SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER] KSffiMSf, ".9 I HUIdSKT.-Thia Evoning, 7.11.... i SUNRISE.-To-morrow Morning, 4.42 J MOON'S AGE.-First Quarter, 18th, 4.18 a.m. /

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY. lona, s.s., Johnson, from Russell LAST EYBXINO. Winifred. BOhooncr, Meredith, from Fiji

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Glenofe, as., Stopbonson, for Tnuranga Mariner, sohooner. Queen, for Russell Ocean, sohoonor, Savago, for Ensseu

IMPORTS.

Per Winlftoa, from BIJI.-3767 mats (abont 80 tons) Bngar.

The Ashmoro will probably bo a full ship on Thursday next, ana Captain Whitmoro [expects to sail on Friday or Saturday next. The brlganttco Linda Weber, frpm Auoklat d via Merouty Bay, arrived at Tavlnnl dflji) on CbeSSibKOT. m ho a.B. Xona arrlvoa from finsaoU and North ern ports early thta morniDß, with m naoos gum, 75 oases gum. 16 bales wcol. 10 tonssund rles and tho foUowlnjr p»etongetß :-Ml9Eea MaxwoU (2). Garten and ftrldhousu, and lln Molßtoab. aad 3 children, Dr. McDonald, Messrs Chrlstlhnuer, Reed/ J.Farkw, Uhilatie. Falthfol, Soepherd, Merle, J. Tilford, Howard, Clarke, aua.ell (2), Johnßon, Captain Kvans. and 7 Btpsrage. Tho eohooner Winifred arrived from Taylunl ■ (FdUlast evening, anohoiifltt.off tbo Railway Wharf at 10 o'clock, ano left Auckland about twelve months igo, and haa liseo boon ornlslDg emoBK tha island* On tho present trip, eno left Tavlunl on Sunday, Daoosaber 3. and during tho paSßaga experienced stroDg southerly winds, vaiylDß to a.li!. Sna B. A ga)o was eooonntoredon the 11th and 12(h IuBV, during whloh the v«sol was rannlnp; undtr olose reefart canvas. Ranglioto Channel, during the past week, has presented qnlte an important uppesrinoe, antt to new arrivals would prob»blyba cjnaideioi at first sight the Drinoipil anchorage of our har bour. No leoa tatnfour largo b«qnoi are lyints at uncaar outside of tho roef, waiting fo.- a favourable brcoza to get dear cf the land, 'i'toy Include the Coromandel, Loon fleet, Loch Ur.-, Mary E'anßj and nuraerocw &miller oratt 'Fho maatsrs of the KugJsh veswlsi havloß beioxe tired of waitlnu: Ou the wind, case up to town In their siga, and this afternoon bestowed their patronage on tfco orlokst match Master Msrl nora y. H.M, Gaatoms, played at North Shore.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Sydney, Deoembor 15. Sailed, this evonluß: Tho Union Company's steamship "VVafeatipu, fov Wellington.

Dunedis, this flay. Sillfld: Auckland, for London, with four pas- Boosters and a full onrgo.

Mail Notice.

SUica wi6i Ccoao as Uhdbh— THIS DAT. For Taurangi, Ohinemutu, and Opotikl, per Rotomabana, at 1 p.m. 1 For Thames, per Kotomahana, at i SO P.m. Monday. 18th instant. For Waitara, &a, per Maogreeor. at 8 a.m. For Coromaadel, per Coromandel, at 1.30. p.m. For Whltianga and Upper Mill, per Douglas, at 3 p.m. For Tanrawra, OMcomntn, and Opotikl,, p»r lona. at i p.m. For Kuaaoll, Kawukawa. Wbangaroa, and Mon gonul, par Qlonele, at 4.30 p.m. For Thames, per Enterprise, at 5.30 p-m. T cms day, 19 "h instant For Thames, per Botomohana. at 7.30 n.m. For' Walwera, Kawau, Omaha, and Matakana, per Roao Casey, at 10 a.m. For Taran&ki and Southern porta, per Talarea, at 11 a.m. For Russell and Kawakawa. per Rotomahana, at 1 p.m. TUKSDAA. January 2nd. Per b.s. City of new York, as follows :- For Sandwich Islands, United dtatee Of Amorica. Canada, British Columbia, Central and South Amorica, and British and Foreign West Indlos, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Buropo, at 1 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and Newspapers, at 11.30 a.m. Late letters bearing an extra tee of slxpeaoe, in addition to the postage, will be received by the Mail Agent on board the steamer np to tho time of sailing. This mail will be duo In London, on Mon day, February 12th, 1883.

The Colonial Government's b.b, Etella will leava tho Bluff to: Weac Coast Sounds on the 31atlosatnt.

Si B. BISS, Chief Postmaster. t Pcst-offloo. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

December 16, 18S3.

Abbott's Opera Honsa—Kellar and Cunard, the Royal lUuslwlats-" A Night In Dream land." 8 p.m. American Novelty Hall, Q»een-«treet.—Exhi bition of Palatine* of Egyptian War and Pre sentation of Qif M, T p.m. to 10 p.u. Now Zealand Regiment of Artillery—Mooting of Msmkern of Carbine Club, at Capt. Payne's, 8 p.m. French Literary Clnb, 7.30 p.m. V.M.C. A. -Devotional Mooting, 7.30 p.m.

Birth.

CAMMELL.—On Docombor 10th, at her resi dence, College Hill, tho wifo of W. H. Cammcll, of a son. , YON D4DBLSZBN.-On the 10th iostsnt, at Opotiki, the wife of O. D. Yon Dadel»z»n of a daughter. MoQUILb AW.-On the 11th Instant, at her re sUienoc, Cook- treet, the wlt>of Jocn MoQuil lan Of a daughter; bota doing well.

Death.

JOHNSON.—On December 14. at his lato <esl denoo. llanukau Road, farnell, Thomas John firo, aged 71 yean, late ot tha Windsor Castle Hotel.

The funeral will leave his Ute residence on fnndny.ai 3,30 p.m..for Ht.Stephen1! Ortnoteiy. Friends pliaw aooept.thls Intimation.

MoLARNON.-On December 16, W. It. MoLar non, eldeat son of T. R. MoLarnon; aged 13 years. Tho funeral will leavo Us residence, Papa toitoi, at 2 o'clock on Monday. Friends plcaso accopt this invitation,

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

SATURDAY. DECEMBER 16, 1882.

Tor tho causa that looks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistanca For tha future ie the cUstauco, And the good that wo can do.

THE New Zealand Shipping Company, in pursuance of their resolve to retain a hold on the commerce of this colony, have arranged to start a line of steamers at once. The first steamer—tho British King —leaves London for Wellington and Lyttel ton next January, and will be followed by the Britiih Queen for Lyttelton in February. The follow ing month a steamer will leave di rect for Auckland. Otago, which has made the chief outcry about tbe direct service, is, we presume, unavoidably left out in the cold until the harbour of Fort Chalmers is prononnced safe for vessels of such large i tonnago. The British King is a steamer of 3,558 tons, or slightly larger than the vessels now employed upon the San Francisco mail service. The route chosen is via the Strai's of Mage* lan — longer in milage than via the Cape of Good Hope, but possessing the advantage of steady favourablo wind*. Tho voyage is expected to occupy about 45 1 days, being shorter tban the journey west- I ward, with the delays of transhipping at | Sydney. By means of this line the Zea lander, travelling to London, will obtain tho advantages of a maximum of speed, with lowness and certainty of cost, One of the worst drawbacks to the other routes is the doubt which assails the mind of the passenger regarding the ultimate cost of the journey. Travellers to New Zealand will also be kept clear of the allurements of attractive countries touched at by the way. New Zealand has lost many a good settler from this cause. Tbe inauguration of this service, therefore, un der the auspices of a New Zealand company, and free trom the schemes of local interests to drive the trade in a particular direction, affords ground for universal satisfaction, and we can only hopa that the Company will find the undertaking as profitable as the wonderful enterprise and energy dis played in its initiation deserves to be,

The Union Company have received a telegram announcing that the Taiaroa, •which has the Auckland cricket team aboard, will arrive at unehunga about six o'clock to-morrow morning. No danbt our cricketers will take measures to give the returned heroes a welcome. Beale's famous team will, it is surmised, come up in the same steamer.

A number of Devonport. residents are inceoeed at the manner in which the funds of the district are expended by the Highway Board. Yesterday a protest against the action went roubd and was numerously Bigned. An indignation meeting is to be held on Wednesday night.

On dit that a meeting ot North Shore residents will ehortly be held to protest against the action of the Takapuna Jockey Club.in holding their summer meeting on the 29th January—the day of the Auckland Regatta.

The inspection parade of tho Victoria Rifles i« called by advertisement for Tuen* day next at the Drill-thed. Captain Mahon requests a full attendance, this being tho i last inspection parndo for this year,

The Hospital monthly sorviue of soug will bo held to-morrow afternoou ou the lawn (weather permitting) at 3 o'clock. Tho sacred service will bo rendered by the able choir of Kt. Andrew's Church, under the conductorship of Mr W..CulpaD. The Prosbytorian hymn book wjlt be used on this occasion. The Rev. Mr Fulton, of Waikato, will deliver an address.

Sunday evening services are notifiod in another place. St Matthew's, Rev. W. Tobbs, M.A. "Hope"; at Paul's, Kcv. C. M. Nelson, M.A. " feeds" ; Abbott's Ope ra House, Mr Geo. A. Brown, " The Rom an, Church,"; Choral Hall, Pastor Spur geon; opening services of the Richmond Primitive Methodist New Charcb. Hospi tal Service of Song, nnd afternoou service on Mount Eden. Eveniug service at tho Theatre Royal at the usual hour.

The friends of, St. Thomas's Church, Uuion-streot, anuouoce a Christmas tree and fancy fair, to bo held in St, Thomas's Hall, on Thursday evening next. Tho ladies of tho congregation will exhibit a numb'r of fancy articles, chiefly by their own hands. A promenade concert will form an interest ing feature of the evening. A number of Christmas carols will be sung, interspersed by selections of music by tho choir.

Tho War Diorama still retains its hold upon public favour, each entertainment being enlivened by tha op»ratlo selections of tho Volunteer Hand, whilst the conjuring trioks amuee and doligut the audiences. Tho system of presenting each visitor with a useful presont meets with Rrsnt satisfac tion. This afternoon sauio hundreds of youngitors attoaded tho matineo. Tho entertaiument will be again open to-night.

Tho matriculation held in New Zealand In connection with tho London University resulted in two candidates passing, In honours division, No. 207, Mr J. W. Sal monrt (of Otago University) is placod equal with tho first candidate in tho original honours list. The place of tho other can didate (Mr T, X, Fleming, of Nelson College) is noxt to th« twontyfourth can didnto in tho original honouta list. The Gilchrist Scholarsnip will bo awarded to Mr Salmond.

Haywood's All Star Novolty Conrpany aro annouucod to appoar for a short season at tho Theatre Koyal, commencing on tho 26th hist. Tho company includes the ever green W. H. Bent; Mr W. JF. Bishop, a vocalist ; Mr £. J. Kennedy, a song and dance man; Mr C. Haywood, the mala soprano ; Charles McCarthy, well kuown in connection with Rickey in the Victoria I oftus Troupe ; nud Mr Lawless. Tho programme proparod for tho opening night is most enticing, including two or thice comediollos, sketches, farces, songs, dances, etc.

Tho usual fortnightly meeting of the City School Committc* was held hut evening Proient :Mr J. D. Schmidt (chairruau), Messrs Carr, Thwoites, Knight, Campbell, and McMastar, A circular having bseu received ro the election of tho new com mittco, it was decided tbat tho meeting of househoUers be held in tho Wellesley- Btroit School, and the first meeting of the committee on the Friday after the election. Circulars were received from tho secretary of tho Bonid of Education that Messrs Uoldio, Luke, and Prime would retire by rotation from tho Board on 31st March.

At the Police Court tbia morning, Thomas Priestley nnd Miriam Hamilton, arrested on wnrrant, wero charged tlut they did, on tho 28>h of November, kill and murder one Hugh Hamilton. Mr Tyler appeared for tho prisoner Priestley, and Mr Tboo. Ceoper for Mrs Hamilton. Superintendent Thomson asked for .v remand, aod objected to b>il in the present stage of the inquiry. Mr Thomson also took occasion publicly to thank tho Press for their judicious conduct in not publish ing rumours which had been in circulation respecting this unfortunate all'air. Tho case was remanded until tho 22nd iust.

The second number of "Picturesque New Zealand" is now out, and isaro-y creditable production. Tho frontispiece is a view of Auckland harbour, and ths des criptive letter-pre»s i« interesting and \v*ll written. Tho other views comprise sovoial excellent representations of the Terraces at Rotomahana. There aro six views in tho current numbar. Mr C, O. Montrose con tributes a narrative of tho journey from Auckland to Eotomahana, which appropri ately introduces tho scenes from the artist's bruth. We have no doubt that tho second issuo will provo as accoptablo to lovers of tho picturesque at homo and abroad as the last number was,

The Railway Band concert and dance last night in the Parnoll Hall was well nt teuded, and satisfactory to promoters and audience. A. V. Macdonald, Esq., aud many friends patronised tho entertainment. A number of songs wero sung by lady and gentleman atnatuu?, Mrs Elliott accom panying on the pianoforte in a very efficient manner. The band performed several choice seloclions of "music under Bandmattar Kliobor. Tim duot of Meisrs Ugborn and S|>ruge elicited cheera from delighted hearers, Tho sercr*l laities were in fine voicu, and their song* wer« pleasing. Mr Cant, who appeared for tlie tint time before a public audience-, sur mounted his natural modesty, and got through his ion;; iv a very creditable manner. At the ball, at which about forty couples stood up, Mr Il'. Lairry acted aa M.C. ; altogether, tho band dcsirro con gratulation for their entertainment.

The Weslojans of Ctahuhu held a most successful Christmas Tree in the public hall an Thursday evening, which proved a great success. The hall was crowded in every part. The price of admission was Is, and each visitor received at leista shilling's worth in toys, etc The business was con ducted by Metdames Pikttt, Johnston, Whiiraore, -and Stringer, and Miss Badley, with Mc«srs fikott, Good will, Farnsworth, JBycroft, and H. V. Stringer, nnder the direction of Roy, Goo. Bond, The distribution c-f prizes began at 7 p.m. and did not finish till 11 p.m., withbrief intervals for choice se'ec tions of music under the leadership of Mii>s Bums. Through the e*er*y and liberality of all concerned the tree was made to yield ■golden fruit, the financial result being over £30, which amount gacs towards reducirjg the debt of £200 which was on the very handsome church tho Wesloyans posews in this village. -

The adjourned meeting of the Eight Hours' Demonstration Committeo vras held last|night, in the Working Men's Club, the president (Mr Hsslop) being in tho chair. Tho minutes were read and adopted, and some correspondence received, among which were tenders for band service, That of the Hobson. Band was accepted. Different members of the company handed in both prizes and money from the follow ing gentlemen : —Mr Adams, opera glass; Mr Montague, cilvor tea and oofico sorvice; Mr Jones, gold watch pendant j Mr McPherson, silver solitaires; Mr Aley, clock; Holland and Fortzor, chost tea; Cruickshank and Miller, 1 guinea prize; Mr Geo. Quick, silver cup; and money prizes from Messrs P. J. Moss (M.H.JK.), J. Gillander, Mr Primo, Mr Kow, Mr Gallagher, J. Thomas, and Partridge and Woollams. It wai resolved that children accompanied by thoir parents bo admitted to tbo sports free; unaccompanied, under 14 years, 6<i. Messrs Kelly and McDougall wero appointed to make a general catnass for prizes. ' i

The friend 3of temprrance assembled lrotn all quarters, If we may judgo from the crowded meeting of the Harbinger of Peace Lodge, New Zealand Good Templars, last evening. After the sinning of the opening ode, Miss Griffiths, the pianist of tho even iD(j, executed a most difficult fantasia on the pinnoforte, followed by Brother Wil cocks telling some homely facts about the evils of BiroDg drinks. Tho quartette "See our Oars with Feathered Spray,"- was a revival of a grand old piece of music. Brother Hotham sang "You Get More Like Your Dad Every Day," and was enchored. Sister Marson sang sweetly the Inllad, "Thy Voice is Near." Brother Winks was rolling with humour in Lii comic arrangement of " Humming." The sisterß CottlDgham and Gernmel excellently rendered the duet, "What arc the Wild Waves Saying?" Brother Davidson "Wanted his Coffee Strong," and brother Marson was loudly applauded in "Wrecked and Saved," but the audience became rapturously enthusiastic at the harmonious blending of the four voices in "Cherry Bipe," so papular In tho days of Madame Vestris. The Temperance Farce, "Tho lawyer's Clerk," was ably sustained by all the characters. Tho audience joined in singing " fciod save tho Queen," which brought to a close a most Instructive and amusing entertainment.

SCINTILLATIONS.

A (ruiui.—An exponsive wifo makos a .pensive kusbatd,' . A Rood womaa is kinder to her enowies tlian a bad one is to her friends. The fashion of gentlemen wearing brace lets with mottoes is spreading in l'aris. Marriage is described, by a French cynic as a tiresome book with a very fine pre face. a New.London lady has taught hor dog to hold up her train whoa sho is crossing a muddy street Why is "naming the day" foi tlio wed ding liko a naval battle ? Becauso its a marry-time engagement. A tender has been accepted for the eroc tion of a women's model lodging-house. 'I he amount is £9,6C3. ' Tlib population of Franco in 1870 was 36,905,788, aud in 1881, 37,672,048, show ing an increase iv 18S1 of 76G.260, 0v2.1 per cont. "Amateur Gardener" wants to know tho easiest way to mako a hothouse. L: avc box of matchc3 where the baby can play ' with them, Tho Minister of Public Works is at H okitika. Tuwhho and same followers havo loft for Napier aud oiher settlements. MrMauncior, late of tho Mauku, has ac cidentally broken his leg iv tho bush at Tarauaki. Mr F, B, Fenton haa been appointed as agent hero for the English Wativo L»nd Company. Messrs J. and D. Sinclair, at V/«in»io matj, havo assigned their estate ; liabilities about £11,000, a«spts £25,000. i A "sealtd proposal" isonu tbat has been reuderei] valid by a corroborating kiss. Tho highest bid for Harkaway at Mr Bucklaud'H Varils ycstoidoy was £180, aud for Yuba BUI, £45. Tho deaths per 1,000 last month wcro : - Auckland, 1-23 ; Wellington, 1 03 ; Curist church, 083; Duncdin, 0 71; Thames, 059 j Invercargill, l'o3. Bishop Luck wont to Hamilton yoiterday, and was met at tho station by a number of the Komau Catholio residents.

Tho par centago of expenditure to receipts on tho various JSew Zealand railways last month was 7239 for North Island lines, and G4/15 on Middla Island lines.

J. C. Laycock, oq bobalf of bin son Eliai, has made a match with Michael Hush to row for the championship and £200, about threo months hence. Convention ovurheard at the seaside between two children who wero playing on tho sandt. Small boy to little girl—" Do you wish to bo my wife ?" Little girl, after rciliction—" Yes." Small boy—" Thon pull of! my bsots." Dr. F. Molonoy, of Molbsurno, says that many promising boya and girls die annually from the forcing educational pro ccis which is too common in Victoria,

M«ssrs Downey, tho English ph«to gruphers, lately received an order from Annrica for 25,000 copies of Mr*l»angtry'i portrait. This was in anticipation of her arrival in the States,

Tho Otago whaler Splendid, which arrived at Lyltelton a day or two a^o, has made ii lucky find of a pioco of ambirgris, weighing over 7,0000z5., being worth somo £5 an ounce.

The Siorthcote aid Ponsonby I'orry Com paoy, to most the Ucreased traffic to Nonbcote, have added a Muplo of extra trip on Saturdays, at tho reduced cost of 6d per return ticket. Dmius; tbo live Sunday afternoons ob which tbo Sydney Art Gallery ha« been open, the total numbtr of viuiori has amounted to 19.G40, or anaveraga #f«ver 3,900 for o»ch Sunday, a Wellington Ulcgram atat«s that Mr Matthew Michatl Cl<-ary, of the Hokitika Gaol, ana been appointed Governor of tho Gaol at Auckland, vice Mr James Culd well.

Tho e.\ami»ations for tluoa £35 scholar ships, established by tbo lato Sir Donald Mc'ussn, will take place on Monday and Tuesduy next. The scholarships aro for native", eithor Maori or half-ca-t^, that havo attendod a nativo school during tho previous y*nr. Tho " Kroad Arrow" affirms thit althouEh very few instance"! have occurred during the recent oporations in Egypt in which the Victoria Cross has beo« earned, a rather long list will bo banded in of men who inve by tboir gallantry in tbo f»c« of the enemy established a claim to be decorated with the silver modal for dis tinguissod co»duct in the field.

THE AUCKLAND CRICKETERS' TOUR.

The Team at Taranaki.

(BY TELWJRAHL—SPECIAL REFOIWKB.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. The team left Nelson at noon yestarday, and arrived thin morning after a rather rough trip. Thero w«ro plenty of fond partings at "Slsepy Hollow," and a few vows of eternal fidelity. Will, our bowler, is one of tho number who have lost thy hearts. The team wero reado veryoom fortablc at McGco's in Nelson, and even the prospect of getting homo was scarculj luiii cient inducement to thorn to tear themselves away, though returning homo victorious. They have won six matches out of seven, and tho other was so closely contested that the houthcrners almost gavo up hope attor all their tall talk. Nelson wu» pulled off at the )a«t moment by genuine plucky play. Tho eld veteran, Auckland, who had iKen " plugging " nway all day against tho wind, coming off at tho last moment. Nelson possesses a line team, and has beaten Wel lington for seten succesuvo years. Their bowling ii said to be tho best wo have met in tho colony. Now that tho trip is over, it is interesting Co go tnto tho individual ex ploits of each member of the team. Tho analyiis appended has just been completed :

Barton bowled two wldes, and Robinson two bo balls. BEALK'S TEAM. A. M. Beale's would-be cricketers are hero, and ate now concluding their patch. New Plymouth made 130 in their first innings, and the Bealitos havo seven wic kets down for 59, nnd a goodly portion of these wero made by Vcitch, a local resi dent. Ernest Bealc, who is one of the bost men of tbc eleven, i? still ill from sun stroke ai Wanganni,

Tho Xaiftroa loaves hero at 3 o'clock, nnd is expected to reach the Manukau to-mor row at 0 a.m.

NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday.

ANOTHER SMACK FOX BKALE.

The Auckland cicketors played New Plymouth Bloven to-day. Very few per sona attended. Jioalo won the toss, and elected that the Auckland team should take the Hold, and_ New Plymouth made 130 runs in their first innings. Auckland thon wont in, and lost cix wickets for 17 runs. When the stumps were drawn there wero 7 wickets down for 58 runf. Tho game will be renewed to-morrow.

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before F. G» Clayton, Esq., J.P.)

Drunkenness.—Four persons were punished for this offence. Vagrant.—James Watson was charged under tho Vagrant Act, with being an habitual drunka:a, and without visible means.-!' ourteen davs'imprisonment. Temporary Jnsanity. — Kzra Lunn and Edward Kano, who had been remanded for oight days owing to excessive drinking, wore fined 5s each. A Child of Nature.—EUon Curtia, a young girl o£ Chancery Lane, was brought up on a charco o£ robbing James McGutnncßS, recently from tho bush, of his purse, containing about £15.-On tho application of Sergeant White the caso was remanded until Monday. ■ This was all tho business.

DUNEDIN, this day.

DROWNED,

Jobn WimpeuHy, clerk, in the employ of Sparrow and Co., was drowned tliis morn ing wbil«t buthinj* at Ocean Beach, The body was carried out to sea.

CABLEGRAMS.

[BKUTEK'S CABnEaRAMS,]

THE ENGLISH OCCUPATION OF EGYPI'. '

LONDON, December 14. Earl Derby addressed a largo public mooting at Manchester last evening. In tho course of his speech ho referred at length to tho Egyptian question, and ie pudisted the idea of an .English forco re maining in Egypt a moment longer than was necessary.

BtUTISH PROTECTORATE OVER SUEZ CANAL. BERLIN, December 14. The North German Gazette aunounces in an article to-day that communications have recently passed between Ungland and other European I'owors regarding the Suez Canil, and that tho British Govornmont proposes to oniuro tho maintenance of tho neutrality of tho canal by the establishment of a joint European protection.

THE CHANCELLORSHIP. It is officially announced that the Bight Hon. H. C, B. Childers has assumed the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer, vice the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, resigned. DISSENSIONS IN TBE'PRENCH CABINET. LONDON, December 15.

Serious dissensions are roportod to have occuxicd in the French Cabinet regarding the Tonquin expedition.

TISOUBLE FOR THE SULTAS.

A placard has been posted about tho city of Stambpul denouncing tho Sultan,'£s a inidmau, aud urging his deposition and a change of dynasty.

AID TO AMERICAN SHIPPING. The cDmmitteo of Congress in America has proposed to grant largo ship-building bounties. THE FIRK IN KINGSTON. Tho lire at Kingston, Jamaicans supposed to have boea the work of an incendiary. The loss is citlniatod at three million.

THE BISHOP OV ADELAIDE.

Bishop Konnion has sailed for Adelaide,

JHE 0. R. EGYPTIAN RAILWAYS,

Tho overland passeDgcr routo through Kgypt will bo resumed at the end of December.

AUSTRALIAN.

KAURI TIMBER IN MELBOURNE.

MELBOURNE, Decamber 15,

Messrs C. S. Boss and Co, of this city re port the salo of kauri timber, ex Peerless and Nightingale, at the following average prices par 100 feet super.:— Bewn logs, lGs Gd; sawn ilitcbes, 17s ; sawn boards, 1 inch, 19a ; ditto, 1J to 3 inch, 21s. The markot is weaker. THE N\B.W. ELECTIONS. BKDNEY, December IB Tho general elections will ahartly be con cluded, The rolurns now to hand show a large majority against tao Government. COMMERCIAL. SYDNEY, December 15. Now Zealand wheat, per bushel, is quoted at 4s 2d, New Zealand oats at 3s 4d, and maize at 6i Gd. Tbe ttugar Com pany's No. 1 piecea, per ton, remain at £35. ADELAIDE, Decomber 15. Wheat, per buahel, is qnolod at 4s lOd. Nothing ii doing, and there is no inquiry. Town flour, pir ton, is £12, and country brands £11 ss. freights to the United Kingdom, from Adelaide, sailing, remain at from 37a to 40s. The freight market i« weak or, _____

WELLESLEY-STREET SCHOOL.

DURING tho curreut week the annual Standards, examinations bare been con ducted by MiHsrs J. S. Goodwin, aid P. Peacock, Inspectors under tho Board of Education, when about 675 pupils, male aud femalo, wero prtseated. * early tho wholo of the questions were answered in writing ; with what results will bo known when the Inspectors' reports pro pub lished next month. At the close of tho examination on Friday, the bond master, Mr Worthington, complimented tho pupil* (especially tho gir'n) on their very oxcellont conduct daring tbo week, and on tho earnestness they had displayed during ibe trying ordeal to nhich they had been subjected. He was uuable to dismiss for tho holidays at proicnt, as the Board of Education had decidad that the school dhould remain open till tho 22nd inst., aud it was thoirduty to cheerfully acquiesco in that decision, and carry on their studies for another week. An, how ever, about thirty ot them would ba com petitors for tbo scholarship! mxt we*k, and would, of course, be unable t» bo present, ho would tako tho opportunity of presenting tin throa school prizes, all they had tnii year, to those who had gained them on tbo Ist inst. They w«ri awsro that CaptaU J. Williams, of 11.11. Customi (Auckland), had far several -years past Riven an annual donation of £1, to which was added' a smaller one of five shillings hy himsolf as a lecond prize, to the best writers of h pap«r on a given sub ject. Captain Williams win »o mmch pleased last year (1881) with tho efforts made to win his prize, that this year he had given ten shillings extra as a second prize. Tho subject chosen and announced in March lost was tho "History and Colonisation of New Zealand," end as they were aware the competition took place on the let inst, when 117 pupils of tho higher standards entered the lists. The judges were Messrs jso*s and Hamil ton, and Misses Dunning and Kilfoylo, and they had unanimously decided that tbo award should bo—Miss Euphemia Simpson, Ist; Miss Julia Banle, 2nd; and Matter David Smart, 3rd. The successful compe titors had been allowed to make their own selection of books of the value of the amounts named, and he (tho headmaster) had much pleasure in presenting thorn. On the conclusion of this ceremony, Mi"■ ter Win, Davey came forward and read the following :—" Wcllosley-strnet School, De cember 15th, 1882. fl. Wbrthington, Esq. : Kir, —Wo tho pupils of your first class, bare great pleasure in presenting you with this small token of our affection and esteem. We take this opportunity of thanking you for your kindness in watching over and for warding our intorosts both in and out of school, and bog to assure you that the re membrance of your exertions on our b:half will remain with us for many long years. Tho address was accompanied with a pre sentation of a silver ink-stand, with fittings complete. Mr Worthington said ho was sorry they had chosen to-day to make this presentation, as it might be inferred tbey were taking tor granted that the school closed to-day. Master Herbert Philips begged to bo allowed to explain, that as so many would bo unavoidably absent next week, they had taken thin opportunity to carry ont their wishes. The Head-master was glad to hoar this explanation, and thanked them very heartily for their bcauti, ful present, aud si ill more for the feeling which prompted it. 'J ho girls then presented an address (read by Miss Annio Mo«os), accompanied by the present of a beautiful silver bracelet, to Miss Jerram. Tho head master thunked tlmn on bchalt of Miss Jerram, and expressed his sincoro gratifica tion that they had loarnt so thoroughly to appreciate that lady's efforts. For his own. part, ho did not know what Welleslcy atreet would do without bor, so completely was sho idontilied with the school. One of the girls of tho fourth cla«s then stepped forward, and presented to Mr Adams, in. tho name of her schoo'foilows a very handsome cbina tea set, and an address expressive of their ap preciation of his untiling effort) to continue and direct their studies since the retirement of their former teacher, M'ss E. G. Wal lace, in September. Mr Adams said ho was of opinion that Miss Wallace ought to havo been the recipient of their beautiful and valued present, as It was evident that she had so thoroughly grounded them in their 'work that it was a real pleasure to carry on their studies. Be thauked them very heartily for their remembrance of him, and bad great hopes of their future. Miss Kil foyle and Miss Wilson also received pre sents from their respective classes, the former a toilet set and the latter an ink stand.

SUPPOSED MURDER OF HUGH A. HAMILTON

The WIDOW ALSO J3.BKBSIED.

Both Prisoners Remanded till

Friday next.

Tub sensation caused throughout the city last night by the disclosuto of the hidden facts in relation to the supposed murder of Hugh A. Hamilton by his wife and Priestley (student of divinity) was intense, and as a natural result the Police Court ond 5 its precincts were thronged this morning by persons curious to see the prisoners. Mrs Hamilton, we may rein irk, was arrested at 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and, like Priestley, voluutoered no statement. Appearance in Court. Shortly after 10,30 o'clock the Court was ODened by Mr F. G. Clayton, J.P., and a moment later tho prisoners were led into the dock. Priestley was pale, bin perfectly calm and collected, and be met the gaze ot the crowdunflinchingly. Ho has regular and well-defined features, a clear complexion, and a firm and rcsoluto expression of face, while his figure is rather above the average stature of men. His hair waa uncombed, and clustered about his forehead, though not in a slovenly fa*hi n, His upper lips and cheoks wero cloan shaven, but he wears a bushy goatee beard. He was dresßed in a rather loose pair of dark tweed tromors (similar to thoße in the posses sion of the police) and a blue serge sac coat, buttoned well up to t.o chin. Ho exhi bited do discompoauro whatever, nor any affectation of iudilFerence, Tho f*m»!e prisoner, however, was obviously unwell, and after tho charge had been mado she was accommodated with a seat. Her outer dress consisted of a light tweed ulster with a black collar, and on her head a little black toquo, with a voil tied round it and fasUntd behind. She has a prominent noso, and high cheek boues, while- the mouth v de pre»ied, as if Bomo of the front teeth wcro gono, Sho made no visible display of emotion. 2he Charge—Wilful Murder. The prisoners woro charged with " felon iously, wlKully, and cf malice afore thought, killing and murderiDg one Hugh Aitken Hamilton, at Auckland, on tbo 28th day of Hovember, 1882." Both pnsoneis pleaded not guilty. Superintendent Thomson then said :— la this case, as your Worship is probably aware, the arrests were only made yester day. Yon. will doubtless remember also that oo the 29th of last month aa inquest was held upon the body of a young man named Hamilton, when a verdict was brought in that— Mr Tyler: I appoar for the prisoner, Thomas Priestley, your Worship. Mr Thco. Cooper: I appear for the other prisoner, Miriam Hamilton. . Supt. Thornton: I was about to observe, your Worship, that on the 291h of hut month an ioqmst was held on the body of the deceased man Hamiltou, aud a verdict returned that he had accidentally mot his death by falling against an iron bedstead. The friends of the decea»ed were dissatisfied with this verdict, and.as some diiquietihg reports were about, they waited upon mo aud urged mo to presecute further enquiries. We took the mattsr up, and a fosr days afterwards, in conaequenco of some suspicious circumstancss coining to lteht, a Very cloie investigation was begun, its result boing the prisoaerV arrest, Each day dtvelopes something fresh in the chain of evidonce, and bring* to light somo add tional siupiciouj fact?. Tho male prisoner, for instance, early in tho enquiry, was shown to have ruudo two aepaiaie accounts as to how he spent tho night <m which the decoaicd receivid his in juries, and each of them has been proved to bo false. I then sent ■for him, and upon questioning him a« to his whereabouts on tuo fatal night ho gave me a third vorsion, which I have found also to be absolutely iilse. In coneequtneo of this and other suspicious circumstances I waa compelled to go tfie length of issuing a warrant for liia arrest, and al»o one for tbo arrest of the widow of tho deceased, inas much as she likewino had nude con tradictory statements to various persona Beyond this stage it is not necess»ry for me to carry my explanation. I thoreforo apply for a remand till Friday next, as I am not prfparrd to go on with tho c»so now, and prooably shall not be even then.

Bad Applied for and Kef used,

Mr Coopor : On bobalf of tho prisoner, Mrs H»iniltoDjl havoto n-ako an application ■which perhaps is not a utunl one in cases of this description, viz , that sbo may be admitted to bail. I ask your Worship to grant this application, and to mako tbc surctim as substantial and as heavy as yon pleaso, for they can bo obtilned. The grounds upon ■which I m*ko the application are that the prisoner is now in a very bad stato of health; indeed Dr. Dawson has beon sent for, and he may examine hrr in order to satisfy the Court that confinement may not only be prejudicial to her health, but also fatal to life. In.addi tion to this, X may say that when she was arrested yesterday sha was obliged to leave her children, t'«o youngest of whom is not yet two years old. Under those circumstances I make the ap plication, pointiug out, fw I do so, that it is within your Worship's rii*cre. tion to grant it—that although whern a charge of murder is mado it is not usual to grant bail, yat thatyotir Worship has power to do it. I ask you, therefore, in the special circumstances of the ca«e, to grant the application, boariuß in mind thu ill health of tho prisoner, and the further fact that she has young children depending upon her. If you are not disposed to do it on my application, you may grant it conditionally upon the presentation of the doctor's certificate' that we will very likely be able to get soon. The prisoner ii suffering from heart disease — palpitation of the heart, I believe, and it has been so bad this morning that several times she was almost unconscious. I sub mit to you, then, that the production of the certificate should warrant the prii oner's a<l nußsion to bail,b«arirgin mind,too, thutthttru are young children wanting a mother's care, and that you can make the securities as substantial ai possible. This can be done too, without the case against tho prisoner being prejudiced

Supt. Thomson :—I regret veiy much, your Worship,that I am compelled to oppose this application, 1 must strenuously opposo cither prisoner being admitted to bail at this stage of tho enquiry. With rtfereico to the children of Mrs Hamilton, I may say that they are residing at her brother's house, and, as he ha married man, there is no doabt that they will be ■well looked after. It it painful for me to oppose an application of this kind after the forcible manner ia which Mr Cooper has put it. Still, were tho prisoner ad mitted to bail at the present time it would be calculated to prejudice tbo interests of justice Of course sho will bavo medical attendance while she is in confinement.

His Wosah'p : The Bench is of opinion that the bail asked for mnot be refused. I do not think that the prisoner is likely at all to suffer by is, for if she is in any way ill she will be taken care of by tho authoritifs in tho gaol, and as tor her children, no doubt they will be cared for alto.

An AcJenoivledgment to the Press.

Superintendent 'IhoiDEon: There is a medical officer attached to the Gaol. I take this opp)itunity of publicly thanking the local Press for their considerate reti cence in ttiia matter by abstaining from giving publicity to tho startling rumours that have been, current, and of which they havo been cognisant for some tirao. They knew that the affair was in the hands of the police, and a good deal of difficully was associated with it, and, at my urgent request, they kindly refrained from publishing tlia information they had got. I feel very grateful indeed for it. The police have had plenty of difficulty to contend with without tho very seriousj additional obstacles that would have been placed in their way by premature disclosures on the pirt of the Press. I feol very thankful for their courtesy. The cose was then remanded till Friday next, and the prisoners were at once removed from the dock. Sundry JSemarks. Hamilton's father, who keeps the Domain Gardens, was in Court, and seemed much depressed. j

A large crowd gathered outside to see the prisoners conducted back to the Police Station. Priestley, however, was the one who was principally noticed. He wore a black soft felt hat,, and maintained his firmness, regarding the bystanders without any sign of faltering. By Ms gait he seems to be lint-footed, and bis trousers hung loosely abont his leps As he crossed Chancery Lane ho turned round and took a parting sunoy of the people around t»ie Court before disappearing through the gate- Way.

Phwtly after the proceedings in the Court were over tho femalo .prisoner was inter- j viewed in her coll, in the presenco of the ■ guardhouse-keeper, by her brother, Mr Alex. Weilson, a male friend, and an elderly j woman, who was also a friend of the family. The whole party were affected, and the two women wept and sobbed piteously together. Priestley's Contradictions. A a we remarked yesterday, the contra dictory statements made by friestley as to hi« whereabouts on the night ot the | alleged murder form an important part of the implicatory evidence that has been obtained against him, It will be recollected that Mr liichardson mtt him at 7. 30 p.m. on Tuesday, the 28th ult., going into Mm Goirie's house in Pitt-street, when he re marked that he intended going to Onehunga > that night, but it was the next Sunday morning, and not the following morning, that he recalled tbe circumstance to Mr Kichardson's recollection. In answer to Supt. Thomson's enquiries', he said that he went into Mrs Gorrie's to get some cure for neuralgia, as the lady is a skilled homceoputhist, and that he only remained thire a moment, setting out for Onchuuga imme diately afterwards and spending the night there. He gave the name of the per son at whose house he protessed to have Slopped, but on Detective Stratheam going out to see if this were so he found that the prisoner had uot been there at all. It was further ascertained that he had told some one else tbat he had spent the night fi«hing off liangitoto. When he had been rna'Je ac quainted with the fact that those dis crepancies were known he told (Superin tendent Thomson that ho had gone out to Unehunga, but meeting a child of the family with whom he intended stopping he gave her a message aud went on to a friend's ut Mangaro, where he stayed for tho night. Thia also wai inquired into by Detective Strathearn, and found to be with out foundation, 'lhe prisoner further stated tbat on hit way back from Onehunga ho called in at Mr Morgan's chemist shop in KarangahapoKoad about noon,and there learut ot tho murder. Those who woro present said, tbat, on being told Hamilton W*» dead, ho exclaimed, " What Hamil ton ?" and on being answered, professed grtat astonishment and concern, and then hastened away, saying that the. wife would be in a gieat state, and that he must see her. To Mr Snedden it will D 3 seen elsewhere he said he arrived in town from Onehunga during the afternoon.j Mrs Hamilton's Position. The evidence inculpating Mrs Hamilton also consists in some pait of contradictory statements. There are, too, the singular facts that she gave no alarm nor sought any assistance during the night, although her mother and eistei-in-!aw lived in the house on one side of her and her nurse in the one on the other eide, and that while she allege 3 her husband to have been so drunk when he came home as to have fallen helplessly at full length against the iron bedstead, he is shown to have lift tbo York Hotel at midnight quite sober, and that bis lodge books were found c^rafully placed away at home asd his watch rtound up and removed from hia waistcoat. Again, too, there is the state ment that be did not reach home till between 1 and 2 a.m., the fact traces of blood are not discoverable outside the house, and the very suggestiro cir cumstances that the wall of Hamil ton's bedroom at tho foot of his bud have been found to be ligatly bespattered with blood, while on Dr. Wa'ker's arrival at tho homo on the morning ofjflamilton's de*th ho noticed that there cadWe»n a re cent attempt to wash away all traces of blood. Ho told our reporter thii morning tiat he wanted to oeo Hamilton's clothes, but could not obtain the ro, for the man h»d boon nudressed to his shi<t, cleau bedclathes supplied him, and tbe carpet (straw matting) cleanly washed. Ho says, furtlur, that Mm Hamilton was uot removed frcin the house in an uncon scious state, but that she went in to her mother's upon some one recommending her to do so. Hamilton's wound was a triangular one upon tho right temple, at the junction of tho frontal and parietal bonos, and a piece of tho skull, nn ioch long by three-quarters of an inch in thick ness, was found driven in upon the brain. | Dr. Walker ia not prepared to say that such an injury would not be inflicted by a fall headlong against tbe bed, but h» doubts whether, in tuoh a case, the blood would spurt out to tUe wall as it has dono. Great stress, of course, is laid upon the discovery of tho blood-stained axe. Mr Eobott Neilson (Mrs Hamilton's brother) found it on tho morning of tho sad affair lying in a plot of gTa.s between hi< house and that of his sister*, and a little j girl says she saw Mr3 Hamilton carrying it into her house behind a brtom the next morning. It now looks a» if there hod been nn attempt to wa»h ic. We give for what it is worth tlia rumour that deceased wa« heard outside tho York Hutel at hnlf-p-»st twelvo a.m. on the 28th in angry aiterc* | tion with some other malo individual.

Demeanour of the Prisoners. Hoth prifoners have been strangely reti cent since their ' arrest, and it 'is therefore bolicved that they had both taken legal advice ou learning the intentions of the p>lice.% Accused per sons usually nuke a strenuous and in dignant denial of the Charge preferred against them and seek to account for any auspicious circumstaiof-s, but Priestley and Mrs Hamilton exhibit no inclination to converse with anyoDe on the subject, nor have they volunteered any statement as to bow in the ono case the axe was stained with blood, and in the other how Priestley's trousers and handkerchief were marked in a similar way. Last nigbt Mrs Hamil ton, had to wait some time in tbo guard house, awaiting the arrival of the female searcher, but, wjth|tbe exception of one or two monosyllabic answers, she was quite mute.

Mr J. A. Snedden's Statement,

H< aring that Mr Jas. A. Snedden, em ployed at Messrs McMastcr's drapery warehouse in Queen-street, bad bad an in terview with the prisoner Priestly on the ntornikg of thebuiial of Hamilton, we in terviewed him and obtained some new and important information bearing directly on the subject of the supposed murder. Mr Stcdden very reluctantly gave thofi Ilowiog statement:—" It was on the morning of the burial, when I was in the shop, that Thomas Priestly cama in,.and in coarse of conversation he volunteered the statement that, in his «pinfon, • Hugh Hamilton had been waylaidaud thrashed. H« also remarked 'You know t was out at ' nebußga that night, and did not return until thres o'clock the next afternoon.' He then satii, " Hamil-1 ton must indeed have been-a strong man, for all along the tides of the passage jou could see blood marks where his hands had been, and itjnmt bave been 6ut»i'le the house whoro he was struck.' Priestly see rued under tho impression that it was not within the 'building that Hamilton re ceived the two cuts, and said he bad made particular enquiry ot thorn (meaning, I suppose, Mrs Hamilton and friends) as to how the doo's were left, whether open or cloEod." Suspicious Circumstances. Now that the fact has been made public tbatitissuspectedthat Hugh rJamiltoncame by his death by moans other than describtd at the inquest, various rumours of a more or less damaging character have got into circulation, and havo caused a great seosat'oo. It is stated by persons well ac quainted with (he family that Mrs Hamil ton a short timogpgo consulted a solicitor wiih (hi objec; of securing a divorce, aud tint at the same time she was on very in limatc tetms with Priestley, but we cannot yet vouch for tho reliability of the state ment. A much more serious matter which is attracting public attention is the strange coincidence that on the same day Hamil'on died an infant of the family al.-o dep:>rtcd this life, ond was buried 'with the father. 1 his becoming publicly known caused much comment, and now thero are not wanting mauy who assert tuspiciun that Hie Child Died ctfi, Unnatural Death, *

and the police are called upon to taka this additional mystery in hand and unravel it to the satisfaction of all, Tho purchase of strychnine by the prisoner Priestley is al luded to with peculiar significance, and we 1 must admit that Sis actions call for much inquiry in this as well as other matters. A Curious Incident. Mr Henderson, chemist, whoso sboD is situated in Queen-street, near tho market, ! recalls a curious incident, which seems to have some bearing upon the case under no- j tice He says :— Whenlsawthereport of tho supposed murder case in la»t night's Stab I had recalled to mind an incident which occurred about six or seven weeks ago. A. young maii f answoring in oiory particular to the description giroa of Priestley, came into my store, and after maktog a few pur. cbases, asked if he could be furnisbtd whh Eome st'ychnine, as he wished to send it up to a friend of his in the country for the purpose of killing Maori dogs, which were a great nuisance to him. I replied that he could b» I

supplied, oettainly, if he brought a ■ reliable witness. He thon left, asd two days after, about 7.30 p.m., he again entered the shop with a female. He i beckoned to her to sit down on a chair near ■the door, and she complied imme diately. I was busy at the time serving a customer, but I suspected tbe young man's errand. Looking at his companion 1 formed the opinion that she wi»s at all events not 1 a person whom I would accept as a witness in such a case, .and I determined to act ac |cordiugly, I stepped tound to toe end of the counter and beckoned the young man to come there. I asked him had he come for the strychnine, and he replied " Yes," I then enquired if tbat woman was his witness, and again he replied "Yes." I askod, "Do you know who the is," and he said he did not. " Well, I responded, I am astonished; she's a woman of the street." The young man made no further remark to me, but turned round, and beckoning to bis female companion with bisbahd said, "Come on," and the both went out ef the door. I acted carefully in this instance, as I always do when poison is called for, and had the man brought any reliable witness, he would have been supplied with the strychnine." Exhumation of the Bodies. With this mass of evidence before them, and other fresh facts to collect, the police have no easy task in establishing a cannec tion between tbc numerous and con flictipg statements. We believe, how ever, that it has already beea decided to exhume the bodies of both Hugh Hamilton and hit child, when a careful medical examinatioa can be entered into, and several points at present enveloped in mystery may bo effectually cleared up. The injuries suttained by Hamilton will have to be rc-examjaed, aad probably also a poit mortem examination will bo made on the body of the child, for which purposes exhumation is rendered necessary.

The Rqv. JP. Mason desires us to state that Priestley was not a "uttuUnt" for the miuiitry. He was merely preparing* for* an g" arts " exami nation, conditional to entry uponmlnisterial training, lie B*ys farther tlut ha fouid I'ricatley a mild-'.empered and ipt young m*n, whom he would look upon at the latt person who would be guilty of such a crime as that with which he U new. charged.

THE ATTEMPTED MURDER AT DEVONPORT.

THE FjttISONER DIES IN GdOL.

Letter front JSooten to Ms Brother

On Monday evening last a considerable sensation was caused at Uevonport and its environs on its being bruited abroad that Thomas Hootou, a chemist residing at this pretty marine suburb, had attempted the life of Mi.s Bayner, daughter of Mr Kayner, J.P. Too particulars of tbo murder did not transpire at the time, partly owing to a feeling of delicacy on the part of the relatives of the young lady, and partly because Mr G. a). Brsasey, who vu en gaged for the prosecution, did not consider it aetrisabk that the ciroumgtauces of fcUo ca«e should get known. All' that w»s known was that Hooton had pr«»cnt»d. a leadtd r«volrer at tho young lady, thst the attempt had proved ineffectual, that Hooton had been arro>ted, brought before the I'olice Court, and remanded till the 20th list. Public interest, unfed by the startling details, flajged, and the affair had almost ceased to 'be spoken ot till this morning, when it be came current that - .

Hooton liad Been Found Dead in his cell at Mount Eden at three o'clock this morning. The letter from the gaoler to tbo police nicely notified the fact of the death, the cau-e of the prisoner's decease not being cvea hinted at. • ; Hooton's Anteced&nts. Up till some three or four months ago Thomas Hooton, with his wife, resided at Oromandel, and while thtre made tho acquaiutsnee of tbe family of Mr Kayner, The tiooton'p, owing to the hn«band's intemperate habits, Jived very unhappily together, and.it is alleged that on outs occasion he pursued kis wife with a carving knife, and 'tbr«atenfd to take , her life. Owing to his cruel treatment Mrs Hooton was frequently driven to se«k refuge under the friendly too; of Mr Knyncr, who on more than o»o occasion protected her from her husband's \io!ence. Hooton does not team to hive appreciated the interference of the Ravners, and, indeed, conceived a vio'ent ditlike for them, which found expression In threats and inu'ndoes wlwn he wa* the woree of liquon About tbree mouths ago the Hooton's cams to reside at Devdnport, wheie the Bayner's had also taken up tbeir residence ; indeed, both families retired in the same bouse. Hoc. ton commenced business on the Queen struct Wharf as a chemist and droftgist, and toough for a short time he was steady ha soon relapsed into his Old Intemperate Habits, <?, , and his unforturi»te wife lod a )i fe of evfU greater mhappiness than before, One day last week, stung to desperation by his crurlty, she ruihed into the part of the house occupied by the Rayner's, and claimed tbeir protection. This so inoensed,-. Uooton that he threatened to murder Dot only his wife, but tbe .Kayners also. >. The day after Mrs Hooton's flight, her .. hutband boirowed £5 from a friend, osten> sibly for the purpose cf purchasing

A Revolver and Ammunition for the protection of the hou»c from burg- - liuf, but, as the scqsel proved, re»l)y with the intention of carrying out hi« murderous threats. It transpired that he was already the possessor of a revolver, but ho pur« chased at the establishment of Mr W. H. Haztrd, gunsmith, Queen-street, ball cartridge and caps, telling Mr Hazard tbat he required the ammunition for a Mend in the Waikato. Hooton's next step was to load the weapon (a six-chambered revolver) and proceeded to the North Shore on Mon- j day evening last by the B.3oboat. The Misses Kayncr happened to be on the wharf as the ferrj s'enmercame along side.: Tiny at once recognised Hooton, and Ob serving that he was armed, came to tie conclusion that lie was About to carry out ■'■ his threats. They hastened home and ,:,

"■ Gave the Alarm, the family being in a stAte of expectant apprehension. It was surmised that Hooton would bs at the house almost immediately after the girls, but as some time clapted,. and he did not put in an'appearance, they became somewhat re-atsarod. Presently ■ ,

A Knock came to the Door; and Mies Rayncr, arming herself with a stick, procoeded to answer the summons. She did not think it was Hooton, Conse quently her terror waß great • when on opening the. d»or she. found her self looking down the deadly block tubs ofaretolrer presinted at her by the simi-aberrated chemist. Fortunately Miss Rayner is not a young )a4y who faints or goes into hysterics at the s'ght of a pistol, so with admirable ,: ,

Presence of Mind she promptly struck the revolver upwards, the blow, apparently, at the same'time causing Hooton's hand to relax its prcjswa on the trigger. Tfco weapon was fully; loaded, capped, and cocked. Just as Miss Rayner had performed this act of cool bravery, her younger sister and her father, appeared on the scene, «id without much ado wrested the revolver from his grasp, nnd handed him over to the police antho-; rities. As the public aro alieidy aware, he was remanded until the 20th. Hooton has a brother employed In tho establish ment of Messrs Potter and Co , merchants, Durham-street.

Since 'his Incarceration . ho wrote a letter to his brotherfully express ing his determination to "shoot Kayner." We understand that lha brother bad en gaged professional assistance for {be pri'oner'a defence, Mr Edwin Hesketh being retained. ~ .

Mrs Hooton States that she viiited Jier husband in gaol yester day, and that he then made nse of threats that he wonld murder Kayner. He in formed her that he had arrangee with Johu (hit brother) to Look after, the children. Hooton had. been iv the colony only thtee years, arriviug at Wellingtou from England iv the ship Marivalin 1879. .. ; '

The Inquest.

An inquest on the bady of Ihos. Hooton was held at the G«ol, at two o'clock this afternoon, before Dr. I'liilsou. • Vdwin Ri^erby, chief warder, deposed: When deceased was admitted he appeared all right, with the exception of a; little sickness, apparently from the effects of

ISI MmiLLAtiß Er€MM:* $i'A& "SATDRt'-Ag,. DECEMBEB

2



BATTING AVERAGES. t» m m P M flu o a do § 1 ft! I ! 1 It M H 55 -4 Barton .. ..316 1 11 19 „ Arnell .. ..213 2 11 23 S O'Brien -. .. 116 1 0 W5 'lestra .. .. 112 1 0 It Y»tos .. -.107 9 8 13.2 Blair _ .. 77 9 6 W8- QUI IS 1 8 11-23 Gardiner .... 86 0 0 107 Kcblnson .. _ 1C9 0 II 9-9 L-mkham«. .. 60 1 8 8'5 Dufauc .. .. 10 0 I 2'S liucliland.. ..9 1 a 22 • Bowmng Analysis. 1 J § I 8. ft I lankharn .. 1237 351 1C9 60 7l"50 Knckland .. 729 212 47 26 95*26 Roblnsoa .. 501 187 S3 22 -8} Blair .... 25 fl 11 Vi Hanoa .. .. 107 61 3 6 '101 Gill .. _ 651 211 65 19 2216 IJufaur .. .. 47 13 3 1 13



■jVTEW r^EiLAND DEDIGREE QTOCK /"IOMPANY (LIMITED), TO BE INCORPOBATED • UNDEB " TIIK COM PANIES AOT, 1852." CAPITAL £200,000 In iO.OOO Shares of £5 each; 5s on application, . 53 on allotment, 103 overy two months until £2 per Share is paid up; further calls as required, at intervals of not less than three months, and not to exceed 5s por Bhoro. PROVISIONAL DIRECTORS: HON. JAMK9 WILLIAMSON, M.G.A. THOMAS RUSSELL. Esq., C.M.G. ALFRED BUCKLAND, Esq. EVERY MeLEAN, Esq. , JAMES BAILEY, Esq., C.B. . WILLIAM BTBELE, Esq. JAMES McCOSH CLARK, Esq. JOSIAH CLIFTON FIRTH, Esq. THOMAS MORRIN, Esq. P.OOMISKEY.Esq. DAVID NOLAN, Esq. ;/; JOSEPH L. WasON, Esq. BANKERS: THE BANK OF MEW ZEALAND. SOLICITORS: MESSRS JACKSON AND RUSSELL. SECRETARY (prcTtem). JOSEPH BENNETT, Esq.



" Tho objects of tho New Zealand Pedigree Stock Company (Limited) are the breeding and rearing of Pure Cattle, Clydesdale Horses and Sheep, and disposing of same by sale or other •wiseln New Zealand, the Australian Colonies, San Franoisco, and elsewhere. In order to carry out these objects it is pro posed >— i 1. To purohase from the Auckland Agri cultural Company (Limitedjthe following Proper ties now used by them for stock-breeding pur poses, viz., (a)' Cranston, "Waikato, 8,863 acres, (b) Tamaki, No. 1 Farm, The Chase, and ..-■.' Butly Manor, 752 acres, : (c) Tamaki, GreenhiU, liO acres, together with their celebrated Pure-bred Short horn and Hereford Herd, Clydesdale Horses, Lincoln and Loicester Sheep. 1 To purchase from Messrs T. and S. Morrin their Stud Farm at Meadowbank, Remuera, consisting of 249 acres 2 roods 5 perchos, and the Leasehold Estate of 91 acre adjoining, to gether with their valuable Pedigree Shorthorn Hera. To farmers and dealers In cattle it is well known that Pure-bred Stock are more easily fattened, come to maturity earlier, produce belter beef, and realise higher prices than the ordinary class of Btock. This fact, which is bo Significant to breeders and dealers in cattle, haß of late years induced a constant and active demand for pure-bred stock in England, America, and the Australian Colonies. Inviow of this demand for pure-bred cattle, and the large and increasing area of land which is annually taken up for grazing purposes all ovor New Zealand, and tho vast quantity of cattle roaulred to stock the same, the Directors see at once a ready market at good prices for tliair stock and they believe the Company will bo able to pay early and continuous dividends from their ordinary operations in the sale of stock, without relying upon any profit from the in-, creased value of landed property, whioh ia here . after referred to. The Direotors oonfldontly anticipate that tho Frozen Meat Trade cannot fail to open a practi cally unlimited niarkot for New Zealand beef aid mutton, and will give to stock-grazing interß3ts in New Zealand an impetus whioh muse ultimately tend to the great advantage of this Company. The whole of the Pedigree Herds before mentioned, the Clydesdale Horses and Shoep are well-known, and consist of first-class im ported stock (judiciously seleoted by th» b°?t fudges, without regard to cost) and thoir progeny. Wherever exhibited they have re ceived the highest prizei. Tho celebrated Shorthorn Bull" Dake of Newcastle, the pro perty of the Auckland Agricultural Company, was awarded First and Champion Prize at the Intercolonial Exhibitlon.at Sydney for the f bast bull of any bread, for which the whole of the Australasian Colonies competed with imported and Colonial bulls. This bull and many of bis raoaenyare among the herds proposed to do purohased. Tho Herefords ore deservinff of special mention. Five hundred and forty-flvo in number, they form the largest herd of pure Herefords in the world-their progeny have always met a ready and remunerative sale. The land proposed to be purchased by the Company for carrying on their operations con- Bl»ta of well-select*! and suitable stations, ■where the breeding of pure cattle has for many years past been successfully oonduotea. These properties have also, been selected with a vletr to their future increase in value, and from this souroe alone the Directors anticipate the Com pany will derive considerable profit. Eleven hundred and forty acres of tho land acquired are so near to the City of Auckland as toentitle them now to be classed as Suburban lands, and they must speedily advance in value with the rapid development of the city. The value of the Freehold, Leasehold, and Stock has been fixed by Messrs Alfred Buck tod and Win. Aitkcn at the sum of £161,358 to 6d. ■ The Directors, after the valuation was fixed, induced the vendors to make the important concession of leaving one-half of the purchauo money scoured upon the property at flvo por font. Being thoroughly satisfied with the projects of the undertaking, the vendors have reserved to themselvos nearly •ne-half of tho shares in the Company upon equal terms with the shares now offered to the public. Further particulars on application to the Solicitors of tho Company, or to JOSEPH BENNETT, Hon. Sec., 16, Queen-street.



CiHKONOGRAPH WATCHES for ojb / talnlng correct time for raolng. Just re " calved Twelve.'ail in good order, regulated, (or Bale by F. H. LE WissON, Watchmaker, Queen street, opposite Union Back, AUCKIiAHD GAS COMPANY (LIMITED), Established 1882. Vurv&yobs of Light, Heat, and Poweb. The' Company sell and erect sraa-flttinga, In eluding rub apparatus o( every description! also Gas-sower engines. Stock includes Otto Gaa Engines. Oflico and Showrooms, Fort-atroor. rpHOKNTON, SMITH AND FIRTH HAVE FOR SALE : ■f-. Drown' Flour, in sacks, 100'S and 50'fl iChampion' „ „ „ „ ■ 'CantaV „ „ '- . Shdjajs - ' . . Brafa Fowl Wheat , M ill, Auckland.' ■ ■-■ -' y - ■■■' Monkeys Die op Consumption. So do lions, and tigers. This is a very important fact as tending to projra that although phthisis is in many instances distinctly hereditary, novorthe lessit may bo, and frequently isacquired. Such ls_ the pathology of the eminent Dr Grares, whose clinical experience and literature ureao cepted as the highest authority. In late times the treatment (or consumptiott and bronchial complaints hfcs become more Bpecifli; and hope ful. Hypophofpliito ot lime & oombined with cod hver oil and quinine; The wonderful eucalyptus ia also used with marked •il'of.t un Dronohial mucous membranes. The combination of th ege remedies ln'Aicldti'BSyriip of Eucalyptus with Hypophoaphite of Lime and Quinine has been the1 undoubted means of. affording per jaanent relief to many sufferers, ARenta-Tci WewZe»landDrug Company: .



Bpeoial AQvertleementa. ORWICH UNION FIKB INSUR ANOE .SOCIETY. KBIABT. IBIIBD 17 87. Amonnt loßored exo -._-,__ -8180.000,000 Oosaospaia ...—._ ~63,781,000 THIB SOCIETY, Well known for a liberality In Its dealings, and for promptitude In the aottlement of claims. is prepared to accept bisks on BYKKX- INSUR ABU! DESCRIPTION OF PROPBBTY, AT GREATLY KKDUCED RATES. LOBBK3 PAID by Cheque on Society 8 Bank ers in Auckland, without rof or obcq«lbo whore, Immediately after production of PROOF OF LO3S. _____ WILLIAM T. J. BELL, CBIEf AGENT, Provincial Dlatriots ol Auckland and 1 ranakl N.8.-All Monies recolvod In New Zealand ara Invested In tho Company. TmXS.S. 'GARONNE. 1 OASB NOVELTIES IN EMBKOIUBKY, In White and Cream Guiparo. Also, White, Cream, and Dark Colours, worked in colours. ONE CASfi NEW TKBRY CLOTH. OB TURKISH TOWKIjLINa tor Dresses, In Whltß, Croam, Pink, Sky, and Drab. ONE OASB KVS'S V^ HL ING, in Street and Kvonlng Bhades, MII.NX and CFOYOE, QUEEN-STREET.



" Bademttntcl, Mit Zusammenden Pantoffeln." OATH Q. OW.N S, WITH SLIPPERS TO MATCII. LADIES' BATH GOWfIS, JUST KEOKIVKD. GENTLEMEN'S BATH GOWNS, JUBT RSCKIVBD. ONE CABE OF BATH GOWNS, JUST KttCKIVKD. ILLIAM DRAPER AND CLOTHIErt, 178, 180, & 182, QUEEN.STREBT, AUCKLAND,



THE Wonderfully in creased demand for our Cblsbbatko Goods, made of NEW ZEALAND T WJffiEim has necessitated the Firm Erecting on Extensive and Costly New Warehouse, to give accommodation to the BXTBA CLOTHING StafE, and to make room for the New Machinery, whioh has been personally selected by Mr. HaUensteln during his recent visit to Knglaad and America, THB FACTORY will now be the Largest Estab lishment of the kind In the Southern Hemisphere, and aa described in the " Otago Dally TlmRB," promises to be a Model Warehouse. The AUCK LAND BRANCH Address Is— 158 AND 160, QUBBN-BTKISKT. TbechOloe variety of NEW" GOODS now Bhowing haa nothing to com pare with it in the whale of Q U E E N-S T X E E T, AUCKLAND. J. FITZSIMONB, Branch Manager.



QALSALINE. The Gbeat Food. Prbsebvatiyb. This invaluable Antlsoptia Compound 1b TASTELESS. ODOURLESS, and porfootlr HARMLESS. SACBAIJNK ireepfl Milk. Soup, Beer, and any flald food sweet and .wholesome In any weather. BALBALINE Keeps Meat fresh and sound, ana makes it tender and digest' lble. BAItSALINR Keeps Regs perfectly sweet and untainted for a year or more. BALBALINE Keeps Freßh Butter quite palat able, and free from rancidity In the hottest weather, SAL6ALINE Keeps Elsh fresh and untainted until required for use. BAL3ALINK Keeps lx funts" and Invalids' Food | sweet a»d wholesome, and pro- i ventß flatulence, griping, and diarrhoea. , SEND FOR PAMPHLET. tST See Report by Or Heotor, C.M.Q., F.K.8., •olonlai Laboratory, Wellington, Sold by the prineloal Grooera and Store keepers in Is and 2b paokets. Sole Agents for Auokland— TAINE BROS



A* JjINABURY & Co.'S NBW GOODS! NEW GOODS! NEW GOODB I NEW GOODS 1 WE ABB NOW SHOWING OUR FIRST SHIPMENT OF Spkin'G and Summer DIiESS GOODS, MILLINERY, JACKETS, MANTLES, ULSTERS, &0, WB HAVE TUB LARGEST AND BBSI BBIiffiOIKD BIOOK Off MILLINERY IN MILTJJVEKY MILLINEKY AnCKLAND MILLINERY MILLINERY AUCKLAND« MILLINERY — You aro— -reupootfally— -Invited to visit- t — Oat KBiabHshmont— —boforo making— —your Pur— —obases.— 4t*- DRESSMAKING ON THE PREMISES, COSTUMES MAUB ON TWENTY FOUB HOURB" NOTIOB, A ' ■ | INABURY & rjO., SOI a M QUHKN-STRKUTi THE Largest, Best, and Cheapest Sort Of GOlSj an* SILVKR JBWBXLBRY- Watoheo. Chains, Eleotro-plai., MarWo Clookv, and Sterling BUyer Plate-to bo obiained at F. 1. SwlßßW'a, Quecn-atreen, opposite Union Ban*. ~ .. .^n^g.^..,



O N S A L E, BROAUOABT CLOVER AND SEBD BARROW DRILLS, Bpeclally adapted for sowing broadcast Turnip, Clover, i Rye Grass, and other small seeds, . AMERICAN HOBSE KAKKS, whloh, with ono Man and Horse, will collect ready for oortlng three to four tons of Hsy per hoar. SELF-RELUCTING CHAIN lIARROWS, so well known that description la un necessary. COLONIAL TINK HARROWS, whloh tor strength, cfßolenoy, and simplicity have no rival. CHAffF CUTTKHB. tor hand, horse, or Bteani power. Also, PLOUGHS (Single and Double), SUB SOIIBRS. HORBK HOEB, CULTIVA- O.«a, «c, &0., &0,, manufactured by Thos. Cobbett, Ehrowsbury, England, at prices whloh defy competition. Also, COULTAS'd SEED AND MANURE DRILLS. KEAHSLTSY'S COMBINED ItEAPEU AND AIOWKR. ROBBY & CO.'S STBAM BXGINKS AND THRABHI MACHINES. We J. Hurst a Co., 101, QUEEN-aTRKBT. AnoWand.



The*sale of the GLngrove estate at Ota huliu will no held about the 10th of January. Arrangements may be made for the purchase o£ seotions in tho meantime, on very reasonable terms. Lithographs are out.—T. W. Hickson & Co.-[Advt,]



The Stirlingworth property (Mr Alloy's, Eikutaia) will bo oflerod for sale about January 11th. A rare opportunity to obtain flrst-olass land on reasonablo terms. Tho bulk of this land is rich, dry, alluvial loam, strong wheat growing land, 30 foot above tho level of tho rivor, capable o£ yielding (without artificial aid) up to CO bushels of wheat to the acre, 15 tons of potatoes, or any olher crop in proportion. It is not swamp land, as has been orronoously stated, and nover was, with the exception of a few small patches, easily drained. The opening for various trades is aleo a good one; £100 an aero has been offered for business sites on tho pro perty.—Fullest particulars in another column, or from the agente, T. W. Hiokson & Co.—[Advt.