SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HTGH WATWR}™moSi n wnMornlnß,7.l7 Bt>NaßT.-Thla 6nia'i. sJ.i na kis

ARRIVALS.

list Bvrsrao. Rlrißaroonw, s s.. Edle, from Sydney

DEPARTURES. lABT EVESINO. Southern Crow, B.B.,Berneßh. for the South Arayle, OA. Crawford, lor Whangßrei

TO-OAT. »!?kffiSU r «,*»« island Christina ach, Kvenaon, for Russell

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

RnJelfwhangaroa. and MocKontti-WeUlnK- Tau^nS^GlcnVorwilUngton. Monday or Wha?Wß!i llsand Whangarel Heads-Argyle. Tneaday and Friday Mangawai-Finif«l. Thursday Mewnry Bay-Flrgal, Monday

VESSELS EXPECTED.

LONDON. OSmteS^Sarqne (Vf.P.G.3.). sailed, KebS Gtaalora barqna (W.G.P.T.), loidlng. Fob 2t Vanguard. ba«ino,([i.J.B.».>. sailed Marcn S Chill, barque. Ballad March 1

LIVERPOOL.

NBW YORK.

A. T. Btallknecht, barque (L.K.R.0.), sailed S^^'b^'SSSnMJ.G.W.Il). clewed Kaman, barque, from Now York SOUTHERN PORTS. Cutty Sirk. schooner, from Lyttelton; sailed March 2f „ .. Hand* Ills, fchoonor, from Dunedln Bmily, brl«. from Duiedin Defltnoe, brlgantine. from Hun earn Tarmou. brtaantine, frem Danedin Mary King, «chooner. from Lyttelton, sailed Pelican, brigantine, from Lyttelton; sailed. Laurita. eohooner. from Lyttelton; sailed, Aonia, lwtoh, from Lyttelton, sillod 18th

AUSTRALIA. Annabel!, brig, from Byfln«y: loading Kaergy, schooner, from Newoastle, loading

SOUTH SKA ISLANDS. Ryno, brlgantine, from Rose Island Sovereign, twhooner, from Tahiti Edith, schooner, from Suva Pearl, katch. from Karotonga Agnci Donald, achooner, from Karotonga Winifred, sohooner, from Tavlonl

IMPORTS.

Per s-a. Albion-250 boxea petrollne candles, 60 haif-ohesta tea.—o. W. Binney.

Per Rlngarooma, from Hydney-120 case; brandy. 25 oases rum. 140 Jiwea cornffour, 13 baga riveta, 43 ingots tin, 320 mats and 27 trannloa augar. 808 mats boDedust. 160 baga r'ce Jfl bondlea rattan», 25eaaaafruit, 25 platea iron, 28 marble slabs. 9 boiler tubes, 199 paolugeg lindriei.

Per Albion from Melbourne—l 39 halfchesta and 190 boxes tea, 14 caaes tobacco, 40 baga rice It cases tapioca, 21 cases aa«o, 20 boren valenolas, 10 boxaa elemos, 5 bosea sultanas. 10 oiaki currants, 4 qr-caaka wine, 300 package* •ad 1300 nuta rmirar; 30 packages sundnaa from Dunedin — lohhda and 15br!s. ale, 157 ouoa. 27qr-catka. 2 jars whisky. 1"5 oolU rope, 80 oases jam. 7 casea dtases, 50 sacks flour. From Lyttoltoa-20 sack! gnm seed. From Welling ton—37 casea meata. 2->0 boxea candles. 300 sacks barter, 10 coils wire, 30 pieces timber.

Uwabds Coastwise.—TamaW Packet from Taoracga. with 30 tons firewood; Onward, from Coromandel, in ballast.. The »». Albion leaves for Sydney about 6 O'clock tkli evening.

H.1f.8. Emerald leaves Wellington for K»g land to-morrow. The schooner Laurita left Lyttelton for this port yesterday. The s.B. Rinfjarooma arrived from Sydney via Knasoll at 11.30 p.m. yesterday. Her paa ■ongflr list appeared in our 1- at issue.

Thashlp Haldone and the barque Reming ton have been berthed, tbe former on the inner and the latter on the outer aid a of the north woateni T of Queen-street wharf.

Tho serew-Bteamer Cotocaxi, belonging to the Orient Line of Australian mail steamers, has been fitted with Swan lamps. There are alto aetfcir 50 lamps. Thia ia the first ve«sei in which »uch lansDS havo bean placed In the cabins. Travellers will be only too glad to get rWof the oiUainpsf'om the cabins, where, bI tbe belt of times, tbe ventilation is none too good. The 8* Southern Cnwa left for the South at 8.33 p.m. yesterday. Passenger for Lytt^lton: Ifrfianhall.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

The iteamnn Lalla Kookh and MacgreKor laft Wiitaralatf night and would arrive some time thia afternoon. •• he Macijreeor Is an nounced to leave at 3 p.m. to-morrow for Waitira, and the Lulls, Kookh proceeds to Ilsßlan to-morrow afternoon.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Whakoarxi, this day, Sailed: Arfrjl», a.a., for Auckland. H j:r.K wiviLLE, thia day. Kati-ara HBADS-Loaded: sarahJPlle. T* KorxmV— Loading: Vlaion, Wave, Jane And'jnon. Bast ]U>thlan. AR4TAPC — Loading: Aratapo, scaooner, Byinn, Albert the Qood.

fcOTMraCHAOT SHIPPING AroUNDKRWBITERS' ASSOCIATION.)

London, May 1. Arrived! The Bhip Taranaki, from Port Chalmers, In February.

COMMERCIAL.

EvKNisa Star Office, Wednesday. Messrs B. Tonka and Co. held a property sale to-day at their mart Five acrea of land at Whansrunarlno, Mercer, brought £o 10a; pur chaser? Mr Fenton. The hotel site, with froot •aei to Kden Crescent and Short-street, kno»n •a *Ha Royal, and adjacent cottages, the prc pertr of the Htm H. Chamberlain, was with drawn. Tbe bids commenced at £1,000, and rsaohed £1,900, considerably less (ban the re- Carbines* and Taylor held a produce and provision sale to day, which was larncly attended. A fair amount ot business was done ■t reanonaUe prices.

Mail Notice.

Ultra miE CIOB* AS UZTOD.- 1

For Ruseell, Kawaiawa,' and Australian For Thames, per Enterprise, at fca) P Jn, Thursday, ith instant Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 8 a.m. For Giaborne. Napier, Southern Forts, Aus tralian Colonies, and United Kingdom, via Suez and Brindisi, for letters, specially bo prepaid and addressed, at 9 a.m. For newspapers, at 8 a.m. For registered letters, the previous evening, at I o'clock. For Waltara. per Macaregor, at" »; m- ■ For Walwera, Te Kapa, Craigieburn, ana Warkworth, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Thames, per Rptomahana. at p.m. For Tauranga. Ohinemutu. and OpotiKl, per FoTMSvaflnrkaiwaka, per Fin g al.at 5 p.m.

Friday, sth instant. For Whangarei Head* Waipu, Parna, Whan (jarei, Tangihua, and Mangapal, por Argyle, at i p.m.

A nost-offlco has been opened at Walpuna Wwgaroa Harbour. Mills will be closed every Monaay. at 1.30 p.m. Return maUa will be received every Satnrday, at 8 a.m. N.8.-Gamo Ucensea (to kill or sell) may be, obtained at this office. S; B. 8133, Chief Postmaster. Chief Poet-offloe. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc

MAY 3,1882. Theatre Royal-Grand Gladiatorial and Dra matlc Entertainment, 8 p.m. Northcote Wosleyan Church-Soiree, 6 prm. ExcolalorLodue of N.Z.O. Good Templars- Tea and entertainment, 6.30 p.m.

Birth.

ALEXANDKR.-On April 28th, at Bherborne, Mount Albert, the wife of John M. Alexander of a daughter.

Marriage.

EVANS-WAITK.-On the Ist May, at the roeidenco of the bride, Albert-street, by the Rev, K. F. Macnicol, Thomas Evana to Sarah Walte.

Death.

GOKMAN.-On the 2nd May. at North Bkore, Fannie Mathelene, youngest daughter ot Patrick Gorman, aged 7 jeara and S montha. Frlenda are respectfully invited to atund the funeral to-morrow (Thursday), at 2.30, from Qneon-street wharf. WHITB.-A» Napier, on 3rd May, ISS2, Henry Martin, sixth son of ttta laSe T. A. White, of AnckUnd, in the 25th year of his age.

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

WEDNESDAY MAY 3,1882.

For the cause that lacks assistance. For the wrong that needs resisUnca For the future in the diitan«e, And the ftoodjthat we can do.

Conjugal New Zealand.

Mabbiaok and married life, like lote and loTere1 talk, are fruitful topics for mirth making, and the first temptation, on taking up the return of the conjugal statistics of New Zealand i* to treat the subject in humorous fashion, and re-furbish up the ancient and respectable jokes about bache lors md old maids, to give interest to the dry columns of figures presented. In truth, there is no Deed to resort to such methods to make the subject entertaining, and it has sufficient public importance to warrant its serious treatment. The census of 1881 shows that there still exists considerable disproportion between the sexts in New Zealand, there being, among the European population, 44,291 more males th»n females. The importance of such a state of things in connection with conjugal relations ia admitted, and it ia intensified by the fact that this disproportion is most apparent among adults. Of the juvenile popula tion (including all under 15 years) the males only exceed tho females by 1,812 or scarcely 2 per cent, of the whole num. ber; while at marriageable ages the excess of males ia 20 per cent, over females. This fact, viz., that there are 120 males for every 100 females of marriageable age in tho colony.must be kept in mind in considering the other results brought out by the statistics. The marriageable age is assumed to be 15 years and upwards, and that this is a fair limit i« proved by tho fact that six females under that age are returned as married, while there are 27 married men and one widower under 20 years of age. Of marriageable men, only 4599 per cent, are married, while the proportion oi married females is 62*10 per cent.; but such a low mean rate of married men must be consider ably modified by the great disproportion in the numbers of the respective sexes, That women marry at a much earlier age than men is amply proved by these returns; and on physiological wounds this ia a matter deserving some notice. The fact that 1,233 of the mothers of this colony are nnder 20 years of age is significant, when the effects-of the neces sarily imperfect development of many of these on the future generation arc con sidered. Still, tbe number marrying so young is only about 5 per cent of the females between 15 and 20, and if this pro portion h not exceeded not much harm can result. At age 25, when only about 10 per cent, of the males marry, no fewer than 46 per cent, of females enter the bonds of matrimony; and as the sexts at that age are pretty evenly balanced, thi3 is a fair criterion of the number of the relative sexes who marry yountr. At from 35 to 40 years of age only 567 per cent, of the females are unmarried, while 3136 per cent, of men of these ages are living in "single blesnednegs." A humorous ob server has remarked that women XL, at 40 years of age, and this is, in fact,what may be called their maximum marrying age in New Zealand. This is shown more forcibly by the fact that the total nnmbsr of unmarried women over 40 years ot age in the colony h only 1,338, or about one per cent, of the marriageable females. Men,on the other hand, do not reach the highest marryirjg point till between 55 and 60 years of age, when 69 77 per cent, are married. That very few women get married over the age of 40 h testified by the fact that tho percentage of spinsters after that age to the close of life shews little variation. At 80 years and upwards, 4*20 per cent, ot females are still unmarried, while 7748 per cent, are widows. The per centage of widowers to tbe marriageable men is 3*12 per cent., while that of widows to marriageable women is 623—a dispropor tion partly accounted for by the greater liability of the male sex to death by violeice, and partly by the fact that widowers more frequently re-many than widows.

The effect of marriage on longevity is a question in which many people take an interest, and which usually receives attention from statisticians. On this piint the New Zealand returns suggest some reflections. The first thing noticeable ot highly-advanced ages is tbe large proportion which widows and widowers bear to the married people. At the nge of 80 and upwards there are 161 widowers and 203 widows, against 126 husbands and 46 wives, being just twice more of widowed than of married people. This state of matters, which would seem to indicate a greater tenacity of Ufa in bereaved people than ia married couples, is probably only the result of the operation of a law, well known to actuaries, and upon which they calculate insurances on joint lives. By this law, the "chances" of life of two given individuals are ascertained, and sa such "chances" are adverse to the con tinuance together of" two lives to the average period of one life, the result is to swell the number ot widows and widowers at advanced ages. The propor tions of bachelors and spinsters to the total number of persona of 80 years and upwards are :— Bachelors 10.59 per cent., and spin sters 4-20 percent. These figure?, when compared with the progressive percentages at different ages, seem to prove that mar riage does not conduce to longevity. The percentage of spinsters of 80 years and up wards is greater than at any age over CO years, and is only a fraction over the per centage at aces 40 to 45. The latter being an age after which very few unmarried women receive offers of marriage, the conclusion is irresistible that "old maids" live longer than matrons. With regard to the sterner sex, the same would seem to be true, since the proportion of bachelors living at the age of 80 and up wards is one per cent, more than at ages 75 to 80. The fact that there are only 18:32

per cent, of tha women over 80 married againit 39*25 per cent, of the men, woul a tem also to point to an early mortality among married women, confiiming the con clusion arrived at regarding the comparative ly grtater ltigevity of spinsters. To teit this j in a way not done in the table before us, if we take the total numbers of each sex | living ov~: 55 years of age, we find them to be :-Males, 12,544; females 8,433. Comparing this with agea 15 to 20, we hnd that there are at these ages rather more females than males liviDg, while when the age of 55 is reached there are about one-half more Males than females living. We can scarcely imagine that this alarming dis parity is altogether dne to the greater mor tality among women, but is caused by the preponderance of males in the colony from its foundation, which will, for many years to come make itself known in the statistics of males of advanced years Bat, applying another test, we find that over 55 yeara of age the married men living; number 8,317, against 4,938 married women. This may be held to prove nothing more than that nearly one half of the married men have wives youncer than themselves ; but, making every allowance for this fact, and the consequencea of the long continued disproportion of the sexes already referred to, we fear theie results, taken in conjunction with those previously arrived at, clearly show that the tenure of female existence in New Zealand is shorter than that of males, and that this is esp«cially the case with women burdened with family toils and cares. Another explanation of this apparent great female mortality is t« be found in the influx by immigration of a much larger proportion of healthy middle aged males than of females. This is proved to happen by a comparison of the relative number of the sexes at different perisds of age. While the totals of males and females over 15 years cf a«e are pretty nearly equal, it is found that at ages 20 to 23 the females are only four-fifths of the males, and at 40 t» 45 years of age this disproportion is in creased to four-sevenths, or actually little more than one-halt the number of females to miles. At 80 years and upwards, the proportion of females to males living, returns again to four-fifths. The mean proportion of females to males of all a^e* is five-sixths, so it will be observed that the proportion at extreme old ages is but a little leaa than the mean rate. A rather curious discrepancy in the res pectiva numbers of husbands and wives is shown in the return now before us, which can scarcely be the result of error, and which, standing unexplained, offers a wide field for speculative enquiry. The numbor of husbands of all ages is given as 73.2G1, while the wives ooly number 72.504, which brings ont a balance of 457 more husbands than wives. The manifest absurdity of there being 457 husbands without wive* is at once apparent; and the mind, seeking for an explanation of the contradictory figure!", at once reverts to Uie painful alternatives of separation, deser tion, or divorco, to reconcile the figures. But this again leads to a reductio ad absurdum, since the numbers should be equally balanced. The numbers of those who do not specify their conjugal condition rather increases than helps the I difficulty, since thera are 444 males asjainst only 35 females who do net state whether they ara single, married, or widowed. The diecrepancy would he explained if wo sup posed there had been falie returns made by wives living apart from their husbands re turning themselves as unmarried ; but that this should have been the case to the «xtent required teems scarcely credible. The colony's reputation for the happiness «f the conjugal relations Is none of the best; and it would be well, in future enumerations of the people, to obtain statistics of the separated, divorced and deserted husbands and wives, so that the position of the colony in this respect may be ascertained with sou.c accuracy. It, as seems probable, the overplus of husbands over wires repre sents the number of Europeans who have married Maori women, a simple note would have made this apparent; and wa hope that the Registrar-General, when issuing re turns in a fragmentary form, will in future avoid leaving such an important point as this unexplainod.

The Wiaton settlers are urging tho Gov ernment to proceed with the construction of ihe railway from Winton to the Night caps (Otago),

Some twenty labourers on the rcclama tion contract for the Duuedin railway sta> tion site arc now on strike for 7» a-day, They have been offered 6s.

The licensing district of Oreti has. on the casting vote of the presiding oiticer, decided for publicans' licenses in all the forms. The ratepayers decided af-aiust tlie issue of new licenses.

An inquest was held at Masterton yes terday on the charred remaina of Mromiili, wife, and their two children. Tho jury returned nn open verdict.

Weleara that Mr K. Stout, of Dunedin, has been retained by Wi Parata to defend Te Whiti and Tohn, the Mq,ori State priso ners, oq the occasion of the forthcoming trial. Mr Stout In expected to arrive on .Sunday next.

At tho Dunedin Police Court, yesterday, a married woman named Eliza White was charged with the tbeft ot £16 worth ot jewellery irom a private house. In the day time she went to the house, the doo r of which waa opeD, wajked in, and coolly helped herself to the trinket*.

Mr Peter Keid, manager of the Success mine, Coromandel, reports that some good prospects of loose gold and about two tons of crushing stuff have been obtained from No. 1 level, the distance down being about 40ft. The ground has slightly chauged for the better in the low level, and two stringers were cut on Monday lost. The ground is more promising.

The handsome new church built by tho Ponaonby Wesleyans was opened last even ing with a soiree and concert, at which there waa a remarkably large attendance. Kather more than £2000 has been spent in the erection and completion of the structure, which will form one of the ckicf architec tural ornaments of the western suburb. About £1000 has already been subscribed, so that the remainder will remain at pre sent as a debt on the congregation.

The manager of the New North Devon mine reports that since Monday last the reef in 160 ft. level has been shut down a distance of Bft. It still contiuues a larpe string reef, sft. of which, on hanging wall side, is composed of very dark, heavy minerals, intermixed with quartz, while on tbe footwali there are 3ft. of quartz inter mixed with mullock, making tbe reef Sft. wide, with a well-defined hanging wall, and no appearance whatever, aa yet, of any break or slide likely to disturb it.

About tbe middle of last month a terrific report, which seemed to come from some enormous cannon, was heard in various parts of Stew. :'« Island, and as no vessel was in eight, tbe only solutiou of tbe mystery appears to ba that some violent eruption bad taken place in the interior of the Island. It is now suggested that the explosion was caused by the brilliant and large meteorite, which passed over Inver cargill on the 17th ult., coming ia contact either with the land on Stewart's Island or the water in its vicinity.

I According to a report received by the directors of the Moanatniari G,M. Co. yesterday, driving and stoping is being carried on throughout the company's present workings, Small parcels of picked stone come to hand occasionally. The quantity of general stuff crushed has fallen off this month, the reason being that more quartz than usual has been too poor to save. The manager judging from present indications thinks an improvement will soon take place. Eighty-one tons of general stuff and 1301bs. picked stone have been treated for tho return of 940z3, retorted gold. The following quotations for kauri gum are given in the Loan and Mercantile Agency circular issued in London on March 23rd :—At the public auction held on the Kith inst, only limited ->ales were made, chiefly of well-scraped 'lots, for which the .demand continues good. Low, earthy, and halt-scraped descriptions are comparatively neglected. The market generally is with out change. We quote :—Pale transparent, 107s 6d to 200a per cwt.; clean, hard scraped, 67s fid to 100s per cwt.; fair to good sorts, 35s to G6s per cwt. ; picking?, 20s to 39s per cwt. ; sittings and chips, 10s to 50s per cwt. Tho poll of tbe burgesses of Parnell on the drainage and water question closed at six o'clock last evening, and shortly be fore seven His Worship tho Mayor (K. Walker, Esq.) appeared at the door attended by the Town Clerk (Mr Keynolds) and tho Returning Officer, and read the sections from the Municipal Corporations Act bear ing on the majority requisite to carry tbe measurc3,andtbema'iner of declaring thepoil. Haying mentioned that the number of boua fide ratepayers was 390, he declared the re sult of the poll to be :—ln favour of water supply, 244; against, 123; majority in favour, 121. In favour of drainage, 222; against, 129; majority in favour, 33. His Worship, amidst much applause and some dissent, declared both measures adopted. The majority is r. large one—much larger than was anticipated by the most san gnine,

We beg to acknowledge the receipt, from Messrs Hallenstein and Co., of donations of 10s each for Mrs Ellisdon and Mrs Mc- Langhlin, whose cases are just now before the charitable public.

On Saturday, the 29th ult., telephonic communication was established between Messrs Schriider and Co.'a store, Tiki Goldh'eld, and tho (Joromandel Telegraph Office.

At the termination of the Albion's last outward trip, Captain Webster was pre sented by the passengers, officers of the vessel, and crew with a handsome tea and coli'ee service, accompanied with a flatter ing address.

The Harbour Board has resolved to invite William Swanson, Esq., M.H.E., to intro duce tbe Auckland Harbour Board Empower ing Bill, 1882, at next session of Parliament, and to forward a circular letter with linancial statement to all members of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives.

The following tenders have been received by the Harbour Board for the construction of two silt punts : Sirna and Drown, £3GG; Hewson and Melville, £475 ; T. Thwaites, £475 10s ;D. Gouk, informal; W. M. Ellis, informal. The estimate of the en gineer was £100, and the tender of Messrs Si ns and tirown was therefore accepted.

It we are to believe a correspondent the prolits ramie by school teacnerafrom the sale of school-books and schooljrequistes of the scholars can by no means be classed as " inconaidered tritles." Country peda gogues make from £10 upwards annually by tho "bu-iness," and in the large city schools the masters do not consider £50 an out-of-the-way profit on the year's specula tion. The evil that Mr Liiahley has taken upon himself to remedy is certainly a cryius one.

Professor Cailliau commenced another elementary pinging class in the Christian Meeting House, Cook-street, last evening. There was a large attendance, and over 50 persoue declared their intention of joining the class. A short lecture on " Mu«ic ami Singing " was delivered by Mr G. E. Boyle, after which the first lesson of the quarter was Lone through in a very satisfactory manner.

The "Bible Standard" of tbe present month treats its readers to a cluster of interesting readings, such as the "Modern Jonah" (in the form of a story), " .Believing VVithout Evidence" (L. W, Hastings), n discourse by Mr Cook, a few thought* ou "Depravity of Children," and eeveral lighter pieces, extracts, etc. The little sketch, "Sold Cheap," contains a number of laconic truths neatly strung together, and without being cynical, represents a want of the age. " Method in Bible Heading " is a study for sceptics.

At the Theatre Koyal last evening, the drama " A Life's Kevenge " was repeatod, after which some wrestling, sparring, and hcaxy dumb-bell pcrforruiKces were skil iully executed by Mr James Mace, Pro fessor Miller, and Mons. Tictor, while Mr Fred Edmonds, the lightning caricaturist, produced several well-known characters on canvas while before the audience. a feature of the entertainment was some amateur lioxiug by four young men, who were desirous of practising for the contest which takes place to-night. Their fortunes and misfortunes caused great amusement. To-"i<>ht several handsome trophies are promised by Mr James Mace and Professor Stiller, to be contested for in boxing and wrestling.

Ou the subject of U'Bricn's late match acain9t time, a Thames correspondent writes as follows -.—Now that O'Brien hus failed in his task, and no harm will be done to his "show," I would wish to put you ri^ht as regards the " world's " record for 12 hours go-an-you-plcase. lioth STAR an<l " Observer" make the same statement, viz., that Kowell's best v 74 miles some odd laps. I find by the New York " Clipper " of March 19th, 1881, in a 6dayn' match he covered 86* miles 1,320 yards in tbe first 12 hours, alno making the best American record from 2 to 29 hour.*, both inclusive, and the best record in the world for 9, 10, 11, aud 25 hours. You will obligo by placing this ou y«ur record, so that those who take any interest in it may read. O'Brien is a good man, but not altogether the wonder xomc would have him. —I am, &C.| PALMAM QUI MERUIT FKBAT.

The grand concert projected and framed I y musical friends in aid of the widcy and children of the late Charles Leo will be given to-morrow evening in the Newton Kirk, or Atheoium, as it is vow christened. The whole will be under the able manage ment of XI r Kyan. Tho programme is of the first order, and the selections aud ballads very attractive, as will bo seen by advertisement. The Artillery Band, under Mr Hunter, have kindly tendered musical service. The ladiea who will come forward in favour of the widow and her family are : Mrs Kevitt, Mrs Goodi«on, and Misses Peace, Samson, and Freeman ; also, on the masculine side, Messrs lthodea, Kyan, Barnett, Aberuetby, Kooney, Peace, Sharp, and Francis. We hope, for the sake of the " cause that lacks assistance," that tbe evening will be fair and the house full t« the daora.

Mr Wm. Stevenson, Ooehunga, relates the following curious incident:—On tbo morning of the 21st ult., when pasting through a yard containiug some fowls, 1 heard a squeaking sound, and Baw n hen with something in her bill which sho soon put down, when this something ran away. 1 then saw it was a mouse. The hen fol lowed up, caught it, gave it a shake, and dropped it again. The mouse ran away as before, and got under a box this time. The hen appeared yuit.e bewildered, walked round the box, ttrelclied its neck, and looked in it. I then came to her assistance, the hen standing by ju«t as a terrier would. Oa tilting the box up the monsa ran out, but was soon caught by the ben, shaken, dropped, and allowed to run a bit, again caHKht, pecked at, &c, which wai repeated till mousey appeared dead, the ben stand inn looking at it. Presently mousey re covered a Tittle, made a short, feeble run, followed by the hen, which then, by eome^ pecks and shakes, finally killed it, The following quotations from the Loan and Mercantile Agency Circular should prove interesting to Auckland readers: — Cotton. —During the fortnight a good busi ness has been done, and prices generally arc about one-sixteenth per lb. higher. 12d per lb. was given for a consienment of reddish colour, irregular in staple, 15.Jd per lb. tor good, and 6Jd to BJd per lb. for stained parcels. Tahiti descriptions realised 9Jd to lOd per lb. for joughest staple. Copra.—Supplies being still scarce the market has further improved to £16 and £16 5s for sun-dried Sydney of »ood quality. Any parcels of kiln-dried arriving at present would probably fir.d buyers at £14 5s and £1410s per ton. New Zealand Hemp.—Sales have been effected at steady rates, but there is still difficulty ia placing any but well-cleaned parcels, for which £28 per tan was, in one iiutan.ee, secured. Good hemp, slightly mixed with straw, is offered at £26 per ton.

Cleaning up and retorting in connection with the Thames Golden Crown mine took place on Monday last for a yield of 2280z5. melted gold for four weeks' run of the bittery on quartz from all parts of the mine. The manager reports, under date March 2od, that the drive at 170 ft. level has, during tho past week, met several»quattz stringers and small veins crosaing the drive at right angles to tbe leader. Two or three email veins have shown a little gold, but they are running through hard country. Brownlee's leader averages from 4 to 6 inches in thickness, and a little gold is frequently seen in breaking down. The cross-cut to Cure section has been completed a distance of 161f*i,and driving will be cornmencid on both sides of the cross-cut aloug the reef in, a few days. The leader is not looking to well as hitherto, although colours of gold are frequently seen. A good supply of payable quartz is still coming from the stopes on No, 1 and 2 reefs, and likewise from the footwali leader stopes at 40ft. level.

Some considerable discussion took place at the meeting of the Harbour Board yes terday on the recommendation of the Works Commit'oe that the consideration of the Dovonport wharf removal be deferred until the question of suburban wharves be brought before the whole Board. A pro test against the abandonment of the whari ; was received from the Chairman of the District Board, and the communica tion expressed ihe willingness of tho mem bers to wait upon the Harbour Board in reference to the subject. Mr Mays moved that the clause be struck out, and in answer to several members, who said no abandonment sf the wharf was contemplated, pointed out that the En gineer had suggested its removal. He wanted the people of Devonport to be assured that there was no intention to re move the pier. Some further discussion took place, when it was agreed, on the motion of Mr Masefield, that the Devonport deputation be received &t the next meet ing. Several amendments by Mr Mays, arid a notice of motion requesting the mem bers of the Bemuera and Ponaonby Boards and Parnell Borough Council to meet the Harbour Board, were ruled out of order. The report of the Works Committee was theu agreed to.

Some time ago wo mentioned that an Auckland constable had been bequeathed a nice fat legacy. Another guardian of the peace stationed here has been similarly lucky, the English mail having brought him the welcome intelligence that through the death of a cousin he is the possessor of an eatate in Ireland said to be worth £2,000 a year.

We have been informed that the recent bazaar held in aid of the fund for clearing off the heavy debt on the Congregational Church, Thames, has been so successful that the present liability of the church is about £10.

The Rev. Richard Laishley, of the Thames, father of Mr Laishley of this city, purposes taking a trip to the old country ihortly. The rev. gentbman has for many, years been a Congregational minister in thia Drovincial district. A highly successful concert and_ enter tainment in aid of a fund for repairing the Parnell Presbyterian Sunday School took place last evening at the Parnell Hall. Mr Thomas Macftarlane presided. Songs were rendered by Misses Sampson, Tait, Hannah, Cuthbertson, Smith, and by the children attending the Sunday-school, and recitations were contributed by several gentlemen. Not the least amusing item in the programme'was a story given oy the chairman, illustrating the proverbial rough ness of the course 01 true love. A short comedy entitled "The Wife's Estate" went very smoothly. At the conclusion, the chairman said as the takings of the concert would not cover the cost of the repairs, he would be prepared to subsidise, by an equal amount, the result of a collec tion made as the audience left the building. The collection was made, and in thin way a considerable sum wan raised.

la connection with a paragraph in lust evening's isaue relative to the promotion of twelve of the constables of thia diatrict to a superior grade—viz., six 2ad class constables to Ist cla9s, aod six 3rd class constables to 2ud class —we omitted to state that these promotions have of course been made on the express recommendation of Superinten dent Thomson, the officer in charge of the Auckland Police District.

Parnell friends are reminded that to morrow (Thursday) evening, the fruit soiree in connection with the Wesleyan Sunday-school will come off. This will be a literary and musical entertainment of a rery enjoyable character, and ought to attract a large audience ; the price of admiH sioii is only one shilling each. Chair will be taken by Kichard Arthur, Esq., and ad dresses will be given by Revs, Reid, Monro, Watkin, and other friooda.

Through private letters received by the Riugarooma we are glad to learn that the health of Mr K. J. de Lias is improving, and that sanguine hopes are now enter tained of his recovery. Ho is residing at Sydney, ami is under the medical care of Dr. Sydney Jones, whose reputation is rapidly extending throughout the Colonies. According to the Sydney "News," Mr de Lias has an interest in the New Zealand tour of " The World" and New Babylon."

Albert T. Potter, butcher, Parnell, has fited a statement of insolvency, and a meet ing of his creditors will be held on Wed nesday next.

The anniversary soiree of the Northcote Wesleyan congregation takes place this evening. A capital programme has been prepared,and all possible means taken to ensure ttie entertainment of the audience. Steamers leave for Birkenbead Wharf at kequent intervals np till six o'clock,

A meeting of creditors in the estate of Reuben Nichols was held to-tl:iy at the ollice of the trustee, and no opposition being offered, the debtor was granted his discharge. The report showed that tlu bankruptcy was not the fault of Mr Nichols, and that he was not to blame.

In the death of Mr J. B. Dungan, editor and proprietor of the "Manawatu Times," which took place yesterday, New Zealand lus lost n clever 'journalist and vigorous writer. He was an Irishman, and had a fair share of the wit and power of language which are esteemed amoDg the natural endowments of l( the sons of the ould tod." Commencing life in the oolonics as a practical printer, be soon proved his fitness far literary labour, and was employed by sir Chaa. u»van unify to start and conduct a paper at Sandhurst, Victoria, In OUgo be acted as editor of the " Thblet" and Uamaiu " Mail" successive ly, and for the last fo w yearn be has been at Manawatu. An incisive satire which be wrote on Varley, the evangelist, about the end of 1878, attracted considerable notice at that time, and went the rounds of the press.

The question of granting an extension of time to Messrs Hunt and White, contrac tors* for the Dock Reclamation, was dig. cus.«ed at some length at the Harbour Board yesterday. Several of the members were in favour of granting the week's ex tension applied for, and deciding that do lines should be levied, it having been pointed out that the wet weather bod con siderably retarded the progress of the work. This course was objected to by M r Thompson, who pointed oat that the ques tion should be decided after the contract had been completed, and while be would have no objection to voting for the remis sion of fines at the next meeting, he would certainly oppose a resolution committing the Board at the present time. It was eventually agreed that the contractor should be requested to proceed with his contract, and informed that the question of over-time would be considered at the next meeting.

An interesting enrio has) been shown us, in the shape of a broom made entirely out of a piece ct kauri. The head of the broom consists of a regular mop of shavings of uniform size and thickne«i>. which were sliced off the wood with an ordinary knife. Mr Chas. Norman, of the Huia, was the artificer of the article, and ho brought it to town as a capital illus tration of the adaptability of kauii for ready construction into purposes for which very few classes of timber are useful. The broom may be seen at Mr Hazard's, the gunsmith. We arc sorry to observe by our obituary columns the death of Mr H. Martin White, solicitor, &c, Napier, at the early age of twenty-five. Mr White was for some time with Mr W. Thorne,of this city, with whom ho served his articles. He was also for some time with Mr Reesj of Napier, and started business for himself about two years ago. About a month ago, while out walking, ko felt a severe pain in his side, which turned to inflammation of the lungp. Last week hopes wore entertained of his recovery, but a sudden change set in on Sunday night and ho succumbed to tho diaease this mornintr at 5.30.

On Monday last a winze was started on the No. 1 reef of the Old Caledonian mine and some nice dabs of gold were seen. The roof ia about 2ft. in thickness where sink ing commenced. Xhc cross-cut ia now in 18ft. from No. 1 reef in good sandstone country, and has como on No. 2 reef, which appears to be very large, some nice looking mineral shewing on the surface. The drive at top of Captain Richards's rise shews an improvement, about 18 inches of the hang ing-wall being heavily charged with good minerals, with large dabs of coppor. The country is good sandstone, full of black mineral veins.

The Sir Henry Haveiock Lodge, New Zealand Order of Good Templar?, receivpd a fraternal visit, last evening, from the sister lodge Pride of Mannkau, Onehunga, Two omnibusses were engaged to convey tbeviiitors, numbering upwards of thirty, to town ; and there was a very large mus ter of the members of the city lodges, the hall being crowded. Ample refreshments were provided, and a most enjoyable evening was spen', A number of excellent songs were capitally Ming, insluding a quartette by four seamen from the ship Fareora. Among the recita tions was " Mary Queen of Scots," and another by a young lady from Remuera, in which she displayed considerable pro* ficiency in elocutionary power and taste. The entertainment concluded at 10 o'clock, when the visitors departed amidst the cbecrs of their friends.

Tq the Editor : Sir,—At the meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday [the usual report of the Works Committee was brought up for adoption. One clause i recommended that "the consideration of the Engineer's suggestion to remove the Devonport wharf be deforred." When this clause was put I moved as an amend ment that the words'"be deferred" he struck out and the words "be not acted upon" inserted instead. The chairman ruled it out of order and refused to put it, I then tried to get the same words inserted as an additional clause to the report but was again ruled out of order. Subse quently, when the general question of the maintainance of suburban wharves was brought forward in the supplimentary report of the same committee, I again tried to get in my amendment but with no better success, although the Mayor seconded the motion. Will yon or any of your readers point out wherein I was out of order ? I was under the impression that the report of any committee could be annexed in whole or in part when brought up for adoption so long as the amendments'proposed were relevant which] assuredly mine were. -I am, &c, Oliver Mays.

THE NATIVE MEETING.

AT WHATIWHATIHOE,

[From our Special Reporter.]

THE POSITION OF AFFAIRS.

ALEXANDRA, this day. Nothing was done at the native meeting yesterday. A heavy continuous downpour of rain put an end to whatever pros pect there was before of anything being done at the meeting to-day. Tawhiao ia still out pigeon shooting, and he must have had a bad time of it. Everybody is dis gusted with the delay, not -excepting Paul, Tuhaere, and other visitors.

Hone Werahiko has arrived to press Tawjiiao for the fulfilment of his promise,to permit prospecting. Wahanui has some rich specimens, many of them obtained, it is said, in the vicinity of Rangitoto moun tain.

GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS TO

TAWHIAO.

I gather that Sir George Grey's offer to Tawhiao was not handsomer than those which had been made repeatedly by Sir Donald McLean, who, besides propounding a scheme for making Tawhiao a kind of prince over the territory between Alexan dra and Mokau, had placed before him a pile of bank notes a foot high. Tawhiao took only live notes from the top, and told Sir Donald McLean to put the rest away for him. Rumour says he believes this money is out at interest for him now, and that he means to try and recover it. Another story runs that this was not Government money, but money left by Potatau. Tawhiao was told years ago by an intimate pakeha friend that every year big chances;ot making good terms grew less —that each year's delay me^t the loss to him of several thousand acr/j >f land. He replied that he knew that, t ttt 1 is surround ings rendered it impossible .< act other wise. He had several counsellors, and by the time he had converted one half to his way of thinking, the first person converted had gone back to hid old way or thinking, and he had to begin all over again. Tawhiao stated at the meeting three yeais ago, that in three years he would" be walk ing over the graves of his ance»torß, apri« diction which was realised in his visit to W.iikato. This lends colour to the suppo sition that he is working out a plaa of his own. He is a very cunning man, and knows exactly how tar he can go. Except as a means to advance such a plan, the formation of the settlement at Whatiwhati hoe is unaccountable, the place being less adapted for a native village than Kopua, and too accessible to rum and land specu lators to be conducive to the maintenance of the integrity of the King movement THfc LIQUOR PROHIBITION UN POPULAR. The enforcement of the prohibitory liquor law has materially diminished the number of natives in the vicinity of the hotels in Aiexacdra. The natives are intensely dis gusted, and some of the chiefs who were favourable to the prohibition were clamorous last Light for drink, beseiging Mr Bath for special orders, which he firmly refused to grant. One chief from the Thames de clared that the Hon. Mr Bryce gave them three bottles of grog himself at the Upper Thames before tney would hold any korero with him.

FECUNDITY OF HALF-CASTES,

Several half-castes here, wh» arc married to half-castes, have very large families, notwithstanding scientific theories to the contrary.

A QUEER APOSTLE.

A. mysterious European arrived at Whatiwhatihoe on Monday, with a large musical horn slung across his shoulder, and though Tawhiao had invited all the butchers and bakers of Auckland, he baj some difficulty in providing accommodation for this single individua^who responded to his summons. He was placed in the big runanga house with the Kaipara natives, where, being without a blanket, he had to lie all night shivering on the cold ground. He an nounced to Paul and hid people that he was come to reveal to them that they be longed to the lost tribe) ot Israel, and he exponnded to them the tenth chapter of Isaiah, quoting also the Psalms in proof that they were the Morians tpoken of by the inspired Psalmist. He said that this meeting was not the work of Tawhiao, but of God, and that in three days, he (the apostle) would blow the horn he had with him, and all natives would go home rejoic ing. Meanwhile he produced Moody and Bankey'a hymn book, and proceeded to sing with a Jew's harp accompaniment. Proceeding through the settlement, he announced the glad tidings to all the natives, but being unable to speak a word of Maori, they regarded his movements with some amazement and amusement. Last night he succumbed to the wet, the cold, and the eels and potatoes, which fore the only fare in the valley, and came in to Finch's hotel for a good r quare meal, de claring that he would recommence his mission when the conditions proved more favourable, A NOCTURNAL INTRUDEB, Last night a drunken Maori chief, while making his way rouud to Morgan's home ucroaa the old bridge, mistook the place, and broke in the door of a neighbouring koußß, in which a settler's wife aud children were alone, and greatly alarmed them. The woman called assistance and ejected the intruder. There is no doubt that the occurrence was a pure mistake, but the chief will probably be summoned, and ordered to pay for the damage done.

BARQUE ASHORE AT TIMARU.

• (BY TEMCGRAFH.— PKBS3 ASSOCIATION.)

WELLINGTON, this day.. Through error by tho Telegraph Depart ment last night, the following telegram from Timaru was detained in Christchurch until this morning :— May 2nd. The barque Duke of Sutherland, lying in the roadstead, struck ground this even ing and filled with water. She is still afloat, but the crew have left her very heavy. The sea is rolling in. She was be ing loaded with grain, and bad over 1,000 sacks of wheat aboard, shipped by the New Zealand Grain Agency Company, and she was expected to sail on Tnursday. The vessel was drawing eighteen feet, and lying in twenty-seven feet. Both barque and cargo were fully insured. The Duke of Sutherland is a wooden vessel of abont 1040 tons, and owned in London. The Har bour Master and Captain Rowlands, with a number of men, are now on board.

POLICE CO URT.-This day.

(Before J. is. Macdonald, Esq., R.M.)

Drunk.—John MoMauas was charged with thin offence. Constable Christie witceseed the man at an unseasonable hour in Queen-street In a wild state of excitement, and arrested ,hia>, This bstng his Beoond offence, prisoner v/a. fined 103.

alligid Stealing. — William Stone, an elderly man, was charged with stealing a Berge jumper and other artiolee on the 21st nit. from ihe Old f eople's ttetnge, tho pioperty of the General Government. Prisoner Bald it was a very hard case, there was no intention nf larceny, ho simply had tha use ol them. Mr Qrahnm. relieving officer, s&id the old man was admitted Into the ißefnge, and while there he was permitted to wear the things, bat he had no right to tike them away, Mr Brock applied to him (Mr Graham) (or a handy man to attend upon a gentleman, an invalid. Ho recommended Stone, knowing him to be fitted (or ench a position : Mr Brook engaged prisoner at £1 per week. The old man accepted the position, bat unhappily gave way to in temperance, so much that be was discharged. and then he wanted to go back to his old qiiartorp.—foma further evidence having been adduced. His Worship thought the oase was cot Btrong enough (or a conviction. Prisoner, who had given np the things, was discharged. Br«ach OP LlCiifSiSQ ACT.—Mlohael Fiynn, landlord oC the Nottingham Castle Hotel, Aher crombio-Btrect, was charged with selling beer to Berne Versfeldt, a foreigner, on Sundar, the 30th ulto, the said Versreldt not being a bema ride traveller. Mr Hesketh [ap peared in defence.—Mr Pardy pnt In tho license and other necessary doouments.— Constableßtet deponed that ho knew the Not t'ngham Castle Hotel in City kobe ; he vitlted Mr Flynn's honse on Sunday last about eight in trie evening. Saw two men in the little room. Mr Flynn was very dosirotia of getting him oni but he wished to see if any drink was about. S»w vertfeldt behind the door, and discovered a kit with two bottles of beer in It. Shortly after Versfeldt left the honse. Mr Flynn did not satisfy him about the beer.—(Jrosa-ex amined (Clerk interpreting!: Mr Flynn did not like to' serve him, and objected to take money; tin landlord took him into a private room and asked him to leave, bnt owing to the heavy rain he wished to stay until the storm was over. The landlord Bald "It is Sunday, and I can't sorvo you." I was only In the hotel two minutes before the constables came In —Theresa Hands, residing in Aberr rombio street, deposed that she sent the Frenohman for the baer. and gave him a Bhllling for himself. - Constable Lamb wont with Constable Klst to the hotel, and saw the kit and bottles of beer in it,—Mr HeskethKaddresaod the Court on thn evidenoe, and contended that there was no tale.—His Worship considered that there was no doubt but that the beer was drawn, and put into bottles for tha purpose of sale, but the police oame in at the moment and prevented further proceedings.-He wonld. however, give defendant the benefit of the donbt, as he nad not the benefit ot a eaJe,-Dfsm]Bßed.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Pkb s.s. Ringabooma.j

The Paramatta Gas Explosion.

At the Paramatta Baptist Chapel at 7 p.m., Oil April 19, a terrific ga» explosion took place. Mr T. Corbett, of Sydney, was ar ranging his apparatus to give a magic lantern entertainment for children, when suddenly the bag containing gas bnrst, tearing away the seats in front, and shatter ing them in splinters. The vestry door was also blown open, in which "about eighteen children were waiting. The expensive organ was completely destroyed, and every window was smashed. The snn light was torn away, the roof lifted, and the gable end of the building cracked in several places. Mr Ardill was the only other person present, and, fortunately for both, they were standing behind the ex plosion. The shock merely stunned them for a moment, and luckily they were not hurt. I'be report was heard at the extreme ends of the town.

Murderous Attack.

A murderous assault was made by David Gillespie [Elliott, formerly of the Queens land (Jnstoms Department, on his father-in law, Captain Cooper, at the latter's resi dence, Brisbane, on April 21st, While Captain Cooper was sitting on the verandah, Elliott, who was supposed to bo in Sydney, presented himself, demanding to see his wife, and then fired two shots, from a re volver, at Captain Cooper, grazing his right arm. He then fired a third shot, without injury, and walked away. Elliott was arrested, a six-chambered revolver, one chamber still loaded, being found on him. The wife left Elliott two yeara ago.

A Jealous Wife.

Some amusement and surprise was caused at the Melbourne City Police Court, on April 19, when a stalwart woman, named ttty Kilduff, giving her age as 40 7ears, w;n called on to plead to a charge of insult ing behaviour, as she was folly attired in men's clothing, it appears that the prisoner is the wife of a cabman, of whom she is jealous, and that she adopted this dress in order to watch his movements the more easily. Mrs Kilduff got into an altercation at about 1 o'clock in the morning, when the police took her to the lock-up in the above charge. She was very much aihamed of her position, and promisiug the Bench she would not offend so again, was dis charged.

Singular Suicide.

A telegram from Sale (Victoria) to the " Argus," on April 20, eajs :—A strange suicide took place thia morning at the Albion Hotel. A man named Henry Gis lingham, a commercial traveller in tbe em ploy of Messrs Andrews and Co., of Mel bourne, went to bed last nif-hi quite sober, but evidently suffering from the effects of recent drinking. He was heard early in the morning making a noise in bis room and smashing things, but as the noise ceased, he was not interfered with. Later in the morniog he was found bent up with his face pressed in the bed, which was doubled up under him on the floor. He was black in the face and quite dead, having evidently been suffocated.

Death in the Street.

The dead body of a young man, unknown, was foQuii early on Saturday morning, April 22ad, ia a corner of the Friendly Societies' ground (Melbourne), by two men owning a revolving circus, which worked on the ground at the eight hours' demon stration on Friday. The face was covered with scars and nasty wounds, the top of the head ami the appearance of the neck and t.ce leading to the belief that tbe deceased was first assaulted and then strangled. One of the men who found the body states that he saw the deceased fighting another man late last evening aud afterwards identified a man named Watson, who was brought up at tbe Court this morning for gambling on the grounds, a* the deceased's adversary. Watson was re-arrettod on a charge of inflicting serious bodily harm, and remanded. Watson says he is able to prove an alibi. The only articles found on the dead man were a gem photo, of a young weman, and tbe follow ing address on a piece of paper :--" Arthur Stringer, North Terrace, Hackney, 8.A." The inquest showed death to be due to suffocation.

Sentenced to Death.

Wm. Saul, cnaiged with rape on a girl named Clarke on the Richmond niver, was convicted at Grafton(N.S. W.)ou Saturday, April 22, of the capital oSence. Judge Fawcett made a feeling address to the ua. fortunate man, holding out very little hope; and, in the usual form, sentenced him to death. Saul ia a married man übont 25 years of age, and has one child. The Court was densely crowded.

Tired of Life.

James W. Maltman, aged SO, described on the police sheet as a printer, has been charged at the Sydney Water Police Court with attempting to commit suicide by drinking tome chlorodyne. Dr. Twynam deposed that prisoner was brought to the hospital suffering from the effects of chlorodyne, and that hs gave him an emetic, after which he recovered. Prisoner admitted to him having drauk some inten tionally, in order, as he eaid, that he might kayo "this earthly vale of misery." He aUo taid that he had on a previous occasion taken arsenic and strychnine to put him out of " this earthly vale," while suffering from incipient delirium tremens. Prisoner, being asked whai he had to say for him self, told the Bench that what he had stated to the doctor about poisoning himself was said in fan.

Attempted Murder and Suicide in Melbourne.

4 horrible cose of attempted murder and suicide occurred at about mid-day, on Sunday, April 23, at the Extord Hotel, kept by Radovick, at the coroer of Russell and Little Bourke-Btreets. The occurrence arose through jealousy on the part of a young man named Arthur Lieber, a Hun garian by birth, who has been residing at the hotel for the past 13 months, and who appears to have formed an attachment for a youog woman named .Lizzie Maher, neice of the landlord, who was engaged at the hotel in the capacity of barmaid. At about 12 o'clock to-day. Mi?s Maher went to make the beds, Whilst in Lieber's room she heard him coming up stairs, and in order to avoid him, she went into the next room. Lieber followed, and she moved into another room, whither Lieber again followed her, and, after using some threatening words, asked if she was ; prepared to die. The girl attempted to leave the room, but Lieber prevented her, and a strangle ensued. Hearing the noise, Mrs Radovick hurried upstairs. Just as she entered the room the heard a shot ii-ed, and ran downstair) again for assistance, Another lodger, named Matulicb, went to assist the girl, who managed, after a severe struggle on the landing, to secure two loaded revolvers which Lieber had in his possession, but during the stmjgle she tripped and fell downstairs. Constable Moloney meanwhile, attracted by the cries, rushed upstairs. He no sooner appeared than he was shot at by Lieber, who was evidently thor oughly well prepared to accomplish his parpo3e, from a third revolver, whtch he still possessed. The boll fortunately missed the constable, and lodged in the wall. Lieber ran to his bedroom, closed the doors, and stabbed himself in the side, making an incigion inio which three fingers could be passed to tne lungs, the weapon used being an ordinary butcher's kaite. Lieber was. immediately conveyed to the hospital, where he lies in a precarious condition, The doctors speak hopelessly of his recovery. The shot fired at Miss Maher, who is 18 years of age, entered her left breast. Th* ball has been extracted. The injury is Berious, but it is hoped she will recover. The event created great ex citement. "

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

INTERESTING BREVITIES.

It Is highly probable that Mr Uladitone's estimate of the receipts will be fully realised. In March little more than seven millions were wanting to complete the amount expected, and there was still about a month of the financial year to run.

It is said that one of the novelties of the London season will be a fancy dress ball in which all the ladies will appear in costumes representing birds.

Ludwig Lowe, the inventor of the revol ving rifle which the German War Office has discarded, has gone to Constantinople. The inventor is treating with Turkey for the sale of his patent to that country.

The tension now existing in the relations between Germany and Kuasia is unques tionable. So much is it felt that the papers published in Berlin earnestly dia« suade their readeis from making invest ments in Russian funds, and even nrge the Government to entirely prohibit deabng lv Russian stocks.

'lhe "Home News" hears that permis sion is to be given to two Russian officers to study naval constrnction and all that appertains to naval matters, in our dock yards, ships, and arsenals. Barskimming House, the property of Sir ' William Frederick MilUr, Bart., and one of the finest old mansions in Ayrshire, has just been totally destroyed by fire. If report is to be believed (a Paris tele gram says) General tskobeloff has received > no fewer than forty throe challenges from the German side of the frontier.

The emigration to the United States from Germany this year promises to bs very much greater even than last. Prom Ham. burg alone about 12,655 fugitives have set nail from America during January and February, as against 0u1y5,812 and 3,757 ia the corresponding periods of 1881 and 1880 respectively. The Sultan of Turkey is abontto sanction the proposed arrangement for the payment of the Russian indemnity by means of the tithes and sheep tax in certain portions of the Empire. The complete redemption wil extend, it is said, over a century. A Danish expedition to the .North Pole, to start in July next, baa been arranged, and the Copenhagen Chamber has voted a substantial sum towards the expenses. Hobart Pasha has been instructed by the Sultan of Turkey to organise a torpedo service.

it is reported that the Chinese Govern ment, following the advice of some of its European friends, has decided to build three new towns on the Russian frontier with permanent garrisons of 2,500 men each, and that the Russian Government on its part is consequently endeavouring to settle the Russo-Chinese frontier wilb emigrants from the interior of Russia.

Approval of the principle of the Deceased Wife's Sister Bill has just been given at a meeting held at Exeter Hall and presided over by Mr Kolman Hunt. The grievances alleged to exist under the present law were dwelt upon by tbe speakers, and a resolu tion was passed in favour of holding a "monster" meeting at an early date. A project for the construction of an elec tric railway through Berlin has again been proposed, and its realisation seems to be probable. It is intended to carry oat the works on tbe elevated principle,

There is a strange report tbat Germany intends giving the Duchy of Luxemburg to France for a coEsideration.

A picture by Mrs Butler (Miua Thomp son), representing the famous charge of tb« Scots Grays at Waterloo, has been placed on exhibition at Gracechurch-street, in the City of London. The picture, writes the painter, represents the scene at the moment when the word "Charge I" is being given, immediately following tbe cry of " Scotland for ever 1" which some troopers are still shouting.

The Late Lord Lytton left three un published, plays behind him, one of whieb, on the subject of Bratus and Tarquin, haa been submitted to Mr Irving, who will pro bably) produce it at the Lyceum. It con tains several very effective situations, and a competent critic, who has read the MS., says tuat it is a better play than the "Lady o£Lyoa«." Mr William Black is writing a new novel, which will be published in Harper's "Magazine." The opening chapters deal with the early straggles of a journalist. Captain Ham Busk, D.0.L., L.L.D., M.A.,, Cantab., who claimed to be the originator of the volanteer movement, died at his residence in Ashley Place, Vic toria-street, London, on March 11,

The state of affairs and public opinion St. Petersburg ia said to be not unlike tha. noticeable in Paris before the outbreak of the war in 1870. The wildest Chauvinism seema to prevail, withou' the slightest re j'u.rd to the inefficiency and the corruption of the army. The Czar is represented as a mere puppet, whom General Skobeloti* dares to defy in his own capital. M. Mnntz, director of the laboratory of the Institut Agronomique, Paris, by means of an apparatus of his own invention, dis covered the presence of alcohol in water. Ie is true the proportion is almost infinitesi mal, yet it is sufficiently appreciable for him to have fixed it at one-hundrcd-tliou sandth pan, and even less.

"H.M.S. Pinafore "is about to be pro duced at Berlin, and Mr Sullivan is ex* pocted there on his way home from Egypt to superintend the first performances. Max Adeler's "Out of the Burly Barly " and "Hood's Own" are the latest of the Popular sixpenny Editions of Stan dard Works. They are to be followed by cheap uniform editions of " Longtellow's Poetical Work?," " ThePilgrim'a Progress," and the " Arabian Nights." The Spanish wine-growers are disclosing the fact of the large exportation of thair red wines in France, to be watered and adulterated, and then sent to England as cheap claret. They ask new that the French are done with, the treaty being de funct, that England may give them the same advantages as the French had, and they will recompense her by many reduc tions in their tariff, which will admit Eng lish goods profitably, that formerly did not pay the importers, into Spain. Geologists who are not retained tor either schema are gravely shaking their heads over the proposed Channel Tunnel. It teems that in the very centre of the Chan* Bel an old valley is believed to exist, cutting tne chalk in two. It this is so the whote scheme becomes impossible, and an attempt to carry it out dangerous to the workmen.

AmoDgst juvenile amusements a very pretty performance was given lately in Park Lane, London, where Mr George Parkins assembled a large party of gutsts to see the play " Macbeth " acted entirely by children. The oldest performer was only thirteen years of age, whilst the youngest had only completed her sixth year. The " paid off" crew of the Wolverene, late commodore's ship on the Australian station, arrived at Plymouth ou March 10th in the Orient Line steamer Lusltania, and were transferred to the flagship. The Koyal College of Music, so ably ad vocated by princes, bishops, and great statesmen, ia being supperted in the most munificent manner. The subscriptions already amount to £27,725, exclusive ot the contributions by the London city guilds and the provincial municipalities. A site for the college has been secured in South Kensington, but a revenue of f 12.0Q0 per annum is required for the support oif this most desirable institution.

Mr P. J. Smyth, one of the most brilliant rhetoricians of the Irish party in the House of Common*, has given notice of a motion, in which he advocates the admission of Spain to the concert of the European Powers. It'is regarded as quite certain (hat the plea will not meet with serious consideration. SKOBELOFF AND THE CZAR. It is said that the Emperor, on receiving General Skobelefi after big return to Rnssia, I addressed hiniia the following terms :—"I am displeased with you. You doubtless wished to glorify Russia. Look at the re sults attained. Before your speech Russia enjoyed a certain authority ia Europe; now you see her foisaken. Austria is irritated: Germany laughs at v«. France holds aioof tor fear of seeing herself mixed up in a war for which she does not feel prepared, Mr \ Gladstone has his hands tied, and the Rus ' sopbobist party ia England triumphs at finding a foundation on which to base t its invectives against the bellicose dis j position and grasping tendencies of Rnssid. Even Turkey raises her head, and, in the j hope of loon seeing a war break out between I Russia, Germany, and Austria, refuses to sign a convention, completely drawn up, for the payment of the war expenses. You desired, no doubt, to be useful to the Slavs' but, having irritated Germany, yon nave destroyed even that neutrality, which alone was possible under present circum stances. Germany, as a neutral Power in i the Slav question, if not in the Eastern question, was thinking of proposing to act as mediator, and now" she firmly refuses to J aid the Slays ■of the Peninsula: Thus, thanks to yon, Russia feels herself derided, hooted, and completely isolated in Europe,"

THE AUCKLAND ETENING STAR WEDNESDAY. MAY 3



-piBOM THIS DATE, 5 PKR CKNT Will bk Allowed ok ALL CASH PURCHASES rsoM ()nk Pound And Upwards. J, COSGRAVE & CO. BEX "EVENING STAK.' Mr Editor: Sir,—l Challenge all Opponents of local Enterprise, bn who they may, to Produce - any Foreign Compound lor Dyspepsia or Indi gestion equal to BOBLBy'B DIGESTIVE MKAIi tor Pntee or Porr'dge DIGEBT^'E BKOWN BREAD, and . dioebvive Biaouirs J. EOBLEY, 25, Gbky-stbbet. WANTED.— Have yon seeD the Silver Bracelets at 8a J Eight Shillings each I Good genuine Silver 1 Ma bought me a Pair— Buon anoka-at F. H. LKWISSON'S, jKWEHJtB, Opposite the Union Bank, Queen-street. iTquOR I'iSA UOMPAjSY, LONDON. Value. Little DorrH «a Pictorial KBinlly Woißlilp .. .-7a Valentine Vox .. _ .. ..5s Parlour Menagerie _ _ .. 6a 6d Uncle Tom'a Cabin 6s And thousands to select from. Any of these Handsome Books given away with THKKK LB9. OF LT-QUOR TKA (2/8.2/8.3/ per lb). W. a COIiLIMS, Aokst, Parksxl, AuokUnd, TKRMB—BHHCTLY CABU. ADBTBIAN BKNTWOOD Cane Chairs, Austrian ?i»^i"' Vi^w' Bentwood Oane Couches end 133, Queemitreet, touuKea. Austrian Bentwood Cane Koeklng Chalra. " ALNUT DRAWING KOOM BUITKS In £.«». uuukjb. slUc^ Tapestry, Rep, and Ore lffl, Queen-street. ton^e> vvainut Table*, What nota and Canterbnrya. M~ ~ AHOQANY, CBDAR Klrau, and Kauri Din iAftS^StSS' liK-wom Suitofl In Leather ias,Oueen-Btreet. H J lroloUl4 Amerioan Cloth. KON Half-Tester Bel atcads, Iron Frenoh Bed llß.Oueen-street. |BtMdß ; Ixou Vom fa ohair Bedsteads, Iran Cots. PATENT Spring Boiler Blinds and Venetian lS3,Qosen-atreeL Blinds, OUt Cornices and grench-pollßhed Cornice Poles riARPETS, Hearthrugn, T. &H. OOOKB, \j Linoleum, Flooroloth, 128, (iu«on-fltreot. Matting, Door Mats, Bath Mats. In great variety. ' : "'; T 4 IBKRAL DISCOUNT to " I.JBH.tXXJtal.'*-'. Oftßn Pmohasers. All TO, Qoeta-sueou $??? delivered free In town. ""■ - gJgj^JBW portlrae on Bppll.



Special Advertisements PK£lTmTnary jiotice. a SCSWARZBACH. M.D. (Lately from the BerUn and Vienna Bye Hoepi i usd, has returned to New Zealand, and will resume hiß Vractica in Auckland as a Specialist FOR DI3EA9K3 OF THK KYE, KAB, AND THROAT, about the beginning of June. TOST OPENED UP, XX CKOWNTHORP*. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT or JTL3TER3, TACKKTS. TUTANTLEB, TITANTLB CLOTHS. JTLSTER CLOTH 3. DRESS GOODS, ra Gbbat Vamktt. Plain and Brocaded VELVETS. Ptoi and Brocaded VELVETEENS. I HOJIKRY \ ln every Quality and Style. Milne and (jb. o yce Queen and Wkllesley-stkeetb, auckland,



WILLIAM R BRIDGMAK Invites Inspection ot a LARGE LOT OF NEW BARGAINS. 1250 yarda New Homespun Serge (all shades). 200yard's^wocfhoa^Dresa ***»»£* 300 palrl% deTßtnKoS6s6d pair «^ value : these have been well bought, and » p^tt'Sß&MWcheap at A Nice Liorfment of Wool Shawls (In great A {all Qualities), Carpets. Linoleum, &c. which will be cold at very reasonable rates Good Assortment of Men's »nd Boys* Ulsters. Overcoats and Macintoshes 75 Pairs Men's Worsted Corn Trousers-Drab. Blaofe. and Grey. &c.-93 6d KO Pairs Man's Tweed Trousers, from fla lid White and Coloured Moleß-Men's and Boya'- Men'a Trousers and Vesta, 12a 6d, Us 6d, 16a 6d. 18s 9d. 22s 6d. extra value Laree Lot of Men's Tweed Coats, from 7s Bd AgreaT Variety of Boys' Sulta (long trowers). Men's and Boja' flats in great variety and at all Men's Coloured Shirts, from 1» 6d to 3b 6d I^A^if-? Do^wUih Ulster Tweeds, Js 6d, 4b 9d, 6a 6d PATTKRN3 FREE BY PO3T. JUNCTION I>RAPEB-*r WAREHOUSE. •* ---4MEKICAN GOODg (Just Arbivkd) on sale by G^W* & CRAN^IT'L. -\ Spindle Grecian CHAIRS CHAIRB Kxtra Washington Do! liANDISO Oak xjujug Do. „ „ **„„ f Douilaa (Ann) 80. Cababteieh Children ' fl High Do. „ *?!? ~ American Wood ORADLE3 New York. Fey Carpet S HAIR3 } American PERAMBULATORS The Teadb scpplibd. GARLICK & CRANWBLL, City Hall Arcade. AUSTRIiN BENT WOOD FURNITUBK. Now Landing, ex Crownthsrpo— •\ Ladles' K.jst and Rocking Chain Gents' Do. and Do. Do. Shop Chairs and Piano Stools „ English Birch Folding Chain, Now with or without Anns r _ English Carpet Folding Chalra, Landinb wUh mgb Backß Bx j CBT opened Up— „„,,„„ I Drawing-room Furniture, CRO WN- fgijdc an a Gold. Walnut and TwnRPK Fftnoy Pallll*4 Whataots THORPS. DaV enport3, Coffee Tables .„„, Tapestry and Brussels Carpete 110111 Ladles' Occasional Chairs (for t^ *~~ Drawing-room) London. New j^a^na i n Cornioes Do. Do. Cretonnes New Fringes for Mantle Shelves, ) Cornices, Tables TOILETWARE, to amve ex Pareora. NEWCARPKTB. do. do. do, NSW DKBIGNS IN LINOLEUM, to arrive ex Arabella. Oak Dinino-koom Stttte Frames Just Receitkd. wholesale and retail fiAKUCK & pRANWELL, GENERAL HOUBK FURNISHERS AND CABINETMAKERS, QUKKN-STBKET AND liORNE-BTBKET, Auckland, HMITH AMD ARNOLD ARCHITECTS. OLD CITY COUNCIL CHAMBEH3. •M******^^^^^^*;*'*:*;*'***'*'***'*"* 00000000000000000000000000 £h fn £h r< r< E-< Hr< E-r< HE* J-1 r< Hr* H S"i ri r< ri Eh HH r< OOO3QQOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ooaojoeeaoejcseoaoaoeeeocsoocso S3bbsSHh9S9SSesshwm3w3kSS9 H H H Eh Eh H H H r-i H:-Eh E-i H Eh E-r-c-i H E^ B H f-i H Eh SSS3SSSSSS3SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS 00000000000000000000000000 1882 ■•^yiNTEB -50 cases 50 Tho first portion of the NEW GOODS tor this Season are now on view, amongst which ar some Magnificent Lines of BOYS' AND YOUTHS' CHEAP SUITS. . Parents and Guardians will find it advan tageous to make an Early Selection. The STOCK oi MEN'S CLOTHING is simply superb, and the Variety of HATS, HOSIERY, SHIRTS, BLANKETS, FLAN NELS, Sec, second to none in New Zealand. Auckland Branch: QUEEN-STREET, Opposite Theatre Royal; AND AT ALBERT-STBBET, THAMES. J. FITZSIMONS, Manager, qpopoppppppppposppappppppp &&*&&&&&&&&&&* EHHPHHHfHFHEHEHEHHfriEHriHEHc-iEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEH "|UbT RECEIVED Ez Crownthorpe and Arabella, and Late Arrivals, labgk shipments 07 brubselb and tapbstry Carpets, (all hbw patterns). A Splendid Assortment of French and Kngllah CRETONJ4EB. LACK AND NKT CURTAINS In Great Variety, JiBASa AND lEON BEDSTEADS AND COTS. IRON VENETIAN BLINDS (all colours), VERANDAH BLINDS. PERAMBULATORS FURNITURE of every description In stock and made to order. INSPECTION INVITED, Tjrr INKS AND pf ALL, WHOLESALE AND RKTAIIi V VBINKTMAKEIta AND UPHOLSTBRBBS, AND CARPET WAREHOUSEMEN, Shohtland-stebet.



The trne co-operative principle of doing business ia to buy cheap for ca3h and sell oheap for cash: this, combined with a very low i rent and email expenses, enables both the woriing man and the country pettier to make his mone> go farther at Wm, H. Smith's Cheap Drapery Warehouse than any other h0"?f T __™ Auckland. Note the address: Corner of Upper Queen and Alexandra streets, opposite Army and Navy Hotel. See Wanted column.-!Advt.l



Mr William Aitken, Mr Cosgrave, and Major Morrow, caution persons against trespassing upon their properties at Mount Eden, in pursuit of game, or otherwise, under penalty of prosecution; dogs will be destroyed. Young ladiees and gentlemen about to start houaokeopiog will bo relelved of a great deal of trouble by oalling on the undersigned. You can ascertain in a few minutea the cost of furnishing a three, four, five, or b(x roomed honae. Not only can you 'orm a correct cßtims 1 3, out you can see all the goods retdy for delivery at the varions prices. GsrifCK and Cranwell keer) a larger stock of carpets and bedsteads than any other house In iuokUnd; alto the greatest variety of household furniture, most of it manufactured by iheir own workmen. Five per cent, discount allowed for cash at time of purchate. New-comers are Invited tj s'roll through the City Ball Arcade, and' satisfy themeelvea by an inspection o* the Btook of the good value we offor. and the readiness we are enabled to execute orders entrusted to our care. -Gariiok and Cranwell, City .Hall Aroade.- Advt.