelton TO-DAY. Marlon, schooner, from Ruasoll Wellington, s.s., Amodeo, from Tauranga Glonelg, s.s., Stophcnson, from Rusaell Jnlla Prloe, sch.. Ohoinnet), trom Kuaaoll

DEPARTURES.

L4BT EVRNINO.

Rlslnoro, sohoonnr, Murray, for Rarotonga Oretl, ba , Campbell, for Gisborne Argyle, s.b,. Crawford, for Whangarol

TO-DAY. Tsubnkn, H.1.J.M.5., Capta'n Kasamn, for Japan Venus, kotoli, King, for Opotikl

IMPORTS.

Per Mendoza, from Lyttelton: SOO saoks potatoes.—Adam Laybourn. Bor Mendoza from Lyttelton:-3501 socks whoat, 950 bags flour, 170 sacks flour, 1 cases gum, 200 sacks malt, 335 mats sugar, 7 coses chic Mfc 482 sacks barloy, C 2 aiicks oats, 5a sacks oattfii«.2o bags poarl barley.loOU sacks potatoos.

EXPORTS.

Per Cumbria for London -383 tons copra. 1,658 oases gum, 13 tons guano. 120 bslos wool, 102 oasks tallow. 11 bales ootttn. 20 bales flax, 10 bales leather. 68 ingots zlno, 3 drams rivets, 7,930 horns. 27 bags bones. GO bugs bunjloe, 100 tons manganese. 1 ton bark, 3 baits basils, and a low packages snndrle?. . Per Annie Hill for Tlmarn, to bo. loaded at Tairua—lOO.COO feet timber.

ImvAnDS Coastwise. — Pukapuka, from Whangapara, with 13 pieces bault tlmbor; Meroury, from Tairua, with 2MOO feet timber; Sovereign of the Sea*, from Poverty Bay, with 80 sacks flour, 200 sacks maize.

Outwabds Coastwise.—St. Clair, for Port Charles; Pukapuka, for Patua; Saxon, for Iluasoll.

Lotters addressed to " John Colbin, lato of the Mission sohoonor Southern Cross "and "John Buokley.late carpenter of thobarquo Mendoza,' are lying at tbo Customs shipping office.

The ship Hermione will be the next vessel on the berth for London,

The BOhooaer Annie Hill, oloared at the Cus toms for Tlmarn via Tiarna fo-dny. The 8.8. To Anan, from Melbourne via Southern pores, may be expeotod here about 10 a.m. on Monday.

The barque signalled last evening proved to be the Mundozi, from Lyttoltou, wlca a fall cargo ot Kruin. Sholo^ds hero with gum, etc., for New York.

The barque Cumbria cleared at the Customs to-day wltn a full mineral cargo (as per Import list) and two paaeensers—Messrs C. Viokora and Q. Eastman, ttho is expeotcd to sail on Mon day morning.

The s.B. Oretl left for Olsborne and Napier at 6 p.m. yesterday, wltn a full oirgo sundries, and the following passengers :—For Glsborne— Messrs Morris. Webber, i.ove. Cameron. Oral*. Molestead, and Eelsall, For Napler-Ciptain Soott, and three others.

The 8.8. Wellioßton arrived from Tauranga at 6 a.m. today. Passengengers:—Mrs and Mleses ABher (3), Miss lxrach, Mr and Mrs Sharp, Messrs James, Qalbralih. Wilson, Cossar. Qrifflths, Oampnoy, Peel, Lewis, Howard, and three in the steeragei Uargo-5 saoks hides, i Dandles Bheepsklng, 3 tons sundries.

; The b.s. Glonelft, from Rqbholl, Whaogaroa, Mongonul, and farengarenga, Jeft Russell at 6JO p.m. yesterday, and called at Whangaroa, and arrived at iiuokiand at 10.30 am. this morainK. Pasten«rera—Mrs Stephenson. Mrs Mulvllie, Mies Glazebrook, Messrs B. K. Cooper, Shakespere, ainel, Krnlaplpi, GlUlard, Toy, larking, f«rguion, Mason, Kobertson, and Beveral steerage. Cargo-5751t timber.i 215 oases, ana 212 B acks gum.

The Government steamer Stella arrived In tho Manukao yostorday. Smco leaving Auckland Captain Fairohild has had tho buoys atPoniu overhauled, tho Shearer Rook "buoy painted, a cargo of lighthouse material landed at Mokohi nnujtho buoys otWhangarol Hoads overhauled, visited Capo Maria Van Dioman, Hoklanga, itaipara, Bn d Onohunga.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

AKIUVAL. Kowona, a». ( Soott, from Wanganul

The s.e. Rowena arrived from Wansannl at 10a.m. today, with 176 cheep, 216 Backs pota toes, 1 ton sundries, and several passengers. She leaves again on tiibbclsy for Hoklanßa.

The Union Company's steamer Penguin isdue from Southern ports about 7.30 a.m. to-morrow. She retnrnß South aooordlnK to announcement On Tuwday.

The Northern Company's s.s. Macßrogor had not put In an appearance up to 1 o'clock thin afternoon, hut would probably show up later or, She 1b advertised to return thither on Monday,

Captain Scott, ot the f.b. Rowons, reports tho sohooners Colonlut and Kleotwlsß and brimui. tioe Hea Gull lying at Manukan Heads wind bound when the Kowona passed this morning.

COMMERCIAL.

EVENING! Star Office, Saturday*

Mr R. Arlhur'a general sale Of provisions, trails, poultry, eto., was largely attended, and tbn following avorago prices realised :—Fowls, Is lid to 2a 9d ; obloks, Is 3d; Spanish, 2s lOd to Is ;,tuxkeys, la Id ; duous, 3s 8d to 2s lOi; geese, 3a 9d to In ; pigeons, Is 3d to Is 7d ; pigs, 94 3d to lls 04; potatoes, 2s to 3s ad; man golds, Is 8d; pumpkins. Is Mto2s M ; carrots, 3s 9d to is ; onions, Id to Id ; oats, 4i; maize, 4s to 4s 6d ; oatmeal, id ; flonr, £1S 10s to £11 • foieon, 2Jri to BJd ; bntter, 6d to 10Jd ; lemons, ■114 to 8d! Auckland oranges, 7id per doz; Bydnoy oranges, 7s 64 to 8a per case; apples, Hi : sugar, i\i I tea (box), 16s to 21s; salt, 4s 9d : ooft'oe, 19 2d ; lemon peel. Is 2d ; starch, 3Jd to Hi I bisouits, fid i soap. 14s to 28a ; white load, lid; lard. Cd; candles, Bd. On aooount of whom It may oonoern—Lump sngar, Hi to ijul ; 10,31 dto 4d; Fiji. 3id j rloe, 2d. Mr Ueorga Slbbin held his usual weekly sale of prodnoo yesterday. The samples submlited were vary superior, and satisfactory prloes were ob tained. Potatoes realised £3101 to £1 per ton ; walKO. 4s to 4s 3d per hnshel; and oats 3a lld to la per bushel. Bacon brought 4 Jd, and hat is 8d to 7d per lb. MR ALFRED BUCKLiSTO'B WKBKI.Y REPOHT. At the Haymarket nalo yesterday, fodder was In less than usual supply; prices ranged fzom 39 6i to 53 61 the owt.; barley, 2s 7d: maize, 3s lid the bnshe). iror the Christohnroh horses there was steady competition, particularly for the heavy draught mares, which brought prices varying from £35 to £67; draught geldings from £28 to £33; light h«oeso, £14 to £28. The draught entire, Karl of Mar, £89, The only. Ohrlstohuroh horse remaining unsold Is tho draught entire Haddo; he was withdrawn at the sale. £209 being required for him, and Prince Charlie brought £30.

Mkssrk Carbineh and Taylor report:— Poultry i Fowls brought good prices, 2s 6d 10 3s Id; turkeys. 3s to 1b 6d ; very yoang pigs, 7s to 12s. The trees and shrubs wero all cleared. Produce: Bams and bacon, <M to BJd perlb; beef, l}d : carrots. 3s 63.: oata, 3s lOd; maize, 4s to 4s 6a; bran, 7a 64!; sharps, 8s; obufr, 2a Cd , oatme&l. 18a per lOOlbs. Groceries: Tea, box. 21a; half-chest, la 4d to 2a cerlb: sugar, 4}<l; oornflour, 6d; atarob, Id to 4Jd. Household furmtnre and kltohen utonsils were all oleared at good prloes.

Mail Notice.

MAILS, TflLt CLOSB AS ONDOE.—

THIS DAY. For Tnirua, per Annlo Wilßon, at 3 p.m. For Waltara, &c,, per Lalla Rookh, at i.lO p.m.

Monday, 28th Instant. For Waltara, oto., por Macgre«or, at 11 a.m. For Coromaurtel, por Coromande!, at 12.30 v.m. For Friendly ißlands, per Cygnet, at 1 p.m. For Thames, por Rotomahana. at 1 P.m. For Whitiangl and Upper Mill, per Fingal, at i

p.m. For Tairua, por Mercury, at 3 p.m. For RusboU, Kawakawa, Wangaroa, and Mongonnl, per Wellington, nt 1 p.m. For Tauranga, Ohinemutu, and Opotlkl, por Glenelg, at i p m. For Thamos, per EntorprlßO, at 6.30 p.m.

TUKSDAY, 29th ins*. For Taranaki and Southern ports, por Pongnln,

at G a.m. For Walwora, Kawan, Omaha, and Matakana,

per Roso Casey, at 10 a.m. For Ilokianga, tto.. per Bowona, at 11 a.m. For Whannarol Hoads, Walpo, Wliangarol, and Mangapal. per Arßyle, at 1 p.m. For Knssoll and Kawakawa, per To Annu, at i p.m.

TtJKSDAY, Sept. 12. Per p.b. City of Now York, as follow :— For Sandwloh lahindß, Unltaa atatea of America. Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Gontlnont of Koropo, at 1 p.m. For money orders registered letters, and newspapers, at 11.30 a.m. Late letters bearing an extra tno of sixpence. In addition to the postage, will be roooived by the Mall Agent on board the steamer np to tho time of sailing. This mall will bo due in London, on Mon day, Ootober 23rd, 1883. 8; B. 8133, Chief Poßtmaater. Ohlet Poat-offloe. Anokland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

Auoust SS, 1880,

Woodyear and Rosa's Royal Australian Clrous, 8 p.m.

Kohler's Wax Worka, adjoining Mr Phllllpß's Shop, Queen-street, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Y.M.C.A.—Dorotlonal. 7.30 p.m. Frnnoh Literary Soolety — Kssay by M. doL'Kau, " Un Mariage Korao," 7.30 p.m.

Birth.

OBEBLIN-BROWN.—On the 16th August, at her roiidonco, Haatlngß Villa, Now North Road, Mrs. H, Oberlln-brown of a aon. O'HARA.—On Augnst Bth, at her rosldonc, Alexandra-street, tho wife of Ben. U'Uara of a BOn, 11KK3 On Angust 25th. at Rlveraldo, Shelly Uoaoh. the wlfo of William J. Reoa of a daughter,

Marriage.

CARBINES—PERT.—On August 22nd, at the resldonoe of K. J. Carbines, Karangahape Koad, by the Rev. Thomas Sporgeon, Benja min Carbines, youngest son of the lato Blohaid Carbines, of this olty. to Agnes Mitchell, oldest daughter of Robert Pert, builder, Sydney, N.a. W,—Sydney papers pleaso oopy. CLE4.VER-JOHNSTONK.-On August JSth. at the resldenoe of his parents, urey-street, by the Rev. Thomaa Hodgson, Thomas Clearer, second eon oC William deliver, to Barah Kmlly. seoond daughter of Robert Johnstane, o( Camorldgo, Wulkuto.—" Wal kato Times" please oopy.

Death.

BKO WN.-On the 21th August, Lnor Cathorlne. the beloved wlfo of Samuel Drown, Victoria street, Auckland, aged 60 years. Friends aro rospeocfully Informed that the funeral will loavo Vlotoria-atreot at 3.30 to morrow (Sunday) afternoon.

BURGKSS.—On Angaet 95, at Conquest Place, George Burgess, lined CO years. Tho funeral will leave his lato residence to morrow (Sondaj). at 3.30 p.m., far «t atoplion's cemetery, jrrlonds please acotpt this Invita tion.

COOPER.—On Angast 25th, at his parents' re sidence, at. Marj'n tioad, Auckland, Frederick Kdward, the balovod and only child of Kdward Cooper, solicitor, aged 13 months.

HEAD.—On Angast 25th, at her residence, Grace-street, Ponsonby, Mary, the beloved wife of William Head, agod 63 joare.- Ply mouth papers pleaso oopy. The f onoral will leave her late resldenoe to morrow (Sandiij), at 3 p.m. Friends please acoept thla Invitation.

MARTIN.—On Saturday, August !G, at hts late residence. John-atreat, Ponsonby, Alex ander Smart Martin, aged 65, eldest son ot the late Captain Alexander Martin, lIN. The funeral will take plaoo on Monday next, at 3 p.m. Friends »re reßpeotf ally In vited to attend.—Sydney papers pleaso copy.

Notice to Correspondents.

Contributor.—The Claimant's trial for per jury and forgery terminated on Feb. 211,1871, * when ho was sentenced to 7 yoara' imprison ment on each charge ; aontencoa to run con seoutlvely, not concurrently.

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1882.

For the causa that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistAnct For tho future in the distance, And tho good that ws can do.

Rumours continue to reach us from Wel lington of impending Ministerial changes, "lhe most important of these is the reported resumption of the Premiership by Sir John Hall at the close of the session. The resig nation of that office by Mr Whitaker would, of course, involve an entire re ■ construction of the Cabinet, but Ministers might safely venture upon the step with an assurance that Acting-Governor Frcndergast will not fol* low Sir A. Gordon's example and place his advisers in a fever of anxiety, by sending for the leader of the Opposition, In the rumour that Sir John Hall will take office, we can trace the cause of the report that Mr Bryce will retire. The dust scattered freely about by Ministeis and their newspapers, at the time of Sir. John Hall's resignation, never blinded the public to the fact that a trained relations with Mr Bryce, cul minating in a quarrel.had a great deal more to do with it than Mr Hall's health. The canard-makers, therefore, proceed in this wise: Hall joins, then Bryce retires. Sat try it the other way—Bryce was supported before by the whole of his colleagues against Hall; his native policy has been pleaded as a strong reason why the present Ministry should remain in office; he has already promised to meet Tawhiao after the Houses rises-ergo, the probabilities favour Bryce remaining in and Ha/1 out. Where fore, the canard-mongers are calculating badly ia taking Sir John Hall's recent aid to Ministers as an evidence that he is going to rejoin them. When »ir George Grey helped the Cabinet ont with the Peace Preservation Bill, early this session, rumours were cir culated, and obtained some credence, that the member for Auckland East was about to find a resting place on- the bosom of Major Atkinson. Reports of this kind I are always to be distrusted, and al-1 though Mr Bryce is an exceedingly un pleasant and unworkable colleague, we think it unlikely that he means to retire from the Ministry at this time. The state ment that Mr VVkifcakur desires to get rid of the Premiership is probable enough. Mr Whitakcr's strong diataato for a residence at Wellington is well known, and he has reached an age when some consideration for his tastes and comfort is reasonable. The head of the Cabinet must spend the greater part of his time at the seat of Government, and a change in the Premiership may therefore lie at hand ; but whether by a return to the arrangement once before existing, under which Major Atkinson took the office of Premier while Mr Whitaker retained pre cedence at the mimic Gubernatorial Court, or whether by tlio actual return of Sir John Hall to his old place, is mere. guess work. A reconciliation.with Mr Bryce may have prepared the way for the latter stej.. If so, the only vacant portfolio will be filled up, and the Ministerial ranks closed against further additions. There still remains the reported retirement of the Hon. Mr Johnston, for the purpose of visiting England. Of the likelihood of this we have neither evidence for nor against; but ahonld It come about, Mr Wright's chances are the best for succes sion. He is a practical engineer, and hat long aspired ,to. the Works portfolio. The work of .Cabinet-making-en paper can just as well be done in Auckland a* in Wellington, with the aid of a roll of the Legislature and a piece of pencil, and with about an eqnal chance of guessing cor rectly. The snbject, however, is not with out a practical interest for us. What we really want to see and know is this—when is Auckland to get the promised second member, and the portfolio of Public Works ? Otsgo, Canterbury, and Welling.

ton have successively controlled the loan ex penditure; when is Auckland to have a turn 1

The Brogden Claims.

The decision of the committee appointed to consider and report upon the dispute between Meesrs Brogden and Son and the Government of New Zealand is to the effect that the Government should with hold its assent to the proposition that the matter be referred to arbitration under the provisions of the Government Contractors Arbitration Act of 1872. The committee has expressed no opinion as to the justice or j otherwise of tho claims lodged by the Meßsi s Brogdfcn, but has confined itself directly to the functions defined for it. With tbo grounds of the committee's decision little tault can be found, always remembering the circumscribed limits within which they had to work, although their labours entailed the consideration of about 100 pages of closely printed correspondence, &c. Tho grounds, briefly put, are that tho Messrs Urogden havo placed themselves outside the Act by fulling to take stops towards arbitration within tho prescribed time. That much seems perfectly clear, as also that the provisions of the Act in question (which was specially passed to meet tho wishes of the Messrs Brogden) were well known to the claimants. No one can doubt tho justice of such an arrangement as the Act provided for limiting the tuna within which a reference to arbitration could be made, for the very esaenco of all arbitra tion proceedings ought to be—an amicable, prompt, and cquitablo decision ; and these objects would havo been defeated by allow ing the matter in dispute to hang over for a period of year?. But what is not quite so clear to us is the fairness aud consistency of the action of the Government in this matter. In 1577, after the lapse of the time prescribed by tho Act for reforeuco to arbitration, tbe Government withdrew their objection as to prescription, and gavo tho Messrs Brogden liberty to proceed to arbitration, which olfer, tbe committee says, was not taken advantage of. This is just tho point at issue, as the Meesrs Brogden claim that tney have ever since been negotiating on this oft"ar of tho Govern ment—the correspondence on tbe subject beiuu continuous, aud without a break. It would almost seem as-if the Government had by this action placed themselves also outside the provisions of tho Act of 1872, in so far an they could not low consistently urge iis provisions in bar of tbo Messrs Brogden'B claim. It was undoubtedly an act of jjrace on tho part of tho Government to malco the offer which they did in 1877 ; and even though they may bo within their right iv withdrawing it. it would have been more graceful and consistent if they had ad hered to it. The maguitudo of tho sum iv disput*—£2s6,ooo—and tho fact that tho claimants have strained every ucva to get it in full, may bo urged in justification of the course adopted by tho Government. If Msasrs Brogden had promply closed ;with tho offered reference to arbitration, it would have manifested a spirit of corapro miso and desirn for amicable settlement; but as they only fell back on arbitration when every other means had failed, they have no right to grumble at bein^ paid buck in their own coin. The committee does not asset t that the claimants are not iv equity entitled to some portion of the money claimed by them ; it merely decides that the; have lost all legal claim to pay ment of it, and must sue for it as a favour, instead of demanding it as a right. Wo are sure that the Government will bo ready to i take a fair and reasonable view of tho matter, if tbe Messrs iirogden put them selves in a proper attitude towards them. No one would wish tho Stato, because it has the power to perpetrate an i injustice under the cover of legality, how ever much such an action miyht bo de fended on the part of an individual ; and we hope soon to hear that the Brogden j dispute has been settled satisfactorily to all concerned. |

It may bo as well to warn tho public that there are light sovereigns about. One was tendered at Messrs Milne and Choyce's establishment to-d.iy,but was detected, and of course refused.

• The Japanese corvette Tnukuba leit for Japan direct at ten o'clock this tunning. During the yessel's stay here, Captain Kaanma and hu officers became general favourites, and they take away with them the best wishes of all with whom they were acquainted.

Mr W. G. Connolly, tho well known builder, was yesterday presented, by Mr H. P. Barber, with a valuablo gold keyless watch, in appreciation of the skilful and efficient manner in which he had carried out a contract tor tbo erection of that gen tleman's house at Parncll.

Anothrr of the scries of excellent con certs in connection with the Ponsonby Rowinc Club is announced to be given in the district ball on the evening of Tuesday next. A capital programme which inn been prepared tor the occasion is published in another column. It includes songs by Messrs Austin, Gapes, Stewart, Tremain, Smith, Ferriday, Farquhar, Cook, and duets by Riley brothers, and the brothers Mettaui, The performance concludes with tbe farce "Darkey Photographer," which was represented on the last occasion, and which is repeated by request. No doubt there wlil be a large attendance at tbe concert, which is in aid of the funds of the club.

A meeting of the young women of Auck land, for Bible study and prayer, will bo conducted by Mrs Hampson, in the Lecture Hall of the V.M.C.A. A number of Auck land yoking Indies, bearing of the success of similar meetings in southern cities, have been desirous that Mrs Hampson should inaugurate such a meeting here. We aro sure the young women of Auckland will take up the work heartily. Tbe average weekly attendance in Chrjstchurch is 100, and no doubt such a meeting will greatly benefit our young women.

The Auckland Dramatic Society had a fall rehearsal ot " Our Boys," the piece to be produced at the Theatre on Friday next, The rehearsal was held yesterday afternoon, and as this was one of a row remaining opportunities to rehearse the piece, every performer waa on the " gui vive," a decidedly satisfactory rehearsal being the result.

Among the sights of the city, Kohler's Waxworks Exhibition holds a respectable position. The last addition to the gallery ef representative figures is that of King Tawhiao, giving a good idea of the appear ance of the Maori Tring. It was moulded from Pulman's life-like portrait oi the dusky monarch. The matinee this afternoon was numerously attended.. The exhibition will be open this evening until the hour of ten o'clock.

A correspondent asks if we think it probable to be able to cope with larrikinisra which delights ia destroying everything useful, by a " caution from the Bench," or fines varying from one to five shillings * We have nearly every street fountain and cup broken, fire alarm apparatus destroyed (as Boon as ready), trees stolen, tree frames destroyed — indeed, nothing is sacred j and, when a conviction IS obtained, either the defendants are dismissed with a caution, or they are fined a shill ing; the results are that the annoyance grows daily, and we have to ctnfcis tbat we are rearing up a power that is not easily subdued, and all due to maudlin sentimentality, or mistaken clemency, which simply encourages tha continuation of a state of affairs which is a disgraco to any decent community.

A musical and literary entertainment in connection with tho Young Men's Christian Association's winter course took place in the lecture hall of their building last night, and resulted very satisfactorily. The attend ance was good, and the various items on a varied programme were very creditably executed. The Rev, Tboruaa Spurgeon presided. Songs were rendered by Miss Peace, Miss Gee, and Miss Spry, Mr Peace, Mr Simms, and Mr Tait; vocal and piano forte duets by the Misses Hayles, an in strumental duet by Messrs Tait (violin) and Hooten (piano), and two glees by the Beresford-street Church choir—viz,, " Let the Hills Resound " (Brinley Richards) and "All Amonp tho Barley." Miss Peace's song, "The Lost Chord," was given with taste and feeling, while Mr fait sang ■"Come into the Garden, Maud" very happily, Miss Gee's song was also much appreciated, and tbe Misses Hayles were awarded a hearty round of applause for their vocal ,dnot. The readings and recitations were as follows:—Recitation, " Our Folks," Mr Johnson ; reading from " Tom Brown's ! School,days," Mr JJnight; reading, " The Voyage of Maildone," (Thompson), Mr Thomas Buddie; recitation, " The Israel ites' Passage of the Red Sea," (Heber), Key. Thomas Spurcebn. Mr Hooten (pianht) ably conducted the concert, assisted by Mr Tait (violinist.), and the Beresford-street choir acquitted themselves very successfully. Votes of thanks were passed with acclamation to Messrs ' Hooten and Tait, the choir, the singers, readers and reciter?,

The ordinary monthly meeting of the members of the Auckland Institute will be held on Monday eveninir next, when several papers will be read by members.

Mr A. AY. Bromlield, solicitor, of Tau ranga, is suffering from a broken rib, the result of an accident at Whakatanc several days ago.

I'he following candidates have been nomi nated for the seat on the Paracll Borough, Council rendered vacant by the retirement of Captain Clayton : -John McConnoll, by William Gutrd and George Kaynes ; John Fitts (jun.), by Li, J. Yates and James Leonard. The poll will be taken on tho 6th September.

The skeleton of a python has jnst been mounted at the Museum, and from its con spicuous position and large bulk very quickly attracts the notice and engages tlio attention of the casual visitor. It is 12J feot long, and looks a formidable repre sentative of tho reptilian race. The mount- Ing was done by Mr de Kompeneor, an osteologist, who ia at present ova visit to Auckland,

At the meeting of tho French Literary Society this evening, the President (Mr C. dc L'Enu) will read an amusing original tale entitled, "A Forced Marriage." It iB of local intei ost, inasmuch as the scenes of tho story are hid at Otalmhu and One hungo, and on this account thore will doubtless be a large attendance of members ami visitors to hear it rend.

Tho contract on the To Aroha and Eercatukahia track,temporarily abandoned through the accident to Messrs C. B.Turner and N.Kensington.is to be speedily pushed on again. Mr J, Brownie has undertaken the work.

The compliriJentary concert and ball to Mr I'\ Brabazou, tho popular ventriloquist, will be given on Wednesday evotiing.next, in the Lorne-atrcet Hall, particulars of which are advertised.

The Wellington correspondent of tho " Bay of Plenty Times," telegraphing on Friday last, Bays: " The monthly visits of the Union Company's red funnels to Tau ranga depend entirely upon your local merchants and storekeeper. The Union Company is willing to deliver cargo at 25s per ton at Tauranga from the South, and I understand that the freight to Auckland is 20s, to which must bo added tbe freight back from Auckland to Tauranga of 15s to 205."

Sutidsy services ara announced in the usual column. St. James's Presbyterian Church, 3 p.m., a sermon in Gaelic by the Key. Dr. McLood, M. Paul's, evoning, "Thtprophet Amos and tho plumb-line," by tho Key, C. M. Noleon, M.A. Evening sorvice in tho Choral Hull, by Pastor .Spur geon ; Abhot'a Opera llnu.se, Mr G. A. Brown, G. 30, "The Rich Man and Lasarus"; Arch Hill anniversary sermons, preachers, llev, J. Watkiu and Mr Muthor, Evening service at the Theatre.

Tbo third public meeting of tho Devon port Wesleyan Band of Hope aud Tem perance Society was held on Thnrsday evening last. Sickness caused the absence

of two of thu society's moat valuablo workers, viz , Miss Potter, harmsniumist,

and Mr Wild, leador ; yet, thanks to tbe careful training of tho officers, tho singing gnvo great tatisfaction. Tho Kov. G. Spenco (president) took tho chair, and a full and

interesting programme waa gono through. Tho various items were wull rendered, the large and attentive audience manifesting their appreciation in a hearty manner. Eighteen names were added to the pledge, bringing the membership up to 127. The monthly inspection of the Naval lirigado was hold last evening under tho supervision of Major Withers, Captain LoKoy was unable to bo present, and in his absence Lieutenant Chapman com manded. Lieutenaut Parker and Sub- Lieutenant Smith were also in attendance. The brigade was put through various exercises, and displayed considerable ctllci ency, tho result of regular attendance on tho part of tho men. At tho closo of the drill the brigade marched through Queen street, to the wharf, headed by their lively drum and fife band, to tho delight of the side-walkers. I'he new Oddfollows' Hall at Dcvonport is now completed. Tho building iB a suit able one, and the workmanship creditable, The hall v 40 feet ia longth and 28 feet in breadth. The opening ceremony took place last evening, when tho hall was dedicated by the distiict officer.*, Provincial Grand Master U.S. Syms, Uepnty Grand Master MoNab, Provincial C.S. H. J. Smith, Past Provincial Grand Masters Colo and T J. Holland. At tbe close of tho ceremony the Provincial Grand Maßter handed ovor the building to Noble Grand Wells, of tbe Devonport Lodge, and delivered an appro priate address. Subsequently a .supper and ball took placo, dancing tcing kept up un til an early hour this morning. The hall, we aro informed, will bo lot for Sunday lectures, entertainments, etc.

Messrs Basten Brothers, of Duiham. street, have just completed the "premier'1 omnibus for Mr Bainbridge, of Ponsonby, and, without a word of disparagement to other builders, we frankly admit that the "premier" 'bus docs great credit to tho builders, and must wiu the approbation of the Ponsonby people. The 'bus is built on the newest designs, ia artistically painted, well finished, and capable of comfortably seating twenty-four passengers, ten inside, ten outside, and four on the box. The roof is reached by easy steps. The carriage is well vcntilated,andcushioned,with back- padding and sufficiently lofty to admit ladirs with out fear of disordering their bonnets. Tho 'bus is wider than the ordinary Auckland 'buses, with rounded corners, brass sap porting standards and arm-rests, and will be ready for the road on Monday next.

Two very interesting and valuable con tributiona have just been made to the Museum. One is a collection of bones of extinct species of sanrians and fishes, forwarded by Professar Show, of Kaneai University, U.S. (brother of Mr W. P. Snow, now residing in Anekland), Bnd tho other is an assortment of scuds of Japanese plants, [and fruit and foliage trees, pre sented by .Lieutenant Tamari, of H.I.J.Ms, Tsukuba, on behalf of the Japanese De partment of Agriculture. The sauriai remains belong to tho cretaceous age, and comprise sets of vertebra, portions of the upper and lower jaws still retaining the teeth, shoulder bones, ribs, etc. Professor Snow has] also sent Captain Broun 400 or SGO species of United States colsoptera, in exchange for Now Zealand specimens re ceived Dy him, The present of seeds is made for experimental purposes, Lieutenant Tamari asking that experiments should be made with them in order to ascertain the effects of soil and climate upon their growth, ami the results will be duly communicated to the Department of Aftriaultare in Japan, At the fortnightly meeting of the City Schools Committee last evening there weie present: Messrs J. D. Schmidt (in the cbairj, McMaster and Thwaites. Mr Oscar Pent, of Newton Road, complained that hie nephew, Herbert Burns, had been kept in almost as late as five o'clock, and had been refused permission to leave the school whun ill. Mr Harrison replied that there was a i regulation in force that no child should be kept in later than 4.30 p.m. Consideration of the letter wan deferred jtill next meeting. The Board wrote stating that they proposed to remove Miss Dunning from .Nelson street to Wcllesley-streot, as the toach i«g stall" of tho former school wus in excess of j the scale. Doferrod. The Board notified committee that they bad authorised the removal of Miss A: L. Mor rin and Mr C. Bowden, papil teachers, Wellesley-street school, to JBercsford-street school, at which latter Mhs B. M. Cham bers had resigned. Miss Sarah Harriß, pupil-teacher, VVelltsley.»lreot school, to be transferred to High-street school; employ ment of Mr James Kobs authorised as probationer, Wcllesley-street school. A letter was read from Mr Wortbington in reference to irregular attendance on Friday afternoon, and the meeting then terminated.

A soiree- in connection with St. Luke's Sunday-Bchool was held last evening. The church was crowded to excess. At 6.30 an ample tea was provided. Tho following, ladies attended at the tables :—Misses Macrae, Dingwcll, Jfrobert, Stuart, Miller, Alderton, ttowe, and Monro. After tho recess the enteitainment commenced with a few remarks from tho chairman (Rev. Mr Monro) and a hymn from the child ren. _'iho following progiainme was then submitted :—Master Kyburn, recitation ; duet, Misses Atkin and Chapman; trio, Misdes Kilgour, Rhodes, and Mr Earle'; a dialogue by two children j a recitation by a gentleman (Mr To'dd) from the Jlorth Shore, " King Robert of Sicily j" song by Miss Khodes, " Tbe Last Bose of Summer;'1 duet, Misses Hardie; recitation (Master Geo, Miller), "The Death of WelBon;" recitation, Miss Olive; solo, Miss Eva Bright j song ("The Sexton"); Mr X, Bo we; pianoforte duet, Misses Law; recita tion (Master F. Bright), " A Grave' Beiide the Sea." One of the features of the evening was' the distribution of the Presbytery prizes; which were awarded to Miss A.' Law, Miss L. Law, Miss H. Pickmere, and Master R. Ttowe. A h#arty'vote of thanks was pasidd to Miss Dingwell for presiding at the harmonium, and to the performers: The'meeting closed by the benediction, ' • ■ [

Preparations are being made by Tawhiao for his approaching motting with Mr Bryce. There will be a laige gathering of principal chiefs.

A burlesque opera for the Choral Society is being composed by Herr Schmitt, the libretto being furnished by Mr Alfred Sharps.

Bowen-Btreet is closed for vehicle traffic ;ust now.

A combined practice of " Moses m Egypt," by the Auckland and Ponaonby societies,will be held next practice night — Tuesday, 29th instant.

Linen is so scarce at tbe Hoipital just now that the nurses are compelled to te*r up old shirts to supply the necessary band age c. All kinds of clean linen and cotton rags would be very acceptable.

Edward Maun, labourer, wai sent to the Lunatic Asylum on the testimony of tw° qualified medical gentlemen. The unfortu nate man was arrested by Constable Lamb. Mrs Williams, of Kemucra, had a larga tumour taken out of ber breast yenterday by Drs Cooper aud Goldsboro Whila she was under the influeace of chloroform, an attempt was made to reduce a disloca tion of the shoulder, which was occasioned two months ago'by a fall. The operation is believed to have been successful.

On Monday evening next, the Auckland Free Templars will hold their anniversary concert at Lome-street Hall, which U likely to prove successful. Messrs Cox, Pritchard, Brinsden, and a number of ladies have ex erted themselves to the utmost in favour of the gathering, and a select and very choice ball programme has been prepared. The announcement appears elsewhere.

Mrs Brown, the wife of Samuel Brown.of Victoria - street, died yesterday after a lingering illness, aB notified in our laßt issue. Mrs Brown and her husbaud were Sheffield people, and the deceased lady attended upon the venerable poet, Jamaa Montgomery, in his last illness, and was by his bed-Hide when he passed away. The funeral will take place tomorrow, and possibly one or other of the Baptist minis ters of tho city may speak of the character of Mrs Brown, who wan a consistent mem ber of tho Baptist Church.

Tho Burdett Howe Dramatic Troupe left Wellington yesterday evening for Auck land, and will open in Abbott's Opera House on Wednesday next in a now sensa tion piece, entitled "True to the Core." Mr Howe is the star ; he is a London actor of repute, and during tbe past fix months ho has played in Sydney and Melbourne with great success, while his tour of the southern cities of this colony has been of a most satisfactory character, pecuniary and otherwise. The principal ladio* are: Miss Lizzie Lawrence (Mrs Kcdn), Miss Jennie Nye (a burlesque actress, who is very popular in Auckland), and Mdlle. Lola de Glorian ; while the leading gentlemen are Barry Power (a low comedian, whoae abilities arc well known). J. H. Fisher, It. W. Kodc, and J. P. West (who is the stage manager), Mr J. S. Willis is'the scenic artist of tho troupo, and his name will be accepred as a guarantee of good work. Mr Howe brings with him a full repertoire of tbo latest London plays, so that abund ant promise ia offered of a good season, The blank walls and hoardings of tho city have been so lavishly billed with cartoons during tho past few days that the public must know tho names of nearly all the pieces that are to be mounted. Prominent amongst them will be a dramatisation of Jules Vorno's highly lomantic novel," Mi chael Strogoff."

The anniversary services in connection with the Aroh Hill Wcsleyaa Bnnday-aohool will take plaos to-morrow.

On Friday next two two-year-old colts by Mnaket will bo sold by anotion at the Hay market They aro oat of Bryonla and Oooult roapoo lively.

The annual conversazione of tbo Young Womou'a Imitituto will bo held In tho Well«Bley stroot Institution, on Wednesday evening noit. A.ddreßies, mnslo and tongs will form the chief Items of tho prognunmo, whloh will ba ot an Interesting character.

Mr r, Uorati 1b preparing for an enter talamo&t tor tho pnrposo of railing funds for tho temporary aaalutanco of Mrs Htoora, widow of tbo unforiunua man who waa drowned. I'ho entertainment will bo given on the lltb proximo, whan Mr Dnran hopes, by liberal pat rono«(i, to hand a aatlstaotory sum to the widow and her family.

On Monday evening next tbe members of tho Sir Honry Havolook Lodße will Rive anothor of their pleasing entertainments in the Alox«ndrastreetsohoolrooou Th»programme is a (all on'i. embracing a variety of boss?, rooi •utlonu and Tendings. Mr King, a vocalist r« oontiy from Kagl&nrt, will m»ku his first ai> poaranco In Auokland. Mrs Anderson will reolte thi" Palaoo or the Klntr," with ohrrus In tho dldUnoa: Mr John Kdwo d» will eiofr. two songs,.nd tha Frith family will sing several Rlooa. The ohalr will bo occupied, by the Itev. W. S. Pottor.

Marry in haste, and repent at leisure, Wo havo met with several persons lately who aro ropcnt!ng that they bought sowing machlnos without BCtinfr or trying thorn. You don't want a machine every day, and when you do, oall on I). S. Chambers, 70, Queen-street, and try before you buy.

SHIPPING CASUALTIES.

The Beautiful Star,

A Wellington telegram states that tho steamer Beautiful Star, which went ashore at the North Spit, Westporl, on Thursday' morning, was safely got off yesterday. The Ketch Falcon. A report is current at the Bluff that the ketch Falcon has again gone ashore at the Kaiapoi liar. The Falcon is a kotch of 37 tons register, built at Hobart in 1865, and as far as we can learn, is owned by Mr P. G. Leslie, of Wellington. She was wrecked at \ Timaru in September, 1878, subsequently re-covcrcd and re-metalled in January, 1879. The P.s. Kennedy Ashore. HOKITIKA, Friday. Tho steamer Kennedy, when coming into tho river this morning, came into colli-ion with the end of the northern pro tection works, eighteen feet of which have been completely destroyed. Subsequently ! she grounded on the South Spit, where she lay till high tide, at 6.30 this evening, when *he was got off. She bas_ not suffered much damage. An enquiry will be held by the Collector of Customs to-morrow, when she leaves for northern ports at 4 p.m.

VESSELS DELAYED AT RUSSELL.

Protest from Masters of Vessels.

We have received tho following telegram to-day from masters of vessels now lying at Russell: "I he schooners Mariner, I ale; graph, Kate McGregor and Ruby have been waiting for coals for a fortnight, and are likely to wait another fortnight. Arrivod; Griffon, Spa Breeze, Onwatd andlSpitfire. They will have io wait three weeks or more, the company not being able t.o fulfil orders in reasonable tiuiu. What redress is there for Bailing ships! All the vessels are ljikely to ballast and leave here in disgust.

R. Queen, schooner Mariner; W. Thos, Mikoham, schooner Telegraph. And six other sufferers, X, Qtjibn."

THE CIRCUS.

Messrs Woodyear & Ross's circus con tinues to attract hundreds of spectators overy evening, to the satisfaction of every body concerned in the enterprise. Dick Turpin's famous lido from London to York possesses a historic charm. This feat of the daring highwayman, and the death of Bonnie Black Bess, will enlist the sympa thies of the masseß,as they have done in the past. Altogether, with its numerous at tractions, the lively interest in the circus is not yet on tbe wane, The matinee this afternoon was fully attended, especially by yonug people. To-night will be the final ride of 1 urpin, and en Monday evening a new programme will be issned.

POLICE COURT. -This day.

(Before J. E. Maodonald.Esa., R.M.)

Convalescent.—Edward Mann, who was oooßldored a lunatic has recovered, and con fessed that his lunnoy was the result of eon tinnous drinking. As he had Buffered oouider ably and been confined some time, he was dlnnharged With a caution, Tom, the Bpbhman.- Thomas Barry was called In answer to a charge of having no visible lawful means o( a Uvohood, but did not appear.-Mr Pardy Informed tho Conrt that Barry, aoaordlng to promise, had none baok to HelonsvlUo. Hidb and Bbbk.-Fanny Whlteelde, who had applied (or a proteotlon order under tbe act did not appear In BUDport of the application.— Harry Wblteslde appeared to oppoja,and stated that his wife bad led htm a pretty dance, and he did not know where to find her. He was Informed that ghe was at Whasgarel, and he had been down in quest of her and tha ohlidren; he then learned that she was In Auokland ; he objected to waltzing over the country. He wished te have the custody of at least one. of his ohtldren.—His Worship eaid he would re mand the ease until Tuesday, and if Mrs whiteslde did not tnrn np by that Urns, the case would be dlßmlised, This was all the business.

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM OUB SPECIAL COKRESPONDENT.)

WELLINGTON, this day. ; Special Taxation Committee. ■ The Special Taxation Committee i» not likely to come to a conclusion. Its com position is peculiar. Auckland and Wel lington are not represented. Utago has Mr Macandrew, Canterbury Mr Brown, Sir J. Hall, and Mr Montgomery; Hawke's Bay, Mr Sutton; the West Coast, Mr Seddon; Marlborough, Mr Conolly ; Nel son, Messrs Hursthousoand SUephard; Tara-' nuki, Major Atkinson. Among the 10 turn bers, ova fur Otaxo repreaeuts tlie property tax paid by that province, £80,000. Canter bury, three members, pays £72,000. The remaining say they pay only £31,000, while Auckland is nearly £32,000 and Wellington £37,000. Consequently Canterbury and Otago are not likely to agree to an increaso of property tax which others are believed to favour. The Government are said to be ouly denirous to put oil" the report and con sider the matter in the recess. LOAN EXPENDITURE. The following return was laid on the table yesterday, showing the amount of population, aud monies spent out of loan since the commencement of the Public Works policy :— POPULATION. Auckland 101,095 Tamnakl 15,277 Hawke'aßay 17,721 Wellington 62,714 Nelson .- .. 20,471 Murl borough 9,50» Canterbury 111,825 Wcstland' 15,650 Otago 130,932 EXPENDITURE. S. Auokland 2,804,611 Taranakl 060,000 Huwko'ußuy HI'J.OKi Wellington 2,096.150 Nelson 935,273 M&rlborough 302,978 Canterbury 3,132,607 Wuatluud .. ~ .. .. 858,811 Otago 1,892 019 General 1,897,271 Departing Members. Messrs. Allwrigut and O'Callaghan went away yerterday, and_ do not intend return ing. Captain Morris expects to get away en Thursday, and Mr YYeston about the same time. Mr Montgomery will strive again to have the Baietnnly before the finan cial year expires by opposing the usual clause in the Ke venues Act, or curtailing the lime for advances to one month. Removal of the Assembly. When the question of repairs to Parlia mentary buildings comes on, Mr Shrimski will try again for the removal of the next mooting of the Assembly, and I am told about 35 members have pledged their support, on the ground that tbo expense of repairing the present buildings would pay the interest on money employed to erect now buildings. Should this be done, an effort will be made to keep the twe Houses apart, as the Lords' lobby brings them into the Commons too much, and too many oi them are merely Government touts. This alao would help Mr Shrimski in his motion, for the new House seems very impatient of the touting of tome of the Upper House. Hie Larceny Act. Mr Tole is to draw the attention of the Minister of Jmtico to tho judicial decision ii the prosecution for embozzlement of a canvasser of the New Zealand Accident in surance Company nmnod Wren, at Auck land, by which judgment it was held that no such prosecution would lie against accused, because the monoy recoived by him was so received outside of tho particular district allotted to him for tuch canvassing opera tions ; and to ask the Minister if bo will take steps to amend the Larceny Act so as to protect tho public from the recurrence ot such an imposition, and bring like impos tors to justice. The Mouse Sent for Business. Heal business ia now the order of the day. Wi th 86 Bills staring members in the face, It is enough to mako hon. gentlemen bind their girdle around them and do some, thing in earnest, Mr Finn lust evening wanted rather too much work, and sng geatoiithat they sit all to-morrow. Major Atkinson observed that it would bo well on to breakfast time to-morrow be foro the House rose, as the Govern ment were determined to put through tho Land Act, and as there was considerable opposition, the Mobs prognostication had overy prospect of being too true. Parlia ment has now commenced its fifteenth week, aad many are the surmises us to which m-'osures are to be dropped. O* Monday we shall know all about; it, as the Government are going to make a statement. Rumoured Cabinet changes. From what I ca? hear, owing to certain dissensions in the Cabinet, there is to be another change among the gentlemen occupying the Government benches aftor the prorogation. My belief for saying so is principally the answer given yesterday to Mr Holmes, who was anxious to learn whether the Go vernment intended ta withdraw the caveat issued ngaimt Mr Sutton in connection with the famous Omarauui block. Mr Bryce declined to answer, and, of course, Mr Holmes desired farther information, but was told he would hava to in terroga'o the head of the Government, which had the management of such matters. It is well known that the vote of Mr Suttsn during the want-of-confidence motion was somewhat doubtful, and did not at all please tho Government. A private interview, I hear, took place between Major Atkinson and Mr Sutton, but with what result ? Was it not known ? Again, Mr Bryce and the Premier have been working against one another since the session began. One rumour says it has now been arranged, I believe, that Messrs Whitaker, Bryce, and Johnston, will retire at tho end of the session, and that the late Premier, Sir John Hall, will be called to form a new Ministry, with Mr Wright as Minister for Public Works. It is currently reported that Mr Johnston, the present Minister, intends going Home immediately , after Parliament rises. Latest Rumours ro Ministerial Changes. ' There will be a material change in the Ministry, I hear, very shortly. Johnston intends paying a visit to the old country directly after the session, and Mr Wright, who has been so often spoken ot as likely to be Minister of Public Works, will at last be associated with the gentlemen on the Ministerial Benches. Sir John Ilall is understood to rejoin, and Mr Bryce is re puted to resign, but who will fill the port folio is not yet spoken ot ' Petitions. Petitions were presented yesterday :— By Mr Whitaker, from Henry L. Kingsley, pensioner, Sergeant-Major, Royal Horse Artillery (Hamilton West), for a grant of land. By Major Te Wheoro, from Apu unina l'ani and' 25 others, of Ohinemuri, for continuance of receipt of rates.'1 The Petitions Committee report on the petition of John Joseph O'Brien, of Auck land, who was obliged to'pay £150 to the Maori owners of the Thames, for removing earth' and' stone'from tho hills, for a Government reclamation contract, that they cannot recommend any co'mpeusation, but suggest'the remission at penalties, if the Government is satisfied with the execu tion of the work. 'Xhe Brogden Claims. The repott of the joiut committee on tho Brogden claims was read in the Council yescerday. The committee report that the contracts affected by this inquiry were nine in number, and that the first fix of them, amounting to £560,446, were signed on the 10th «f August, six days before the Go vernment Contractors' Arbitration Act was introduced into Parliament; that three other contracts, amounting to £240,750, were signed on the 19th of June, 1873, eight months after the Government (Jon tractors' Arbitration Act became law; that the contracts were given to Messrs Brogden and Sons without competition, and on terms exceptionally favourable to the contractors (allowances, amountiDg to 32J per centum, over and above contractors' prices then current in the colony, having been made to them); that before entitling the specific engagements with the Colonial Government, in the year 1872, the Meesrs Brogden insisted npon hiving provision made for the appointment of a special arbi trator, to whom disputes arising out of their projected contracts might be referred; that the usual custom which makes' tha engineer the final arbitra tor in disputes arising out of contract Works wai in the case of Messrs, Brogden, and at their instance', departed from; that it was agreed that a Judge of the Supreme Court, having jurisdiction in the supreme district in which a dispute might arise, should ba made arbitrator, and it became, therefore, necessary to pass an Act in order to impose these duties on the Judge?, and to give them the requisite powers to obtain evidence; that the Government Contractors' Arbitration Act, 1872, was accordingly pa«»ed with the knowledge of Mr James Brogdep, the partner representing the firm.

1 The report goes on to show that no disputes arose during the time when progress pay.' merits were made, and when disputes arose in the settlement the Government offered to allow them to go to arbitration, us originally arranged, but Messrs Brogden refused to avail themselves of the opportunities thus afforded to them, and did not, until a recent period, attempt to bring their dis puted claim to arbitration in the manner originally agreed upon. Several years were thus allowed to elapse, nnd essential evidence is now no longer available. The committee, therefore, cannot recommend that the consent of tha Government should, now be given to a reference of the Brdgden claims under the provision! of the Govern ment Contractor*' Arbitration Act, 1872. Auckland University College. On the motion of Mr Dick, the House of Representatives this afternoon agreed to the amendments made by the Legislative Council to the Auckland University College Bill. The Bill, therefore, has passed finally. taxation of Lawyers' Bills, In reply to Mr SuTro.*, the COLONIAL Secretary said that the hon. member had referred to the report of the Election Peti tions Committee, and to the charges which bad been made in connection with a certain election. So far as regards tha taxing of election bills, the com mittee recommended [the government to look into the matter during the recess, and this would be done. Ke the general taxing system the Supreme Court Bill, which had just passed the House, contained a scale of charges, and therefore he would be to a certain extent remedied. It pro vided tuat tbc Judges should to some extent overlook these charge.", and see that they were properly made. If, after a short U me, it was found that this did not meet | £U case, [further action would be taken. The Supreme Court Bill, which passed the House, altered the position of these Bills very much. It altered the power of making large costs. The Government was fully alive to the propriety of looking fully into the matter. The. present arrangement was not satisfactory, and must be altered, Bills Advanced. la the Legislative Council the Employer*' Liability BUI and the Protection of Tele grams Bill were passed through committee with verbal amendments. Mr Button's Land Dealings. Replying to Mr H#imbs, Major Atkiu- SON laid the caveat low standing iv the Land Kegistry Office, Napier, against the transfer of the Omaranui block would, if the parties interested took no further action, be shortly iemoved, Mr Suttom moved the adjournment of the House to enable him to make a personal explanation. He produced the official documents ia a Supreme Court action, in which he was implicated in connection with the acquisition of land, which tally ac quitted him of using undue means in ob taining the signature of the natives to the deed of transfer. The motion for a conference was put and carried. Mr SEDDON said It would be inUresting to know when the Government deter mined to withdraw the caveat. Was it not correlative with the late no-confidence debate, and was it not determined on in view of Mr Sutton's vote on tbat motion ? Colonel Trimble said that the whole transaction had been e«r«fully inquired into by the Native Affairs Committee, and he, a» chairman of tbat committee, had no hesitation iv saying that Mr Sutton's con duct had been blameless, and their finding fully acquitted' him of the grave insinua tions made against him in conjunction with the tiansaction. JUaturalisation of Chinese. Mr Dick moved that the Council's amendment on the Aliens Act Amendment Bill, enabling the Chinese to become naturalised at t» reduced rate, should not be agreed to. The Chinese, unlike other nationalities, did not come hcieto settle. They came here under offers, and having worked for a few years, they returned to their owu land. He moved for a com mittee to confer with the Council on the subject. Air. SEDDOK and Mr SMITH spoke in favour of the amendment being accepted. The latter pointed out that an Act impos ing a tax per head on Chinese had already been passed. Ihe Native B,eserves Bill. The Native Kcservea Bill was reported a third time and passed, 2he jjand Bill. On the motion for going into committee on the JLand Bill, several members spoke against the measure. The motion for going into committee was put, and carried on the voices. On Clause 2, Mr Fdlton moved, " That the leasing proposal be limited to land in proclaimed goldfields." Sir John Hall objected to the leasing system. It was a system opposed to all the purposes for which men came to these colonies, and it would therefore prove most mischievous, It would discourage im migration, and, if adopted, he was sure the tenure would be altered. The leaseholders would become snch a power in the State, that they would very soon find the means of acquiring the freehold. sir George Grey upheld the system, and denied that it would introduce an un desirable feature into their political life. It enabled them to open the land oh the easiest terms, and, at the same time, cave them a tenure equivalent to a freehold, without ttic power ef enabling them to sublet. So far from driving immigration away, it would be a means of attracting immigrant) to this colony. It would not be a rental paid to landlords,but payable to the State, in induction of the taxation to which they were at present expused. He therefore hoped the committee would not reduce the proposals to the goldfields. Mr Fdlton said it would create a class of people who would be constantly agitatiDg to be relieved from the obligation into which they had entered. The absolute fee simple was what all men aimed at, and if it could not be had in Yew Zealand they would go elsewhere and get it. Mr Moss proposed that certain words in the clause be struck out, so as to eliminate the leasing system altogether. Mr MAc and bew said that so long as they .had the power to tax the land, that was sufficient. He was opposed to the lease hold system altogether. The probabilities were that they who were discussing this point had secured their freehold, and it would be most unfair to debar others from the same privilege. ' Mr W. M. Gkeen spoke in favour of the area for leasing being left in the hands of the Administration of the day. Sir George Grey said that the tendency of the age was to abolish freeholds'alto gether, and he looked forward to the day when such a thing as landlordism would. cease to cxi«t.' It was not'contended that freeholds were more' advantageous than the leaseholds on the terms proposed.' There wo.s to be no increase of rent and no per mission to srib-leaae. ' With condi tions like these he could ' imagine of no freehold being more advan tageous. What, he asked, was to prevent the scenes and hards-hips of the old country if members, should, by their votes, refuse to affirm the leasehold principle ? He moved that the entire area' be brought under the operation of the leasehold system, and not the limitation proposed by the Bill. 1 Mr SWANSON argued that, in adopting the Bill asVprinted, they would at lca-t be affirming the pijaciple, and, having done so, they could come back next session and get more. Mr Tue-'BULL pointed out, as one effect of the leasehold proposal, that they would not get sufficient to pay for the survey of the land for a period of eight years. It would also have tho effect of preventing them in all time from imposing any addi tional tax on the land. Sir J. Hall raid that Mr Moss's proposal would raise the issue as to whether or net they were in favour of the leasehold system, and he hoped it would be pressed to a division. Mr Moss's amendment was then put. The committee divided. Ayes, 16: noes. ii. Several other amendments followed. Mr M. J. Green, in Clause 3, moved to omit the words " put up to public competi tion," with a view of inserting the words " open for application." A lon« discussion took place, and ultimately the original words were retained by 25 to 24 The clause then passed. Clauses 21 and 22 were strnck out; the remaining clauses were passed without material alteration beyond the amendments suggested by the Waste Lands Committee. The Bill was reported as amended, and ordered to be read a third time on Monday. The Resumption of Land for Mining Purposes .Bill, and Reserves in Mining Districts Bill, were read a third time and passed. - ■ . . The House rose at 4.30.

UR LONDON LETTER.

""""S?l^,! I

market. ■"*'«'- LONDON, in July, i 8 hot i oppress.. Most people ar e£} *thet away for a few days, and it was If' with keen pleasure that I accep ted o' 6 tation to Newmarket, f or Z , ttUW- July meeting, and f ouu d myself PJJ* morning of the 4th in*, once ' m _ #° n «"> i ing across the "chWic ZT^T what a place Newmarket fa „, ** different to tho ordinary racecon,«d hoy its turmoil, and hubbubslS^* Epsom Summer is a reunion 1 Otin& attend nolens volons, becauso of «,„ r.mtlllt Ascot is the perfection of K|£ ?"by. and Goodwood and DonettK?°»R worth at least one visit, but f oth enjoyment give me Newmarket 'ssl5 s1 need to crush on to a stand c ° through the crowd there. The rae« seen A.l. from anywhere TJia i an')B Newmarket heath v its broaS g. ?o{ courses. Most people have read' uffi famous Rowley mile, along which tu<** Thousand Guineas is anDnaßS,^? but without seeing it I defy Z *&**. how immeasurably Buporiorthi.fi 89 I stretch of heath ia to the ordin.™, fina arena. The « Banbury nnV^So^?" T.Y.C." courses are the 0 2L ,3? utilised for the July meeting, an d tW about two miles from town, behind what» known as the " ditcb." The Zu , .1' f fringed with a beautiful plantaS "f" f half-a-milc in length, and ben "h a,^'* ? one can see the finest thorough'in England being walked backwaSS, and ft" " ' wards for inspection. The p,C. Z 5 Walea usually attends the July V, ing, and waa present erory day this t;^ trotting about in a tweed suitYf ditt unmolested and comparatively im,.!'' I H.It.H. (who happened to KC/S fat) Grace, the Uuchess of MontroaelstnL next to the writer during the rS tt Kxeter Stakes on the sefond C%Z\& lutely condescended to nsk if I conM «« what was leading. Of coune I h boaited about the circumstance ever sine? but my private impresiion is that the Princn mistook me for a gentleman who had been at his elbow a minute or two previously However, if such were indeed the case" H.K.H. was too well-bred to show it and pleasantly observed as the horses passed tho post tbat he now thought Britomatti. (the favourite) w«uld get beaten, an d h» hoped I had <» got the tip. and I backed Highland Chief (the winner 1 '■ The racing at Newmarket in July i s n j t specially remarkable. The principal events are the July and the Chesterfield Stakee richly-dowerod "sprints" for first-clasß ' two-year-olds, In the former (worth no. [ wards of £2,000) many now historical cele brities—such as Hannah, Cumballo, and BalVal—achieved their first success.'This 1 year, however, the race has hardly excited ' us much interest as usual. At Stockbridee i the Aicot New Stakes winner, Adriana (who up to that time represented the best two- i year-old form of the year) went down before Mr W. S. Crawford's Macheath (a magnifi cent bay colt by Macaroni, out of Heather Bell), and this youngster having to meet no notable "darkies," it was natural that the July Stakes should be considered a foregone conclusion for him. Eight youngsters came to the post, Macheattfs most formidable opponents seeming to be Fulmen and Tyudrum, bith of whom had distinguished themselves at Ascot. Betting opened by backers laying 9 to 4 on Macheath, bat bo warmly were several of the outsiders sup ported that eventually fielders accepted as little as 13 to 8. The odds were never ia doubt, for though Fulmen challenged reso lutely as the field approached the finish, ke never really troubled the favourite, who, drawing out, won as he liked by a length. Time, lmin. 15secs.; value of the slakes, £2,030. After this the Chesterfield Stake?, on the Thursday, was naturally thought to I be a mere walk-over for Macbeatn, but his owner apparently opined differently, for he declined to start him, and a dark colt of Lord Falmouth's, named Galliard (by Ualopin—Mavis) became favourite. f'n this certainty, ton, | backers laid odda, and again they came oft', Archer almost walking in before a colt of the Duke of Hamilton's named Oxford, and ' Prince Soltykoffs Padlock. Galliard ia the most bloodlike and beautiful two-year- '?: old I have ever seen, and should make a great name on the turf. The " special com missioner" of the "Sportsman" declares him thus, and his remarks are worth print- ' ing, because runners of the Chesterfield in- . ~' variably distinguish themselves subse quently. A'chievcmenr, Formosa, King- a craft, Crcmome, Bend Or, and Iroquois, all | won tbia particular race. Galliard is a whole - brown, without white, and shows a black patch or birth-mark on his near quarters, standing quite 15 hands 3in, with a = grand bead and neck, and writ- : formed shoulders. Be is really a splendid horse in front of the saddle; his back, loins, rnmp, quarters, thighs, - and gaskins show an immense deal of ' power, and his large, well-formed hocks are as clean as if carved from ebony or heart of ' oak. His arms are long, strong, and . muscular, his knees well-formed, and his fore-legs are big and perfectly shaped, while he stands as true as a die and firm as a rock all round, on the very best of feet,

Luscombe Searelle Redivivus.

THE WHECK OF " THE WRECK1.1 EXPLAINED. The question, " What has become of,that talented but luckless little mtmc*,Lnscombe Searelle?" has at length been solved. On the first night of " The Wreck of the Pina fore " ia London Luscombe, in a moment of gush, boasted that he was not an American. To America, however, Luscombe fled to bury his woes, and in the columns of the notoriously independent (?) "Dramatic News" he now explains that the failure of his masterpiece was entirely due to tbe wickedness of the London critics. "It; seems," says "Almavira" (Mr' Clement, Scott), ot the London " Figaro," renewing this ptecious production, " that pcor Wt Searelle was gratified by the facttttathe was " called three times/ and, in the inU6 etnee "of his heart, went to bed' oa Saturday night honestly bVlievirig the'piece to be a success."

Mr Searelle probably overlooked the attenuated stalls, from which about an hoar after the rising of the curtain there.was so , steady an exodus. It is true that Mr Searelle forgets the scene which so shocked the house when a man in the drets circle, who cheerily called Upon the Fiftt Lord for "a hornpipe," wai violently throwr* against the unopened doors' and brutally ejected. It is true tbat tb the gentleniau \vbo followed the poor man to the street, where the police refuted to take the offen der into custody, the iattendants explained that the man had been "passed iv," although his conscience had apparently rebelled againtt his applauding such stuff. But no ; it w*s all theiault of those wicked daily paper critics. Says Mr Searelle :— Now for the reason. In the stage box on the opening night were Mr Gilbert, Mr DOyly Cane, and Mr Clement Scott, the critic of the "Daily Telegraph." lam in receipt of proofs that alter the opera was concluded the repreaentatives of the "free nnd enlightened press" met together and arranged a plan of action, which plan they carried put. ' . " ■ ' . • Will Mr Searelle produpe thpaeproofs? Will he give the place of meeting and the na.mea of those who attended itt I' would be interesting reading. For myself, though I plead guilty to writing my notice of the work for one of the leadiug daily papers, I must humbly claim that I heard of no meeting, but went home to thank a bountiful Providence that, hard ss the life of a critic might be, he would never be likely to be called upon to listen to any thing lesbler thau the operetta which Was not inaptly named the "Wreck" of the " Pinafore."

The Australian Colonies and Protection.

Lord Dkbbv Speaks His JJikd.

At the annual dinner ot the Cobdcn Clab on. July Ist, a large number of distinguished A nglo-Colonials were present, and the raison d'etre of the club's existence Being tho promotion of Free Trade principles, it aaturally followed that some remarks should be madl? relative to the penchant of certain British dependencies for Protection. The Earl of Derby was chairman, and in the course of a very interettine speech, said :->•' 'The ideas which prevail iv our most mi" portant colonies were not what English Free Traders would wish to see there. The con troversy which practically hag closed at home, there remains still open. Pro tection is accepted and believed in as a system by a - large part of the colonial communities. 1 I don't think they will be converted by reasoning, but the 'cat of experience is a sure one. And, luckily, experience will not be wanting. As if on purpose that the experiment should be fairly tried, the two mo\t important Australian colonies hW9

'JSQ STAR SATURDAY. AUGUST 26



Special Advertisements. W. J. H URBT & C°" i HAVK ON BALB PEIME WHITE TUSCAN SEED WHEAT TARTARIAN SKIED OATS ■ BELL'S Jin. BONBDUST BKU/S BONKFLOUK NEWCASTLE BONEFLOUR ' VICTORIAN BONKDUST AUCKLAND BONBDUST PERUVIAN AND OTHER GUANOS SUPBR PHOSPHATE HURST'S MIXTUKK, &0,, &a, &O. Also, PKIMB TABLE POTATOES And. OATEN CHAFF (Superior Sample) MAIZE, OATS, BRAN BARLKY. FOWL WHEAT WOOD'S FLOUR, SHARPS BARLKYMKAU OATMEAL < &c, sec, sa WB HAYS ALSO IN STOCK AND TO ARRIVE, AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY i OF ICVKMY DESCRIPTION, STEAM ENGINES THRASHING! MACHINES, DRILLS. &a, &a, &a. W» J« Hußsy & Co., 101, QUBEN-STRBBT. Auckland. WOUVB Aromatic Bobihdam BoiiwApps.of nduoe the destruction and prevent the Ira proper cuse of their wrappers and labels, and bus further protect the Public against fraud and deception, have enclosed In the wrappers, or under the label on the quart bottles, alnoe Ist October, 1878, and continue to enolose in kvkbx- DAY'S PiOItINQ TUnoCOnODT TUB YKAB THREE til ORDERS, whloh •re drawn npon the uderalgned, and ; whloh will be cashed by them on presentation. To secure these Gifts, the Pnbllo must be careful to ask for, and accept nothing but, the Genuine Udolpho Wourars Schnapps, with our name npon the top label, M. MOBS « Co. ycynyard Lane. Bydnev.



Special Advertisements j ' nHE VICTORIA INSURANCE COM- . I PANY (LIMITED). CAPITAL-..-.._....-. - »1,000,000. Agents for a uoklancl Ulstrlot: JOHN KKID JKOO., 20. QOKKS-StREKT. Losses by if ire, Sea, or Dishonesty maue good. For Ten Days qNly Wo shall make a Special Show of trousseaux, layettes, baby linen, ladies' and child's under. CLOTHING OS EVERY DESCRIPTION. Aa our Stools o£ abovo is well-known to be the Largest and most Complete in tho North Island, wa intend to make a GRAND DISPLAY for _ TK N Days, { Commonoing MONDAY, August 21, daring whloh tlmo a Redaotlon of FIVK PER GENT, will be allowed to all Purchasers of these Goods, Tho usual Reduotlon of Flvo per Cent, a'so , allowed to Cash Buyers, Milne and Oho yob. i quken & wellesley streets, ' . AUOEIiAMr. • rpHORNTON, SMITH AND FIRTH , HAVE FOR SALE I '• t Crown Flour, In aaoka, 100*8 ftndCWs "Champion" „ „ >• •> I " Cantab' ~ •< Sharps Bran Fowl Wheat II WBAiur Mill, Anoklanfl



New Zealand For C othing Faotory New Zealand quamty Clothing Faotory New Zealand »v**'™*' cloth ng Faotory New Zealand For Clothing Faotory New Zealand Stxm, °i oth!nB S" 0* 01* New Zealand Clothing Factory NnW Zealand For Clothing Faotory Now Zealand Variet*. Clothing Faotory New Zealand _ Clothing Kaotory New Zealand FOT Clothing Faotory New Zealand Value, Clothing Faotory OUR MANUFACTURES OAN-tJOT BE KXOKLLKDI THB YEARLY INCREASING DEMAND IB THE MO3T SATISFACTORY PROOF or PUBLIC APPRECIATION I TWO PR IZ. E MED AL 8 AND CERTIFICATE OF MERIT awarded at OHBISTOHUBOH EXHIBITION! TRY OUR CLOTHING MADE OF THB! CELEBRATED MOSGIEL TWKBD You Will On Nonb Bkttbh I Auckland Branch t New Zealand Queen-btrhet, Clothing Faotory New Zealand opposite Clothing Faotory New Zealand „.. "ill"™™ Clothing Faotory Now Zealand Theatre Royal: clothing Faotory New Zealand ' and at Clothing Faotory New Zealand Albert-street. Clothing Faotory New Zealand Tnames. Clothing Faotory New Zealand Clothing Faotory New Zealand J. Fitmimons, Clothing Kaotory New Zealand Branch Clothing Faotory New Zealand Manager. Clothing Faotory The ITike Insurance ASSOCIATION (Limited). Head Office t CORNHILL. LONDON, K.O. Capital fully Subflorlbod, «._-—£1,000,000 Paid np._«.«-_____-..—___..£200,000 Reserve and other funds—_ _»_—...• —fi52,500 Gknbiul manabsb fob New Zealand : T. J. LADD, WELLINGTON. ACJBNT FOR AUCKLAND DISTRICT t C. F. E, KIBSIIRB SOHERFF'S BUILDINGS, FORT-STBBET. -TTT INKS AND Of ALL, Wholesale and Retail OABINKTMAKERS AND UPHOLSTERERS, AND CARPET WAREHOUSEMEN. SHORTLAND-STRKET, Auckland, IMPORTERS and M anrir aoturer sof all kln&3 o FURNITURE, IRON AND BRASS BKD4TBAD3 AND COTS, AND BEDDING. The Largest and Best delected Stock of BRUSSELS, TAPE3TRY, VELVET PILE, KIDDERMINSTER CARPETS, & HKAETH BUGS ' In the North Island. FRENCH & ENGLISH CRETONNES At Reduced Prices. English and American PERAMBULATORS & VELOCIPEDES, COU{ AND FLAX MATTINGS AND DOOR MATS. Just received, a Large Shipment ot fancy drawing-room ornaments, chimney gl4j3seß, and console tables, k% Discount on all Cash Pueohabeb XXT INKS "-A N D XT ALL. VFTILLIAM X> "ORIDGMAN Bees to Inform his Customers that he has a SPLENDID STOCK. OF CLOTHING, •IN GREAT VARIETY, AND NEWEST STOIiB, In all Qualities, from Common to Medium, and very good, in whioh are Inolnded S OME VERY CHEAP LINKS, Lately purchased at anotlon, &oi Boys' and Youths' Tweed Trousers, 5/9, 8/9, 7/0, <&o. Boys' Knloker and Military Suite. 8/6. 9/«, 10/0, Boys' Long Tweed Suits, 15/6. 10/0, 18/6, fto. Mon'a Tweed Trousers, 5/0, 6/6, 7/6. 8/9, Sec. Men's liooa Tweed Coats. 12/6,13/6,14/9, &c Men's Galatea and New Sao Costa, 16/9.18/6, 21/ Men'a Paget Coats In variety, 22/6,26/, 27/0 Boyß' Black Cloth Coats, 7/6,8/6,9/6 Men'a Tweod Trousers and Vests. 13/6, li/6,16/6 Man's and Boys' and Youina' White and Cold Mole Trousers, at a small advanoo |ln cost A Good Line ot Mon'a Overooata, 25/, 27/6 A Large Lot of Men's Flannel Shirts, 2/H, 3/6, 4/6 Men's Flannel Panta, 2/11,3/6,4/6 Merino Shirts, 1/11,2/6,2/9 Merino Pants, 2/6,2/9,8/ Men's Hard Felt Hata, 4/0,6/, 5/8 Good White Shirts, from 4/6; Oxford Shirts, 3/0, fto. Men's Alpine Hats. E/6.2/10,3/3 White Corduroy, 1/6 The Above Links abb Extra Good Value, k Per Cent Discount on all Cash Parohaaea of " 20s and Upwards. JUNCTION DRAPaRY ■^AREHOUSK, Upper Qukbn-strket. -RTORWICH UNION FIXE INSUR. XI ANCE BOCIBTr. Established 179 7, Amount Insured exceeds - - - - - -.£100,000,000 Losses paid -„.._„.,..__,_..£3,761,000 THIS SOCIETY, Well known for Its liberality In Its dealings, and (of promptitude In the settlement of claims, Is prepared to accept bisks on EVERY INBUKABLB DESCRIPTION OF v -~ , PROrKRTY, AT GREATLY REDUCED BATES. LOSSES PAID by Oheaae on Society's Bank ers jn Auckland, without reference elsewhere, immediately after production of PROOF 07 LOSS. WILLIAM T. J. BELL, Chic* agent. FroYlnolai:Dlatriota ot Auckland" and Taranakl N.8.-AH Monies received in New Zealand are invoßted In the Colon



Wo have opened another lot of our remarkably good valuos In Belfast Cain brio Handkerohlefa and Mnena. lnolndlng Children's Cotton Coloured Borrtorn. ljd each; Ladloa' Pure Linon Cambric. 2s 0d hall dozen packages: Best Quality.sa 3d per half dozon: Gents' Scotoh Cambric. JJd each; all Linen, full size. 8s 9d per cozen, and UiMi usual Auoklaud prlo» for tho Bamp. 18i and 20s por dozen; Table Napkins, from BJd to 2s eaoh; Table Cloths, from 2a upwards; 61-lnoh Table Linen, Is per yard; oiher qualities up w 4s lid r>er yard: &c, &0., Sec— Win. H. Smith's Cheap Drapery Warohouaes, 300 and SO2. Qaaen-atreet, oopoßito Army and Navy Hotel, and at our Nowmarket Branch Warenouao —I Advt.].



FBOM PRBUATtTBB D«OAY TO PBIBTINB Bfaoty. —Natural restoration by a sale gradual process, where the hair ia prematurely grey, ia certainly dcßirable, hence tho reason that Aickin's Tonio Hair Colour Restorative is largely purchased and highly appreciated. This preparation is not Bticky, is not a dye, is clean and pleasant in use. Prico, 3s 6d per bottle. Prepared at tho Pharmacy, Queen-street.