SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

man Water{^S nIo BJng. 9.10 HUNSKT.-Thls Evening, 7.12 SUNRISE.—To-morrow MornMg. 0.10 _ MOON}S AGK-FuU Moon 23rd, 651 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

LAST KVEHiau- - OanolftD ar Norrls, from Meronry Bsy ; T l"2 Sooth *.*,, nay, f. om Onehunga * lona*mTßtaSto from whangarel , .0 ■• A

IMPORTS.

Par Yoona Diofe. f«om Timaru-700 laora whlat, 1000 woks bran. 403 saoke sharps. 190 sacks oats.

Iwards, CoASTWisE.-Lizotto, from Thames in ballast; Woipu, from Prtrua Bay, with 26 m i feet baujk timber; Sunderland,Jrom Great Barrier, with 18 tons firewood ;.Mana, from TlSs' with 24,000 feet timber; Four Sisters, from Walheke, with 27 tons firewood. OiTTWiKris,COASTWiSE.»-Lize£le,fOPlEhame9; MercßTylWn, aiitt Mana, for Falrna; Sunder land, for Great Barrier; Four Sisters, for Waiheke. ; ' ' Me»r*,rßtonß Brotheis anndunoe that tne ■ Bhlp^BoMor ChleTwlU s-.iH tor loadon at an early date. I Tho«sonOonerß Three Ohee» and r"? 16 wSonf ai™ yacht Klta, wera docked to-day to undergo a goneral oleaniog up In preparation for the regatta. ' The Bblp Weatherefleld. whloh Ballad for Qaile on Monday last, was to day at anchor j art ontßldi the reef. She has been detained by Th« naw aoow built by Mr O. Halley for Mr! ffIBHHUI Thfl schooner Yontn Dlck.whloh arrived from Bfofftoee WdiW the East Cape, being rounded at noon on the 23rd. Ihenoe wu arrivalmoderate northerly winds. The as. Douglas, from Mercury Bay last eventag brought the following-passengers :- Misses Kavanah. McLean, Tuton, Grant, Mesdaroei Carina. Naughton, Webster and f arnllyTMills and child, Goachorh, Messrs Shar iocfc, Carina, Cooney, Monk, Toram, White head Crooker, Jenkins, Naughfon, Mills. O'Sulllvan, Adia, Hammon, Horton', Sergeant AVhale, and three natives. The s.B. lona arrived from Whangarel last evening. Passengers: Misses Way, Dudor, McKenzie, McGregor, Dlekens, Paterson, Ray bnrn, Edge. Mrs Stephonson, Mrs Simpson, Mr and Mrs Molntosh, Messrs Bell, Mathoson, Norton. Sutherland, Allaway, Harp, Edge, Robertson, Blackmore. Wilson. Lannagan, Willing, Marriner, Professor Calon, Heavey, Masters Anderson, McKcnzio, Sirapsofi and 5 "teorage. Cargo: 159 boxes fruit, o2 sacks gum, saoks fimgus, and 2 tons sundries.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

London, January 24.

Arrived: The P. and O. Company's steam- Bhlp BSaer-i-Hind! from Melbourne on Decem ber 7. „ Sydney; January 25. Balled, this afternoon: The R.M.S. Zealandia, for San STrarxSaoo, vfa Anokland.

COMMERCIAL.

Kvenino Star O»pidb, Friday. ME AWBKD nOCKtAND'S WKBKI.T EBFORT. At the Haymarket. on Friday last, fodder wafl In smalf supplf. andr ß n«d-for Ro.d hay. irom v" 6d to 8a: oaten straw, from 4s 6d to Ba j oaau, m i<h the ton. A JBJnaH line of oats. 3a 4d the toS*idtoS*l-i6d thelb; BheepsMnf, 3i54 to Ar^SSewß on Thn«d»y. dairy oattle were from 22a to2ss the lOOllw. The sheen yarded ware Benwauy ef interior quaUty. Tho tew ot oholo? auaUty brnght from Mi to 16a ««oh j hnt tho greater number sold froni 8s to Sf-ffiniwe in greater .umber thwro onttedfand prices w«rs low ; Rood quality from fa to Bi6d eaoh. Hga were Inusual supply. mdßtiatevalno-. Hdnteb ANDNoLAN'sHEPORT.-Horses: The sunDly has been moderato. and moat of those oflSred for Bale found purchasers at previous Valuta At tte Durham yards, on Friday, the dSra to give Wanced rates. Tho numbor yarfedat both Newmarket and Waluku was Umtted. Dairy cows were unaltered in value, h^t tore was an upward tendency to the price o?ffltbeastsV Few sufficiently up In condition ware yardea at Newmarket on Tuaaday. A number of cows BOld at relatively low figures, SSrweUfattedsteers exceeded expectations of vendora Wly Ks per lOOlba having been giren. Sheen- A erood many were brought forward, hnt comolafnte of the quality were oud. The ferather scarce. Good porkersare saleable.

SALES BY AUCTION.

Mf W. Dowden'B sale to-day was weU at tended/ The principal business was done in pototoia. Hobart brought 7a per ewt, and kidneys lid per lb.

AUCKLAND PRODUCE MARKETS.

kffß..gf:|ei fore-quarter - <- -v ■* ° v Uunb. fore-quarter I - _ ,<J 1 „ hind-quarter J - B „ - Po&andVeal - - - » ° J-J J -^ow^Weßaiel-Mntton. &; mixed. teßt°? o3' JftOUBMABITKT. Wholesale. Bnperflne Flonr.BllSdreaaea, per ton- 13 10 0 J««S :: : n :: gS^^S**)-""*- 0 0 Bharps.P<»ton — - ~ " is 0 0 ■ SS£fr*z - " «~IBW Pearl Barter -. - - - mzl v v " HAY il»» COBH MAJUOCT. ■ ■• . Wholesale. 8.4. s.d ' fIS. fls MaiM(3yd.) none Hay medow . -(FUn.) none ton pressed * 10-6 0 gSrtferi). 0-4 0 O^^-pO-0^ Now potatoes: Hooarr., J37; kidneys, *8 to «9perton> Oaten chafl.«a ' KetaU. a, d. B> d. B. d. 8,.. fl. &C-' a | gggn o! ISJFft'di isßUJaj »££&? Mdß7Bfflorted7ei6loatp«irDerton . ~0B>& ?CoAi IOT ffHUnVOOD MAMEST. _™> ; nnA*.2-Newcastle. cargo »8a per ton; ytai , 82s in MSBayof Islands, at yards, Ms; Bftto?aY the inae. 13«: screened. 28s; ships 25« «£f «L Tanplrl, at mines, 10s to 12s; at £3 jS to2te;KW,2& to2fe. Whauwhau, atmlne 8s 6d; yard (steam), l^s; honßehow,22B; iptm-wood.—Uncut, at wharf (cargo). Bsto liteSSetSS°:deUvered. 13s to Us Bd; ont, lte to Ws' Kattbi Gch and Flax Masks*. '%» : : :.-w.p«n» '■ ««icS&MSXS«aiI TownTards «310s. Drain pipes at works.ne* Md'jMnoheß toreUOsstlnones. Us; 3taohes,9s« 5 IiSSuB Mb per l,flfo: sooket glazed pipes, 19 ff»*MLSflfid per foot; 15 nones, 2s per foot; 12 irffi&M per f«A:9liiotN*. 1b perfootper indua M per foot; i lnohea. 4d per _ nlnnmAND ORCHARD PRODUCE.—WhOIO- Jto^BSmifS toßd;apples, Sydney,BsM.to S>. American; per oasa of 40 lbs, 8s to Ha; Sherries? provincial, do., 6d to Bd^e»ohes.Ba to i?? nelffl. 2d to id; lemons, per doz,, la Bi to 2s «i '• ontonsl iier lb., Id to ijA; grapeg. ÜBdto 2s «l.'i?i • watents (none); rhnfatb. per doz, 3s; ■«Sen peaY. from to to Is 61 peohi fllSertslnmie); SwSSea is Si; Sydney oranßes, 10! 6d X lSiter case; oelery. per, doi. (eoarce); P8? fr» if to Id (soaroe); 55525 m ncr owt, 8s 6d; coooanuts, 83 ncr Sw^^omßtMß. ner lb, 6d to Is; beans, 2ja. R^taU •TeTpotatoss, per lb. Id to 2d; filberts Son*"; wmatoei (none)) oltuns, Bd to 104; I..or,irn<i i« 6a to 2' ocr dozen; fl«. per lb ISi lb 2di appteS (Araerioan), ao,, 4d to 6d; SSis 61; walßutg (none); rhnbsrb, per bundle. idfcelew/POT bMdle (none); jrampW». perjb toon?f- MP»r»M (none); cntnjmbors,2dtdea; SS?iie9,lfl3' ;gn>pe»,2stoSßperlb; beam,3d *»44.- ■,■••;■■-,:' ■ ■.;■■ ■

Mail Notice.

KkrtM WXU Ofcfißß A8 COTJBB—

rma dait.

For Whanscarel Heads, Parao. Walpn, Whan- Rare!. Tanglhua. and Mmgapal, per lona. at For Thames, per Bhterprtie. at 6.30 pan. Saturday. 27th lEßtanii For Walwero, Mahurangl, Matakana, Man«p wal, etc.. per Rosa Casey, ftUOi.m. JTor Rarotonga. per Kate M»o(tregor, at 11 a.n>. For Walwera, per lona. at 1 p.m. rot Talma, per Mana, at 2 p m. For Waltara, &0., per Maonresor. at 8.16 *•>>». For Waterford, Tauranß»,etoi,per Rotomahana, Tor Thames, per Kotomahans, at 8.90 p.u* Monday. 29th instant, for Kawau, p*r Argyle. at 9 a,m. Toesdax. January 38th. For Taranakl and Bonthern ports, per Penguin, For Coromandel, per Ooromandel, at 8.30 a.m. For Walwera, Kawau. Omaha, and MatoSaaa, per Rose Casey, at 18 a.m. i For Hofelanga. ew. per Fowena, at n BjM. For Thames, per Rotomatauxo, at ISO p m. For Tannuagi, Ohlnemntu, and Opotifu, per ■Wellington, at i p.m. For RusseU, Kawakawa. too., pet Ta Anan. at »or P'^MBell, Kawatawa, WB*gan». awJ Monifonni. per Blanelff, at 130 p.m. For Gistorne, Napier, and WelUngton, per Southern Crocft, * 6 P-n>« Per».s.Zoalßndjft.asioUowß: For SandwloJi Islands, Onltafl BttMM America. Canada, British Colombia. CWnu and South Amerloa. and British and Foman WfS uffil BtK& and eontomt ot BFor>mraer'OTderB l registered letters, and Newspapers, at 11.90 a.m._ . lAtelettors bearing an extra tee otalzpanoa, In addition to the pontage, wttbe woelved by the MaU Agent on board the steamer up to the time of paillnft. This mall will be doo In London, on Mon day. Maroh 12th, 1883. Si B. BISB, Chief PoatmaatM. el POBMffloe. AnoMiiiul.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

January

Plttatreat Wesleyan Chuioh—Ordination Bor vloe, 7 30 Pinii

Working Men's Club—Annual General Meet ing, Club Boom, Qaeen-street, 8 P,K.

Epiphany Church—Evening Prayer and Ser mon by the Right Reverend the Bluhop. 6.30 P.m.

Marriage.

HITCHIN-KEILLy.-On the Bth January, 1883, at the Office of the Registrar, Auckland, Samuel Hitohin to Mary Ann Reilly, eldest daughter of Sergeant John Reilly, late 70th Regiment.—Taranaki papers please copy.

Deaths.

MERRITT.—Dtowned, at Kaukapakapa, Kai para, Francis Ohecseright Merritt, of Spring- Street, Ponsonby Road, aged 16. The funeral will leave his parents residence to-morrow (Saturday), at 2 p.m.

■BABHLEIGH.—On January 25, at his resi dence, Pratt-street (off Wellington street), Thomas Raahlelgh; aged 32 years (late of St. Ives, Cornwall), leaving a widow and four ° The funeral will leavo his late reeidsnee to-morrow (Saturday), 27th instant, at 3.30 o'clock. Friends will please accept tkla invi tation.—Thames papers please copy.

SPHNOE.-On the 25th Inst., at his parents' lesidence, Bath-street, Parnell, Tho». Vincent, infant son of John Andrew ttpence, aged I months. i

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

FRIDAY JANUARY 20, 1883.

For the cmies that locks asftfence, Fee the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And iha good that we cm do.

At last the Hamilton-Priestley murder trial is over, and though that in itself !■ something to be thankful for, it cannot be claimed that the result is si> all ro-assurlng. Despite the verdict of the coroner's jury, | followed by the finding of "Wot Guilty " come to by the jury oi the Supreme Court, the public, almost to a man, are convinced that murder has been committed ■r-a " foul and adulterous murder," in the words of Judge Gillies—and that the mur derer or murderers are still at large, un> punisbed for their cruel and revolting deed, and free to pursue their lawless career. Ihe position in which the case is left is most unsatisfactory t* all concerned. If the late Hugh Hamilton died by misadven ture then a foul and irremediable wrong has been doije to $he two parties who were accused of bis murder, and ijhe public mind has been jinnecessanly and injuriously agitated oyer a jfajse, if n.pt malicious, tissue of accusations and bus- > picions. If, on the other hand, a horrible and mysterious crime has been perpetrated, there has been a sad failure of justice to fix it upon the guilty person, and there will bo a shaking of people's faith in the efficiency of our legal criminal machinery, and a consequent feeling of in security will pervade the public nuna. We could hope that the verdict of the coroner's jury should prove to be correct, if only to remote the terrible stigma upon Auckland of a crime which rivals in its leading features tne most objectionable type of French domestic tragedy, The medical testimony gives the .barest possible ground for believing that it might be go, and for this possibility we are grateful. If the deceased met bis

death at the hands of a murderer, it is safe io aseert that there is at large, and pro bably still in our midst, a cold-blooded assassin, who planned and executed his pro ject with a diabolical cunning and success ful secrecy which is well-nigh unparalleled in the annals of crime. We would fain be lieve that such fiendish atrocity does not exist in our midst; but the public mind is far from being satisfied, and pro bably will not be satisfied until the mystery which yet enßhrouds the affair is chared up. Wo do not intend to review the trial; but wo cannot refrain from com menting upon the very evident bias which His Honor betrayed in the course of the case, and notably in his summing up. The highest virtue of a judge is impartiality; but any one reading a passage from the summing up, and not knowing whose icmarks they were, might be pardoned for thinking that he had before him tha spetch of the def«ndins | counsel. W hen a prisoner is unrepresented, by counsel, it should he the judge s duty to watch over the interests of the accused party and elicit eyMencff' .favour able to him; but when counsel appear on both sides, tke simple duty of the presiding judge Is to held the scales of justice evenly. With the verdict of the jury we have no fault to find. It was to most peoplo a disappointing termination to a ca«e of exceptional interest, and of more than usual difficulty; but it is not easy to tee how the jnry could have arrived at any other conclusion than that come to. 'I'hey discharged their difficult duties with care and candour; and it is not their fault that the Hamilton murder case remains and is likely to remain a mystery.

The Stab Bupplem»nt to-morrow will be a double number, containing a larger budget than usual of excellent reading matter, embracing:—":—Threa complete tales—"Bob's Diary," "Mollie'a Match making," and "Dr. Lano's Dilemma"; continuation of "The House of White Shadows "; selected poetry, feminine brovi. tics, odds and cuds, choice extracts; " Wreck of a Steamer and Losa of Life"; "A Bashful Man's Courtship"; "Dress and Fashions in Paris " j " Wolf Children"; "Dear Fred—Was ho a Myth?"; "Find ing Water by Means of the Diviarag Rod " ; "Oremationj"; scientific scraps; "Kid napping an Anti-Freemason "; "Oddities of Advertising "; " The lales of the south Pacific—The Mystery of their Splendid Monuments"; "ARomantic Career"; '"In the Wrong Room"; "Carlyle's First Love"; "German Duels"; "A Bridal Couple Doused"; "An American Ven detta"; "Haunted Houses in London'1; "A Famous Kiss," &c, &c,

To-day being the anniversary of New South Walea accounts for the small num ber of cable messago9 appearing in our present is3ue. To give the telegraph em ployiSa a chance of participating in the holiday, business is suspended on the Australian Bide, and no messages co.uld be Bent from 11.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

The tlmo receiving tenders for the direct steam service between England and this colony has been extended to the 30th of April next. The Agent-General cables that the delay has been rendered necessary by alterations which had to be made in the draft contract and that a copy of the amended contract 'will be forwarded to Isew Zealand without delay.

From our shipping column it will ba seen that a cable despatch announces that the mail steamer Zealandla left Sydney for Auckland, en route for Kan Francisco, yes terday afternoon. She will probably arrive here on Tuesday morning. Another cable gram states that the Union Company's new steamship Tnrawera has arrived at Mel* bourne. The New Zealand passenger list will be feund in our shipping news.

Mr Scott, who was injured by a fall at the Bank-street corner in rihortland-street, has recovered, with the exception of a slight weakness in his left a«kle, and will re»ums his duties as bell-ringer ot St. Paul's Cathedral Church on Sunday morning noxt.

Port entries hare already been made for two taces at tbo Regatta, viz: -Steamers' gigs, Iona; whaleboats, Argyle. These make three entries for each event, ai re quired by the regulations

Mr John Moore, who Is the " lodger " re- Jerred to in the recent ftlae report of murder in Beresford-street, itatf s poiithely thkt tlure was no quarrelling whatever in the house on the morning in question. The husband, wife, and lodger were all on tbe beit of term', and the woman had do " bluek eye " aa reported in the " Htrtld."

At Wellington, a man named James McMahon lost his child while at the Druid's sporta on Monday, and the same night he went away in search of it. Be now would seem to have lost himself or met with some serioas accident, as nothing has been heard of him since then.

The Masaey trials at Dnnedin for frauds on the Corporation are dragging slowly along. Yesterday, two witnesses were ex amined on behalf of the Corporation, and the case was then adjourned, awuitisg the arrival of additional witnesses from Mel bourne. , : , ' ,

Considerable surprise was occasioned in town when it became known the Marital bad hot been entered for the large yacht race last evening. Mr Street states that he left the matter entirely in the hands of another person, who made a naiitake in the night of entry. It is probablo, hewever, that both the Muritai and Daphne will be allowed to take part by consent of the owners of the other competing vessel?.

The picnio to St. Heller's Bay on Mon day, in connection with the Wealeyan Con ference, promises to be a success. Arrange ments have been made tor the favourite steamer Victoria to leave the wharf at 9 o'clock sharp, and the Tongarire at 9.30 and 11. It is expected that there will bs a large gathering. Dr. Stcphenson will give an address in the afternoon, which of itself will be a great attraction.

A praiseworthy step in the direction of providing a " Sailor's Best" for the se»meu visiting Auckland has been taken by Bishop Cowie and other gentlemen interested. Booms for the purposes of reading, smoking and recreation have been opened at 39, Queen-sheet, and a gentleman of experi ence has been appointed to take charge of it; and it i* to be hoped that these efforts will be appreciated by the public, and by the class sought to be bencfitted.

A meeting of the Artillery Company was held last evening in the Drill-shed, Cap tain Payne in the chair, supported by lieutenant JMorrle. Four new member* were .duly sworn in by Captain Hamlin, J.P., making the Company forty-four members. The members of the Carbine Club held a meeting, and agreed that the competition should take place pn Saturday, the-3rd proximo, and that medals should be presented to members who had won the h'lt. Uniforms were served" out to new members of the Victoria Company.

The sports in the Domain on Monday are sure to attract a large crowd of spectators, judging by the interest manifested in them and .the numerous entries made. The (handicaps wijl be found in another part of this issue. Special attention will be directed, no doubt, to the bicycle and the .obstacle race, both of which are something new in Auckland athletics. A rude picture representing the various " obstacles " in the latter contest bos b«en drawing crowds round a Queen-street window, and this anxiety .to - witness the " counterfeit presentment" is a,n indication of the .rush there will ;be to .witness the genuine article.

The Helensville Turf Club's meeting, which takes place on Regatta Day, promises to be a great success, The stewards have left no atone unturned in their efforts to ensure a good.day's sport, The prizes are large, and judging from the treat number of entries, ihe excellent cpn ition of the course, on which a l.ot of money has been expended, and the in creased interest shown in this club's meet ing bythe Auckland public, the races bid fair to eclipse thoie of former years, A special train to and from Auckland has been arranged for, and a brass band engaged to discourse music during the day. The stewards have obtained permission Uf run a totalisator ion the eouree.

Th,e entries for the Auckland Regatta, on Monday next, hfis not come up to expecta tions. This is partly attributed to the fact that few hew vessels have been built during the year, and repeated contests between other craft has so fairly decided their sail ing ability that many owners "consider; it useless to enter for the object of winning the prize, and do not care to go to expense in preparing their b:ats for the sake of mere sport. In view of numerous entries being yet forthcoming, it has been decided to extend tho time for receiving such until 9 o'clock this evening, and Mr K. E. Isaacs (Secretary) will bo in attendance at the Waitemata Hotel club room half-an-hour before that timer Especially in the large sailing races several past'entries may be anticipated.

Mr Fred Ashton intends to open the . Opera Hesse to-morrow evening with j Merritt and Conquest's " Hand and Glove," which will be repeated on Monday and succeeding evenings. A powerful company has been engaged for the preduction. The Baptist Sunday-school teachers bold ' their annual picnic at Motutapu on Anni versary Day. Either the lona or Glenelg will be used as transport, and with a fine day the ttip alone on these commodious boats should be well worth the reasonable tare, 29 (id. The steamer leaves the whaif at 8.30 a.m.

The weekly meeting of the Ponsonby Baptist Band of Hope took place, laai night. The attendance was good, and the programme tvas gono through very successfully. A stirring speech was delivered by Mr Tremain, a recitation by Mr Field, a solo on the fluto was most cbarmingly rendered by Mr Isabel, Chief Engineer of H.M. gun boat Lurk ; a duet and several temperance' selections were sung by the raembeis, and thus was passed a very pleasant evening. A ' meeting of the householders in Mtirangi district was held on the 22nd inst., at 6 p.m. for the purpose of electing a School Committee for the ensuing year. There wore only seven present, and of tueao a sufficient number would not con sent to stand, consequently the meeting fell througfc, The T.tirangi School Csm mitteeof last year have nominated Messrs Goldie and MoKenzlo for th» ensuing elec tion of tho Board of Education. Th« usual monthly meeting of tho Union street Wcsleyan Band of Hope was held last night in the schoolroom. There was not a large attendance, Tho conduotor occupied the chair, and opened the meeting by giving out hymn 46 in ths Band of Hope hymn-bo»k, after which Mr Brame gave a very interesting and amusing sketch of his boyhood, and his joining the temperance cause. Mr McDowell gavo an amusing reading on "An April Fool," after which a musical selection by a young lady, and a number of readings, recitations,

and songs were creditably given, and tbo benediction by the chairman brought a very pleasant evening's entertainment to a close. A. number of new members were enrolled, 't he next meeting will bi held on February 15th. Tho secretary of the Victoria Yacht Club, Melbourne, bin forwarded a circuUr to Mr K. K. Isaacs, as Secretary of the Auckland Yacht Club, with reference to tho grand Intercolonial Regatta, which takes place in Hobs.ins Bay, on Saturday, the 10th of March next, It ia therein stated that races Nos. 1 to 4 are open to yacht* belonging to any recognised club in Australia, Tas mania, or New Zealand. The course is so arranged to ensure depth of water all round, anil the sailing rules are almist identical with those of the Yacht Vacing Association of Great Britain. It is to be hoped some effort will bo made by tho recently formed Waitemata Yacht Club to have Auckland represented in at least one evoot, for there are several fine vessels now owned here which woild certainly do credit to the port in such a competition. It is probable, as every effect must have an adequate cause, that there are satisfac tory reasons for the Wesleyan, Methodists, now in conference assembled, considering the necessity for obtaining a more distinct pledge of doctrinal soundness from thtir young Ministers. The Thames "Star" has the following item bearing on this question :—" At the Grahamstown Wes leyan Church on Sunday night, Mr Bell preached on the aubjeet of 'Joshua coin mandiug the bud and the moon to ttand still.1 The rev. gentleman explained this aitoundiug astronomical occurrence away by »tatiog that tho verses in the Book of Joshua announcing the event were merely extracts from tho writings «f an old Hebrew poet of the name »f Jaslier, and were only intended to be understood as a poc'ical ren dering of tbo famous battle—that, in fact, tbo sun and moon did not take tho slightest notice of Joshua* command, oven if such a command was over given."

APPOINTMENT OF HOUSE SURGEON TO THE HOSPI TAL.

Dr. McKellar has, we learo, been ap pointed Home Surgeon to the Auckland District Hospital, There weire eight appli» cations for tbo post, but the Committee were unanimous in their selection of Dr, McKellar, his testimonials being far su perior to any of the other applicants. Dr, McKellur is a mam of grea.t experience, having been Surgeon-General ia India, bat was compelled to leave that country oa account of ill-health.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT.

(BT TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

CAMBRIDGE, this day. A IBRIODS accident occurred at Hatamata on Wednesday evening last. A boy named Alfred Smith was engaged driving a Cambridge roller down an inclino wher, owing to the horses becoming restive, he fell forward oi to the grouud, and bung un able to extricate himself in time, the roller passed over his hiad. Ho was pickid up anronsclour, and Vr. Cuahuy, of <jam bridga, w»s immediately a out for, and dressed the wound. The pitient has re covered, consciousness, but hh condition 1b still precarious.

MINING NEWS.

(BY TKLKGBAPH.—OWN OJRRSSPONDENT.)

COROMANDEL, this day,

Tokatea. — The manager reports as follows: -No 7 Level: Tne No. 2 leader referred to in my la«t was cut in the northern wall a short distance from the heave. It is similar to that already followed on the south side of the drive, and carries about the same sliow of gold in the atone. At present it is making direct into the country, but I think it is likely to connect with the main 'level, about 50ft ahead, where a small patch of picked stono was obtained, and when the drive was going ahead. Winze, No, 7 level: The winze has been stopped since Friday list, m the men were required for a night shift in the rise; but sinking will again start to-morrow morning. The eader when we knocked oil', was looking well. Rise : The rise is up about 36it j the country is more promising, and the leader better defined. A few colours of gold were, seen in the quartz ' yesterday. Breaking down: The work is being pushed ahead day and night, with a view of breaking through, as the air is bad and the country likely to get harder as we go up Winze, intermediate level : The winze sinking from the No. 1 intermediate la down about 24ft, with the leader about 2ft thick, and showing mons or less gold' through the quartz. Ho picjeed stone has come to hand since the date of laat report. We expect to break through to the rise some time next week, there boing only about 22ft more to go to connect the two workings. Battery : Tile battery com menced crushing yesterday moMog. The stuff going through is making a good show on the" plates.

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before F. L. Prime ana F. Q. Clayton,)

LAitpe(t7. - Jamea Daley' and Bbnoezer Vtil vtere chSr^ed 'with stealing a quantity' oC Cheese, too, sndsninr, value 17», the property ot Captain Auld, ot the Famenoth. on the nigh seas between London and Auckland; on or about Ueo 23. Defendants pleaiea guilty, Captain Attla did not presa for a oonvioilon^ Ordered so be imprisoned till tha rlalng of the Cbnrt. and seat on board aftarwatds. 'i^KFi' from * fcTKAMBR — Ann Pardy ohargod with tbe laroeny of X ' J3l notes, the properiy ot 800. JPayn», on board the s.s. lons, was remanded till Wednesday, bail being al lowed—two sureties of £26 each. Absent Without leave,—O. Hanson was obrtKOd with absenting Mmselit without leave from thosMo Cabar/eldh, at Auokland, on January SBth.^Detendant pleadofl guilty'—The Captain atked that the defendant ba Kept In onetody till ha wsa ready to sail,—Three week a Imoriitonmen* with haid labour. ' , . Ovbewadiwo Oaots.—Thomas CampboU, for. taking an overladen cart down the Wharf, was flupi 6s and costs.—W. Sydney and T. Arno.'d, (or almllar oflenoeir, were flned 10a and coata. IAASVm An» 4itpbbntiok.—i»avld Fort w»a charged with oommlttlnctßn ao' ot Ul-behaviour to his master B. J, W^knß by telilog htm to "sbnt up/—Mr Thorns appeared for defendant und pleaded not RUllty. Mr Jaokson appeared for complainant.—Mr- fit o "no pointed tatth*» the Indentures were invaJfcJ.-OJfmlased with oasts.

Bntxomxa C^kgo. — Asdrdw Alboh. Hans Boys, W, (C. Brown, and Henry .Pjtteraon wera ohartred withembessSsllnpr*2swjith boots, b ing part of tbe oirgo ot tho Brltlsn ship Faminuib, on or about Nov. 30th last—After a lengthy trial the Bsnch fennd all the piijoners gnllty, and Bentonoad them to six months impilson mont with bard labour. ■-

'fie Court then adjourned.

CABLEGRAMS.

IHEUTKRS TELEGRAM,

THE FINANCIAL CONTROL IN EGYPT.

! CAIRO, January 24, 1 Sir Auckland Colvio, who recently re- ] signed his position as British Controller- General of Egyptian finance, has been offered and has accepted the post of . Financial Adriser to the.Egyptian Govern ment. ; FtfANCK INTRIGUING WITH TURKttY. ] CONBTANTI SI OPLE, January 24. I It has transpired that communications , have recently passed between the Porte and 1 the French Government regarding the circular note issued to the Great Powers, ! on. the sth insN, by the English Govern ' ment, in which it explained its intentions j with regard to Egypt. It ia now »nder j stood that the Ottoman Government are i preparing to protest against the policy ; avowed by England, and have received as ; surancc of support by the French Govern ment, from their representatives at Stam- E boul.

(Special to press association.)

THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN FRADiCE. PARIS, January 24. M, Grdvy is urging a te-union of tho French Ministry,

AUSTRALIAN.

SCARCITY OF

FREIGHTS AT

ADELAIDE,

ADELAIDE, January 25

A lar>(e number of vessels are in port unablo to obtain freights. Ho wheat is obtainable, and moro vessels are offering than can find cargoes. 17s 6d to London has beea reluscd, and lower rates offered and accepted.

MALTESE EMIGRATION DELEGATE.

SVDNKY, January 24.

Eignor Ccsare, the delegate who has been visiting the colonies to arrange matters In view of the possible emigration of Maltese to Australia, is a passenger by the Zealandia, which left here to. day.

EXTENSIVE BUSH FIRES IN THE NORTH.

One Life Lost.—Narrow Escapes.

-Damage, £20,000.

Fob ieveral weeks back serious bush fires have been raging in the district north of Auckland lying between the YVairoa River and Whangarei harbour, and the result has been the destruction of property to the value of many thousands of pound. The fires have beou spreadovertha districts of Omaru, Matakoho, Tokatoka, Faparoa, Mararctu, Paparoa and Okahu. Tho first of the con flagrations broKo out about six weeks ago on tbe liojiestead land at Paparoa, when the houso of a settler named Jackson was burned down. By great exertions he managed to save tbe greater part of hit furniture by throwing it down a well j and some neighbourlngsettlers narrowly escaped having tucir houses destroyed. In this fire several thousand acres of land, mostly belonging to Government and embracing an imaHuse tract of valuable Kauri bush, wero devastated. Some bash in the omarn block was also set iire to, it is alleged by Maoris, who wish to prosecute gum-digging on the land. A largo tract belonging to Messrs Brown, Campbell and Co. waa in danger of destruction ; bat somo of tho settlers having sent word to their manager at To Kopuia (Mr Matthews), that gentleman cent out a number of hands who succeeded in checking the spread of the flame*. Another danger arose on Monday, 15th instant, when the wind slighted, and blowing some Hnbsrn over to the land at Paparoa belonging to Mr Walter Sykes, set tho bush thero on fire. Mr Sykes and his wife, who were at work outside, at once hastened home on feeing the ip'ead of tbe fire, and had barely time to tavo their child, who had been left in tho house, 'when the building fell a prvy to the devouring element, all its content* being destroyed, un Thursday, 18th iost., fire broke out near tho trig station at tbe back of Mr McCnllum's land at Matakohe, and d«stroyed a valuable kauri bush. The fUmes extended nearly tj MrMcCallum's c«ttage, the fences and outbuilding) being all burned down ; but by dint of hard w«rk the house was preserved from a similar fate, By tb.s fire, tho Union Sash and Door Company, Messrs Brown, Camp bell and Co., and several private owners, of bush, were heavy losers. This fire is ; also believed to have been deliberately planned by guni-tiiggcrs in order thai thoy might '*squat" on tho, laud and begin digging. Nearly the whole of the Mararetn buih 13 stated to have been deatroyed. Somo Idea of the extent and charaoter of these bush fires pay bo obtained by town readers when it is stated that on Monday night the steamer proceeding down the river had to anchor, as, on account of the smoke fioni the fires many miles away, the air was so dense that progress was impos sible, as nothing was visible by which to sloor. A heavy rainfall took place that night, and had the effect of extinguishing some of the expiring fires. The most serious result of the conflagrations has been experienced in the "Puhoi distiict, where a girl of .eight years of age, daughter of Mr.Vincent Tolkop, was overtaken by a tush fire, and sustained such injuries fßt £hp expired in twelve hours aftenMA, Ie is estimated that n-e pecuniary 101 l Buffered through these fiies will reach a total of £20,000. This wanton destruction of wealth calls for strong con demnation, and when in addition human lives are placed in jeopardy, and actually sacrificed as in the present case, it is to be hoped that the inhuman originators of theio fires will bo brought ti justice and such punishment inflicted as will deter others fiom offending in a similar manner.

THE EIGHT HOURS' DEMONSTRATION.

Handicaps for the Sports.

Tim handicappers have declared the fol lowing handicaps for the sports to bo held in the Domain on Monday :—

200 yds Handicap (for married men who have no previo'vu record). — J. Porter^ scratch; J. Preston, scratch; McManus, scratch; O'Brien, syds; Budge, 9yds; Har vey, 10yds. ' 200\'ds (members over 40).~tt. Finlay, scratch ; Freston, 2yds ; Well, Sydis ; ' Jb\ Finlay, 6yds;' Cnmbie, 9yds: Two Milk Handicap Walk.—Huck atep, scratch; J. Hendry, 60yds; A, Hendry, 80yd»; I). Stew»rt, lOOyda; W. L. Walsh, 110 yds;'». Goodma^'l7oydß. Ohe Mile Handicap Running.—H. Huckstop,; scratch; A. D«ly, 70yds; S. Goodman, OOyda; D. McGinlay, llOjds; G. Caller, llOjds; J. teckie, HOyds; Jenkins', 115 yds; Cosson, 125yda; Harper, 130 yds; BreoD, 140 yds. 160VDS Members' HandioAP.-B. White side; scratch; E, 0 Hare, 2yds; E. Under wood, 3yds; 8. McKinlay, syds; J. Cole- Irian, 6yds; P. McCarthy, Byds; A. War. trick, Byds; Robinson, 10yds; F; Bow, 10yds. I 200YD3 HANDICAP HUfiDLES.—J. Cum jnins, scratch; \K. Whito.ide, Sy'ds'; F. O'Hare, 10yd» : J. Colemau, 15yds; K. McKinlay, ISydp.1 . ' ' Quakter • Milk Handicap — Mettam, scratch; Kitls, aoratub ; Monnock. ecratch; Huckstep, 6yds; Whlteside, Byds; O'flare, 13yds; Underwood, 13yds; Jenkins, 13rds; Colerrian, 17yds; Harper, 18yds ; Warbiick, SOydßj J. Hendry, 20yds: F. Bow, 20jrds ; D; McCarthy, 22yds; Rout, 25yds; Mfllett, 35yds. ■ ' Dkmobsi ration Handicap.- Ist ttage, 100 yds :J, Pickterinjf, acr'iitch; Kitts, lyd; Cummingg, 4yds; Mettatn,6Jj'ds;Monnook; 7yds; O'll»re, Byds j Underwood, BJyds; H. Donald, 9yds; J. Coleman, 10yds; Warbrlck, 10yds; Orr, 12yds. 2nd stago^ 200 yds : Pickering, scratch; Kitts, 3yds; Cummiag, BJyds ; Mettam, ■ 13yds ; Mon nock, 13yds; O'flare, 15yds; Underwood, 16yds; Donald, 18yds; Coleman, 19yds ; Warbrick, 2Qyds; Orr, 25jds. 3rd stage, 440 yds ; Pickering, scratchj Kit's syds; Cammihgs, 14yds; Mettam, 17yds; Mon> nock, 17jd*} Underwood, gOyas; O'flare, 23yds ; H. JDonald, 24yde ; Warbrick, 26 yds; Colernan, 26yd3; Orr, 35yds.' ■ 120 TAnDS HANDICAP (bojs under 16 yean).—C. Donald, scratch j Kowc, 3yds ; J. Reid, 3jds; Newdiok, 4yds; Mcfreet, syds; Lewis, syds; B. Keid, 6ydf>; Millet, 6jdi!; Walsh, 9>d«; Coleraan, 10yds.

Two Milk Handicap Bicycle hack.— J, Kitten, scratch ; W. Johnson, scratch: 6. Tlwaites, OOydt; R. Flewellyn, 60yds; W, M. Service, 100 yds; G. Garrett, 130 yds; X Eervice, 180 yds: D. Bottril, 200 yds.

LATEST CABLEGRAMS

(RSTJTEtt'S TELEGRAMS.)

(Received January 26, 1.30 p.m.)

ILLNESS OF THB MARCHIONBSS

OF NORMANBY.

MELBOURNE, this day.

The Marchioness of Normanby has partly recovered from her recent indisposi tion,

CALCUTTA EXHIBITION.

Exhibits from the various Australian Polonies for the approaching International Exhibition in Calcutta are invited.

RAILWAY SERVANTS CHARGED

WITH MANSLAUuH |?ER,

Station-master Thomson and Guard Bunt have been committed for trial for man slaughter in connection with the Hawthorn railway accident, The case comes on on the 15th proximo.

SHIPPING. Arrived : Riagorooma, from Bluff, SYDiNEY, this day. INTEKNATIONALUUICKET MATCH,

The third cricket match between the Euglish and Australian teams commences here to-day. Great interest is taken in the contest.

RKDGCTION OF BANK DISCOUNT!] LONDON, January 25.

The Bank of England has this day re duced the rate of discount from five to four per cent.

THE PAPAKAIO MURDER CASE.

Ihe Prisoner Acquited.

DUNEDIN, this day, Boattio, charged with wife murder, as been acquitted after two hours' retirement of the jury.

MEIHODIST DISTRICT MEETING.

Tub district meeting resumed its sittings at 9 o'clock. After singing hymn 343 the President read Ist Cor., 12th chap., and tho Rev. W. J. Tean engaged in prayer. The minutes of the previous day was read over, The report of Book Room and Publishing Committee was received. It showed that there was a varied stock of books and other material in the depot valued at £550. The sales dunug tho year amounted to £190 After defraying workiug expenses, a sum of £21 remained us profit. Tho New Zealand Primitive Methodist quarterly showed a profit of £4 12a 8d on the year v Issue. The meeting resolved that the pre sent stock of church bymn-books be sold to the public at English published prices, and to trustees for use of visitors at the cost price to Book Depot The missionary re port showed that there were five mission stations. Tho total number of members on them was 354. There had been raised for station purposes £963 6s 6|d, and for trust purposes £953 15a CJd, giving a total «f £1917 2s Id. These sums were exclusive of those for Sabbath school and other pur pot 09. The report ot tho Children's Equalization Fund was received as sitit factory. Time were sween ch'ldren on the fund. The balance in hand on tra working expenses of tho year is £18 Is; total balance to its credit £174. The ques tion of increasing the 'quarterly levy by which this fund is supported, from lOd per member- to Is, wai left over to a further stage of the meeting. The statistics of Sabbath schools nhow 38 Babb»th school*, 366 teachers, and 3,225 scholar-, an increase of 131 scholars for thoyoarj

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Afternoon Session.

The Conferenco met at 2*30 yesterday after* noon. A resolution that an evening session be held was negatived. The Revs, Messrs A. Reed and W. Morley were appointed to attend tbe Methodist District Meeting to convey to that body tho paternal greeting of the Conference. Mc*sr« J. Newman, Cherry, Keetloy, and the Rev, P. Mason waited oa the Conference as a deputation from the Temperance body of Auckland. Mr. Newman, who acted as spokesman, rtad an address which set forth the advan tage of closing public houses at 10 p.m., getting forth the evils of intemperance, and asking tbe co-operation of members of the Weslayan body in the elec tion of licensing committees; also, would impose restrictions en the liquor traffic.— Iv support ot the address Mr Ncwmam said that through ignorance of tbe l«w but few vot«s has been recotdod at tbe last election of licensing committees here, the consequence being that in nearly every in; ■Unco the candida'cs put forward by thp temperance bodies had been nnsuppesiful, They only succeeded in carrying three men, and had so f»r gained nothing by the legii lation, as the committees ejected had not closed a single house, or in any way re stricted tho licensees. Be showed ihat the result of the Auckland East election would have been different had 40 mote voted, Auckland South if 30 more had voted, and in /tuck; land North only 40 were required. Ho mentioned that the now election took place next month, so that thoy could not be ac aused of being premature. He invited a deputation from the Conference to be present at a meeting of the temperanco bodies to be held here shortly. The Revs. Mea«M Crump and W. J. Walker, havirg replied in sympathetic terms, it was re solved on the motion of ihe itev. Mr Bull that the Kcvs, Messrs Best and Jsitt represent the Couferenco at the forthcoming temperance meeting. The deputation fcaving thaukod the Conference withdrew.—The report ot the tx&mincß of candidates was then read. For the literary papsrs (2) the maximum marks was 100 In each. The following was the result :— iFirst paper: D*an, 91; Kewbold, 88; Lawiy, 88; Wallis, 84; Stephenson, 76; ' Rothwell, 65. Second paper: Walli-, 79 ; ,Newbold, 77; «nwiy, 77. Theological i paper: AVallis, 92; iVewbold, 84; Both well, 73; La wry, 70; Dean, 60; Stephen son, 45. — ' fter the recommeb'dation from the district meetings, and the medical certificates had been lead, it was resolved to j receive Messrs > dwbold, Lawry, Rothwell, 1 and Wallis for theological training, and Mr Dean as it teacher on t>i>l. The question of the eoundne-s of Mr Dfan's views on the doctrine of eternal punishment was raised, and c< nsiderable discussion ensued, several amendments being moved 'to the resolution i that Mr Dean be received as a preacher on trial. Tho motion'was, however, carried. Very considerable discussion ensued on Mr Smalley's application to become a' super nnmer'y for one year. It was eventually : decided to grant tjie request, i ' The conference adjourned at 6.15.

To-day's Proceedings.

The Stationing Committee met this morning at 9 o'clock, Tjae second' draft ot stations was read, and several altera tions were made from the firstreadintj.-i-The Eev *. Murley moved "That the portion of the Rev Mr Smalley's memorial, asking leave to visit England fora year, bealloWed. —This was carried.—The Key Mr Murray's reply to the telegram sent by the secretary yeiterday was read.—lt was moved " That accepted candidate!* 'be allowed to be present at a'l actings of tha Conference, to occupy feats outside the bar of the bouse." —This motion was lost,' as it was against the Handing Oiders. — The Auckland ministers were fixed aa a committee to arrange' for next Sunday services.—lt was moved by* the secretary "That a com mittee, consisting of the Revs Buddie, Morlty, Hammond, Gittos. and Kausir, be appointed to consider and bring up a re> poit on the subject of how to promote the work among the natives.,"—The Conference adjonrded at 1 o'clock. , ' ■''

WELLINGTON DIVORCE VASES.

Maori Respondent and Co- Respondent.

[BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRKSPONDENT.j

WELLINGTON, thin day. j' rwo somewhat singular divorce oases were tieard ia the Supreme Court yesterday, before the Chief Justice. The first was Mayoard v. Maynard and Another, ahis was a petition for dissolution of marriage on the grouads of the wife's adultery with the corespondent, Honi Mold. Mr Edwards (of Messrs Kdwards and Cutten) appeared ior the petitioner, and there was no .ap pearance on behalf of the respondent, or correspondent. John Maynard, the petitioner, deposed as follows : I am a butcher residing at Gisborne, I was married in 1866 to the respondent CatheiineMoko, a native woman at Gie borne. I lived with her four years at Murui pah, and after the massacre there in 1868 at Gisborne. We had two cnildreD, both of whom a1 c dead. In April, 1870, respondent left me. I was scouting with despatches, in the Mounted Volunteers at the time. I had been away from the' camp two days, and on my return found that she had gone away with a man named Thatcher of the militia" I wis told she had gone to her tribe about 15 miles from Gisborno, and afterwards I was informed the tribe had cast her out. Being in the Government employ, I could not spare the time to trace her, and the officer in com mand said he could not spare me. Two or three years afterwards the chief of her tribe told me ihe was dead.—-His Honor: Have you got mairied agaia since?— Pet itioner : No, Your Honor. Last February, whilo livinjj at Ormond, near Gisborne, I saw her standing on the footpath with some Maoris. I dismounted from the hone I was then riding, and approached her. Ona of the Maoris, Hone Mokai, said, "I have got your woman now." He added that she had borne him a child, and that another was expected. I theu in structed a sdlfifcitor to institute pro ceedings against her.—-Charles William Ferrlss, licensed interpreter, of Gißborne, slated that he knew the parties to the suit-, and had seen respondent and co-r«spondent togethsr on various occasions during 1880 at Tolona Bay; also, in October last, he spoke to the respondent, who carried a child on her back, and she informed mm that ihe and Honi Mekaj were living to gether. Kawiri Karaka said he was secretary of "The Maori Committee ' at Tologa Bay. He knew the respondent, who was now living at Tologa Bay. She slept in the samo house as Honi Mokai. lhe committee'demanded payment of a fine from them for committing adultery. They admitted the offence and paid the fine. This closed the case for the_ petitioner. His Honor granted a decree nisi. BARIWR V. BARBER. This wa9 a petition preferred by the hus. band for a dissolution of marriage on the ground of his wife's adultery with one Adams (deceased). Mr Fitzherbert (of Messrs Buckley, Stafford, and Fitzherbert), appeared for the petitioner, and there was no appearance on behalf of the respondent. William Peter Barber, the petitioner, said : —I am a farmor, at prosent residing at the Upper Hutt. ' I married the respondent, then Sophia Woouldom, at St. Peter's Church, Wellington, on the 23rd Decem ber, 1856. We hvtd together till the 15th Jane, 1869, and had four children, the eldest of whom is now 24 years old, and the youngest 17 years, i&v wife left me on that date. I had been to church,' a»d on comiog homo I found that she had gone. I heard afterwards that she had left for Australia. She had been away from me betore that for abaut twelvemonths, but .1 took her back. About a year ago I heard she was in Wei lington, and had a child with her, I was \ told she had been living with a man named: /•dams, afiiemanonboard thos s. Tararua, I who was drowned, on the wreck of that steamer. I had heard n othing of her during her absence in Australia. I did not make any enquiries, because I thought it would be useless to do so. Mr A. Or. Johnston, the secretary of tho Benevolent Institu-, tion, who h an old ft lend, told me of my wife's presence in Wellington.— To His Honor : I can't give any rcasonifor her leaving me. Up to the time of her going away we had not had a single angry j word. My children are living with me. 1 believe the respondent is still in Welling-' ton—Alfred George Johmton, Inspector of i\ uisancej, etc, laid he had known peti tioner aid respondent for between 20 and' 30 years. Just prior to the loss of the Taraiua he met her inlngestro-street. She was then endeavouring to earn a livelihood at a laundress, the Bad, made application to th« BonevoUnt Institution for relUf, and ! witness went to investigate the oa»e. He h.ard tßat the respondent had mafle a cl»ira' on the Union Steamship Company for the loss of " h»r husband, Adams," who was lost In the Taiarua. Respondent had a child, whose father, she said, was Adams, and who had been born in Queensland. When she marja implication to th« Benevolent Institution, witness aiked her why she did not go t» her husband. She replied that »he would not no b»ckto him, and that if Adams was not her husband in law sho was in tlu •ight of God.—This was the whole of the evidence.—His Honor Rranted a decree nisi. —The Court then adjouin«d.

AUCKLAND ANNUAL RE GATTA ENTRIES.

Thk Regatta Cenirjiittee met at the Club room, Waitemata Hotel, last evening when the following entries were received for the various events enumerated in the programme:— ; '•' ;'■■' champion Tra»ing Rack (for vessels 50 ton regisfcr and upwards.)— »nnie Wilson, topsail schooner, 150 tons, B. Mitchelion. j Three Cheers, fore and aft schooner, 114 tons, M. McKenzle; Fanny Thornton, ketcb, 81 tons, F. Kcane; V* inifred, fore and aft schooner, 78 tons, Meredith; Kate, McGregor, fore and aft schooner, G5 tons, Dlxod.

Trading Cutters, 25 tons and up wards.—Deveron,'26 tons, It. Lamb]; Rangatira, 27 tons, Tenatahi; Sovereign of the Seas, 29 tons, Young; Lizzie, 39 tons, Moguornoy ; Rose, 25 tons, H. W. Hender son.

TeAding Vissels (excepting cutters) 25 tons and under 50 tons,—Vixen, ketch, 33 tons, C Bailey;1 Mary Hogan, schoontr, 29 tons, J. Brown ; Saucy' Kate, schooner, 41 tons, Lewis ;' Reward, schooner, 41 tons, Youlden. •

Scows.—Vixen, 33 tons, C. Bailey, ..'. TbAdibq Vessels (any rig) under 25 tons, which have not been built for yachts. —Euphemia, cutter, 12 tons, Hodgson; Henry,' cntter, 14 tons, J. Hodgson; Mahurangi, cutter, 21 tons, J. A. Sub ritzky ;Xelia, cutter, '10 tons,'J. Clare) Garnet?, cutter, 14 tons, Spencer. YACHTS, over 6 tons.— Klta, 12 tons, T. Hendc'rsbn, jun.; Arawa, 8 tons, Bloom field; Christiana; 10 tons, Williams. YACHTS AND WISHING BOATS, 4 tons to 6 tons. —Minx, 5 tons, W, Jones ; Jessie Logan, 5 tons, Biggs; Glance,' 5.$ tons, Ifeatherstone. ! '

Bona-fidk Fishing Boats under 4 tons. —Fengub, 4 tons, Angelo; Brothers, 4 tons, J.''Gallagher; Flying Fish, 3J tons, Enox. ■.. (

Yachts under 4 ton?.—La?t Adien, 3| tons, McKoozie; Truant, 3.? tons. Ssnder^ son and [Moore; Tui, 2$ tons, sandera; CygneH, 3J tons, ;S^agar; Florence, 1J tons, i Neil; Jttnel May, 3 tons, Mackio; Sybil, 3£ tons, Craraondand Fairs. SECOND-CLASS OPEN f AILING BOATS.— Observer (O. B. Waiymouih), Bay Boy (Collins), Bay Oirl (Vickery), Imp (Oapt.' Stephen^os), Madge (Mackay), Transit (Beveridge), Gertie (C, Bailey). ! Third-class Opbn Sailing Boats.— Ada (Barrin»ton),' fly (Warman), Qaeen (Holder), Devonport (Holmes).

Foukth-clasb Open sailing Boats. 13 feet ard under.—"live (White), Ripple (Kinsley), Chance (Kiley), Glance (Bow. den), Una (Madigan), Ruhy (Poei), Pearl (Stewart) ; ." "• ' ' STEAMER 3' GiGS, 4 oars and coxswain,— Rotbmahana (A. Fatquhar), Argyle (Craw< foid). ;

>' Merchant Sailing Vesskls' Gigs, 4 oars - and coxswain.—Anttres (Captain Lewis), Acacia -(Captain Herbert), Grons vsor (Captain Jacobson), Famenoth (Cap tain Auld), Border Chief (Captain Shiarloh)*

Man'-O-Wak B6AT3.—H.M.S. Lark: No. 1 cutter; do., No. 2 cut'or; do., No. 3 cutter, . • ■ -(

Five-oared Whaleboats.—Rotoma hana, A. Farqubar; Florenc?, crew— George Moore (1), T. 1). O'Connor (2), W. J Scott (3), W. J, McDonald (4), J, Finlay (5), E, Moore, steer-oar. >■ „ •

Kob Roy Cannes.—Little Nell, Penny j Lily,. Baker; ZoOj Shalders ; Never Budge, Bloomfield. .

: DiNOiiS;—Fly, W. Bailey}; Eva, J. Jones

:; The time for racei-ting entries for races 4, 13, 16,118,119, and 20, has been, extended 9mtil 9 o'clock tIHB evening. . „ ' ', „

SUPREME COURT.- CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

(Before His Honor Mr Justice Gillie?.)

Supposed Murder of Hugh A. Hamilton.

We append the conclusion of the trial.

On resuming after the luncheon adjourn, merit, Mr Cooper explained that his client was suffering severely from diarrhoea, and asked therefore that she should be allowed to have some stimulant.

The Crown Prosecutor, in the course of his address, reviewed the evidence as to tbe cause of death, and said that if the jury found that the deceased's death was natural or accidental, the whole ease of the prosecution cmmbled into nothingi The learned gentleman "proceeded to deal with the female prisoner's statements as to how the affair had happened, and the presumption that they had given rise to that she was concerned in her husband's aeath. This presumption he said was based upon the circumstances that she had delayed until 7 o'clock to get assistance for him, that she had given contradictory versions of the occurrence and her conduct in respect of it and tbat she was observed early next morning drawing water at the well. She had told one person that she had swooned away, and therefore had to be removed to her mother's, whereas it had been proved that she went there un aided, Mrs Cullen a next door neighbour had stated that in ordinary cases of sickness she was called into Mrs Hamilton's house, and yet no recourie was had to her on the night in question nor even the next morn ing although she was in her yard when the female prisoner wa« drawing water from the well. As regarded Priestley and his con nection with the affair it would have been better for him if his case had been left where the prosecution left it. Evi dence had been brought to show tbat Mr Kicbard cc was wrong in saying that Priestley had never stopped at his house prior to the time that the latter called upon him to get him to aver that he had Blept in his hunse on the night of the 27th November, while it was attempted to be shewn that Richard Lee was unaware that be had previously slept in the house, yet it was xo him that Priestley appealed to make the wished-for statement. Why, too, did he not refer the detectives to .Edward Lee and Mrs Lee. Besides this, Edward Lee had only a very vague idea of the time that this occurred, and, according to bis own shewing, he-had been on the spree. The evidence of Miss McLennan and Mr Morgan were of no value; they In no way helped to piove the alibi that .Fiieatley alleged. The^e was the fact that JHrtestley had bees absent from his lodgings on the night of the 27th, and that Mrs Hamilton had declined to allow Mrs Neilson to sleep in her house that night, The Crown Prosecutor then biiefly summarised tbe salient points of the case, and concluded by commending it to the careful consideration of the jury. His Honor then began his summing up. He said that although the trial had been one of a very protracted character, yet ii bad not been too protracted, considering the importance and gravity of the crime alleged against thopii< oners. As the Crown Prosecutor had stated it was not for the jury to consider what would be the conse quenoes of their verdict. Their duty wa* to give a verdict upon the evidence adduced before them ? not taking theconsequences into any account whatever. Nor need he warn them against allowing their minds to be in fluenced by anything they had heaid or read outside the evidence; they would no< allow themselves to be impressed by any-, "thing of the sort The trial had apparent!) been greatly protracted owing to the imper fect mode in which the case nad been pte pared. It bad been admitted by the counsel for the prosecution in his opening i statement that there was a defective link in the chain of tvidenee. Now, when a jury had to try persons for their lives upoD circumstantial evidence, it was their duty to find that every circumstance fitted in link by link to its proper place, and that tbe entire chain was not weaker than its weakest link, and if one link was musing then the whole chain fell to the ground. There was one link wanting in this case viz., as to where Priestley was on the night of Hamilton* death, it was a pity that in such important cases there was not a provi sion similar to that in some countries whereby the police had the benefit of legal advice btfore bringing a case into court. In Scotland, for instance, the evidence was first of all* submitted to competent legal authorities ; and he felt quite certain tha' it the evidence in this c.se had beea laid before the gentlemen who now conducted the prospcution they would have advhed that it should not be brought befsre the juiy in such an imperfect form. A vast amount of irrelevant facts had been brought forward calculated U raise suspicion, but they were not evidence of murder. That was not a Court of Enquiry, but one when the Grown came forward and said, " Tnese people are guilty of the crime alleged against them and wo undertake to pr»ve guilt upon evidence which is not open to reasonable doubt." It could scarcely be said, even by the proiecution, that on the present occa <ion the evidence adduced proved, without reasonable doubt, tho guilt of thepritonem. His own duty towards tbe jury was merely to aid and assist them in coming to a right conclusion by his training and experience

by calling their attention to those points which weighed either for or against th prisoners. 15ut it was for the jury to de^ cide, his own opinion was nothing. Thej were not bound to accept any of his views; they bad only to consider and attach to them such weight as they thought they

were worth, The questions for their con sideration were threefold ; indeed he might almost say twofold. They were : (1) Has

a crime been committed; if so (2) was it committed by the prisoner Mrs

Hamilton, either alone or together with the prisoner Priestley, and (3) was the crime committed by the prisoner

Priestley, either alone or with the prisoner Mrs Hamilton ? It seemed almost self evident that'a weak woman like the female prisoner, who at the time had only- recov ered from her confinement, and had a sick baby upon her hands, could not, single handed, have committed the crime of murder upon a tall and powerful man struck him down with any lethal weapon, If, however, Priestley committed the crime id her honse, the f tmale prisoner must have been cognisant of the fact. However, they had first to consider whether any crime at all had been committed. The fact that

Hamilton died of fracture of the skull was undoubted, and it was equally clear that he was alive and well up till midnight of the 27th November. The proof of that wound being given by some person rested on the Orown. There were two theories, (1) that it was caused byjen axe or some other simi lar Instrument. Bat as no simitar in«tru luentrwas suggested, the question then was whether it was done wiih an axe. (2) The second was yhether tha wound was acci denial, haying been caused by Hamilton falling against the frame of an iron bed stead. According to the evidence the jury might dismiss from their minds any notion that Hamilton received the., wonnd before coming to his house. It did not appear there was any evidence whatever of the in jury being caused outside the honse. ilia Honor then proceeded to refer to the medical evidence, and in so doing he read portion's of Dr Philson's statement

with respect to the 'probability of the wound having been caused by a fall, aod from that poiut he went oa to contrast with the positive assertion of the other doctirs

what he termed "the extraordinary mix ture of evidence with regard to tha fitting of the axo to the skull," Dr Goldsbro' eay ing that it had only been applied to the ex ternal wound, and Dr Dawaon swearing that he had fitted it to the (kail, while Dr Walker contradicted the other two as to the part of the axe that was fitted. When educated men varied bo greatly in .their accounts of an important event, what could be'expected from ordinary and more ignorant witnesses ? He did not attach any value to Dr. Walker's forgetfillness with respect to the number of bones in the skull and the ■ membranes—skilled professional men were often bazy about some of the rudiment? of their business!. With regard to the alleged contradictory statements of Mra Hamilton be had read them through (about a dozen In all} and he thought the counsel for the defence had stated accur ately that lv none of those statements did there appear an important and material difference. They were such differences as would be accounted for by the place, time* circumstances, state of mind, and the per, sons to. whom they were seve ally made, Mr Macrae, however, eave> an account of a statement made by Mrs Hamilton, which was, to say the leas',. extraordinary. It waa In effect that she hrard her husband groaning, that she went asleep; then there was the tUtement of Mrs Hamilton, senr., and between these two witnesses it was said there waß. a significant agreement. It was possible, however, that they had mixed np with their. recollection of the narrative some other matter. The evidence

adduced to show a criminal intimacy be. '! tween the prisoners amounted to nothing- ' ' >§ more than proof that they had been guilty of indiscretions, and their very openness indicated that there was no real criminal connection between them. He warned the jury against the evidence of Mrs Carnaban, for it was obviously exaggerated by her fancies. Then, as lejatded Priestley. There was no evidence of h» beicg in or about Hamilton's house between 8 o'clock on the evening of the 27th am] the next morning between nine and tea a.m. Here a link was wanting. This was the defect. The jury would remember , that the obligation was upon the prosecu. lion to prove the charge—that fie com | mittcd this crime, or, if the crime were >roved, that it -could not have been done by any other perion. The proof must be sufficient to satisfy tke jury. There was an alibi set up by Priestley's couesel, for the fil i defence, but it was not of a very usualkind, If An ailbi was proved where a person waa* s worn to ba in another place than that where 1$ the prosecution said he was. But in this ill case it had n«t been proved on oath that he was anywhere, The counsel for the defence oE the female prisoner asked which ef the- ' i jury could say oflhand a fortnight after wards where he was on a particular day or i;':^*tll part of a day. The mistake as to date was X quite natural. As to the interrogation by the police, I think such examinations are an unfair end unEnglish mode of proceed ing. In France, where persona suspected of a crime ate examined, they are taken before a proper tribunal. Jf not susptcte* lillfilt as much informitiosMgay be got from them as may be got. He «a not think it was in accordance with the spirit of the English law that suspected persons should be examined in this way. The jury would say what evidence there ' If' was to establish—(l) the commission of a crime; (2) if it was possible that this wound was caused by a fall. Thsa, in the latter case, the jury would be bound to acquit because any other mode of cauting it had not beeu proved. Whoevar gave the wound to Hamilton that night—if Jt was aiy*n by another person—the * female prisoner must have known it. She could net be ignorant of it. If the wound was given tbat night the only penon oug.' Ii BI gesred as the guilty cause of it fa Priestley. Were they satisfied that he was there at all that night ? Was there an* evidence to such effect ? Wa3 there not «n absolute want of tha link to conmct him with the crime—namely, the proof that be ', was there? If they were satisfied that Priestley was at the house that night, and tbat murder was committed, they were not to hesitate from coming to a verdiot by any regard for the consequences. If a crime was committed it was one of the ino3t atrocious ever heard of—a foal and adulterous murder. On the other hand, if they had any reasonable doubt «r ' | [j to the sufficiency of the evidence -if they were satisfied that it did not clearly prom the prisoners' gnilt, they were equally bound not to convict. A verdict of "Not guilty " simply meant tbat the prosecution ';, hid not proved that the pii-oners perpe- | trated the murder. f \ The jury retired at 4.50. J }'{!! They returned at 5.56, finding a verdict of " Wot guilty." Tbe sentence was beard in perfect ' , X', silence, and both prisoners at once Bit down, Mrs Hamilton covering her ftca with her hand. They were obliged to rim again when His Honor, in discharging them, said—"Prisoner Thomas "'Foley^2t|i it Collan Priestley, and piisocor Mati»n Robertson Hamilton,—Tne jury nave found you not guilty of the criihe ' of wilful murder with which you are t charged. Before discharging you, 1 wish'to cay just one word, viz., that you brought ~ I yourselves into this position by youronn '>'~ foolishnods. You, Priestley, by unbecom- ■ j ■ ing familiarities with a married womai, \ and by attempting to account for you '" absence that fatal night by lying. It baa been unfortunate for you. Aa for you 2$ Marion Robertson Hamilton, it was by . - your Indiscreet familiarities with an unmarried man, and by talking te your friends foolishly about your family troubles. I hope this case will be a warn ing to yon, as well as to others, not to bt guilty of such indiscretions. You are now I discharged. The Court was densely packed at the time, and a few persons hooted, but other wise there was no manifestation of feeling. The frienis of the accused procured cabs for ih«m, and they were driven off separ ately in the direction of Newton, tho assembled crowd groaning and hooting vigorously I he while.

This Day.

His Honor took his seat on the Bench. t 10 o'clock. Alleged Attempted S&po, "Winifred W. Gudgeon turrendercd to ! his bail, and was arraigned upon an indict' ment charging him with having on the 21st December, 1882, »t the Thames, assaulted Elizabeth. Davis Ehrenfried with intent to ravish her. There was a second count charging him with indecently assail! and a third count charging him with a com* mon assault. The prisoner pleaded " Not Ciillty." Mr Tyler was associated with the Crown Prosecutor for the prosecution, whilo Mes»rs E, Hesketh and Theo. Coeper appeared fur the defence The following jurors ime empannelled to try the cate, while nearly twice as miay mora were challenged :— Neil Campbell, James Wylie Hahii, James Blaikie, James Allen, James C John Grant, George Chignell, Andrew -,'*'■ Carlyle, Frederick Whitehead, Cboilcj Septimus Clark, John Corrrwell, and Joseph *Scott. •■ The Crown Prosecutor counsel openc case, and then called Daniel Henry Bayl don, who deposed,. I am an authorised surveyor, residing at the Thames, lprc pared a plan cf the grounds aod houij£j|| (produced), It is drawn from scale;' Elizabeth Davis Ehrenfiled depos»d: I am the wife of juouis Ehrenfried, a braver, p 'J residing at the Thames, at tha corner tf Mary and Maekay-streets. I remembprj;^ the2lst December; we wcic living '!.<>' then. I was. at home that evenin ;bi myself ; Mr Ehrenfried had gone out, hi<L I did not know where, but I expected'hiarj-sf into tea a little late. I was keeping two servants at that time, but they had go !' a concert of the Naval Brigade. I Lid given them permission to fro. The en rl was for the benefit of a poor woman. 1 -I- sitting in the' parlour (indicated on plau). It is a centre' room, and con tained chair*, tables, a conch, and a bookcase. Theconch was under the window. The plan shews where it v that evening as well as a large round labll which stood in a corner of tho room at i'iC foot ot the plan, While I was silting t'u-p between 8 and 9 o'clock I heard a kno Ie '.) the frsnt door. I answered it and f the accused standing there. The < o stood ajar. He said: " Gocl oven !• •,'' and walked into the parlonr shewn on h plan, I did nst ask him to walk innor i! .1 offer any objection to his comingin. T "i'J known'him aDout two yean bofor i knew both ha aad his wife—we w«e on visiting terms. He and his vrifa visited ua very often. I sbeuld think he knew the htnse very1 well, for ,'^||fj h«d been tfiere at parties and other thioglfl. ji In our other house he and his wife bm-,

child and setvaot stayed with us twW during the time they were flooded out. I cannot say whetheren any previses >'"'";• sibn he had walked into the name in »nra a way. I wa* not surprised, because nj a*d his wife were on visiting terms, »"!; had stayed with vi. I did not expect idns, Wfeen he entiredl went in and *at down again on the sofa.-leaving the door nn«hub He stood by the round table already re ferred to, and ■ told me hia wiw. had gone to Aackland the day before ; that her mother kad come down and• different subjects like that. Then, alter a.litlw conversa' i»n, he asked me where Mr Enron fried was. Issld thst hehadgonoout, but that I expected him back every minute. He then sst down on the sofa, at the '00' of it, towards the table j the head of a being towards the door. It utoddfcloie up to the wall, right uader the window. The window is rather high and thß sill is there' fore a good distance abore the s-ta He then put bss urn around my wast. 'j pushed him ft way and tried to- moTe, bail ceuld not. ■ I Bald that 1 was a<tonl»neo, andi that I would tell my hnsband direer'J? I he came in. 1 did nofrmove, becauto Iwu be!d by his hand. He laughed at what I said, and rematked that«l would-not leU him that night as ho was on. the whatt. and had seen him j»o to Aucklsnd by toe Bt'araer. While he wai saying this Iww stilt trying to get away, He did not »»J anymore just then. He pushed, me over on the sofa on to my back. 'In ibat po.itloa I could not Bee out of the window. «c then undressed himself by nnfa<teni*g I"8 trousers in front. I was still trying to got up, ra'lfng our, and atlemptiog to mos> but I could not as I was htld dtwn 6y »3S h»nd upon my chest. Fe was leaningowr [.• me, with the other band he was, trying >'> take uy my clothes, I was screaming then, |j for help, Bcreamfng loudly, bnt he. «».:Sh "You teednot scream, I'll iio as well.** X Ehrenfried. to-night." Then two pen-ei* rushed into the* room At fir»t * coald not see who they were, Mr

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAK. FHIDAY. JANUARY 2C



Special Advertisements] BAISK HOLIDAY. Notice Is hereby; given that MjONDAY,the 29th January, betas? the ANNIVERSARY ot the PROVINCE 0? ATJOKIiAiND. will be hsld as a SPKOIAL BANK HJaUDAI1 at the ADOKtjAND BRANOHKSotfce utderßlgned BASK 3- '. ■ f I I For tha nNIOS (BANK OB" AUSTRALIA I ■ ■ • Chlai Officer. A» the BA«K Or NEW BOUTO WAI*- Inspector. jm^.BANKOFAU^BA^3IA iDBPtCtW. For the NATIONAL BANK OF NKW ZKA iDspeotor. For the COLONIAIi BANK OF NKW ZBA LAND ~ GKORGK OOWW, General Manager. iFortheBANDOFNBWZKA^ND \ Goneral Maoager. Anoklanfl. Jan. 20.1883. .



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An extraordinary meeting of the New Zealand Insurance Company was held this afternoon, (Mr S. Brown prasidiog,) when the following resolution parsed at a previ ous meeting was confirmed.—"That tbe Articles of Association be altered as fol lows :— To omit irom clause 36 'the words and July, and to substitute the word month for months. —To add clause 106A, the Dirfetors may, whenever they may deem it expedient so-to do, and declare an interim diridtnd, to bo paid to the shareholders in proportion to their shares.—To' omit from clause 116 the word twice, and substitute therefor the word once, omit the word six,- and substitute ,the word twelve. —To 'omit from clause 119 the worfls.fteice in," 1 "Sewing Machines— D, S, Chambflre,,^)p. poslte the Bank of New Zealand,-[ADVT.]