SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

•man w a Tim. This Evening. U HIGH WATER J To . morrow Morning, 1.15 HUNSET.-ThiS Evening. IA3 BUNRISE,—To-morrow Morning, 6 57 MOON'S AGE.—New Moon, 25th, 10.1G a-m.

ARRIVALS.

Waihora, s.s., Edic, from tho South

DEPARTURES.

YESTBBDAY. - -", ' Hawk, Gov. schooner, 'Jacobs, fora cruise

Vessels Expected.

Loxdon.-Doi-ic, s.s., sailed May 1; Dot a, barque, N.S.T.I. January 21; Oru_adcr, barque, H.'C.l_RTFebruAo*^Gl<'*lco-' jaro','M', G* ' March 3; Laics,, barque, April J; Glenrasa, ship, W.T.M.IC. March 18; Wanganui, ship, .May 2; Otaki, shin, loading. NEW YO__.-Claribel, bawiuo. W.51.5.K. (via Wellingcm), January 21; Irene (via Duncdin/, March 31; Nettie (via Wellington), loading. Java.—Manhegan. barque, sailed March 31; Maroon, barque, and Thames, baraue, to follow. China.—Androklas, barque, early. ; . Ham Fkancisco. — Senator, barque, soiled Australia. — Clansman, brigantine, from Hockhampton; Look Ont, bngontine, and Adelaide, schooner, from Sydney. , Southern Pouts.—Star of the Mcreey. brig, Marshall S„ brigantine and Stanley, brigantine, from Oamaru; Yolande. sch., from Timaru; Wave, brig, from Duncdin. South Ska Islands.—Louie, schooner, from Long Island; Ada C. Owen, brigantine, from Karotonga.

IMPORTS.

Per Waihora, from Southern ports—oo kegs nails, 218 pkgs tcafi'M pkgs sugar, 20 gas stoves, ill lengths pipe, 200 bags rice, 15 bags ttmapca, 19 bags pepper. 5 casks spirits, 5 plotgis. 0 carriages, 10 bullocks, 200 sheep.s2 hhqffbucr 10 sacks grass seed, 113 sacks onions, 1,157,£-cl;s wheat, 18G sacks potatoes, 100 sacks boana,{l,El sacks oatmeal. 198 sacks (lour, 08 pkgs macl-hreaj 2til packages, 30 cases meats, iOO boxes can_l|j§ 21 casks oil, 100 eases ginger ale. 63 c__w tobacco, 10 bundles rattans, 125 drums oil, 220 pkgs ex Aotangi, 00 pkgs ex British King, 12 pkgs leather, 95 j*gs sundries.

Per Presto—l,lls sacks oats.—G. S. Jakins.

Somo anxiety, is felt for tho safety of the barque Coorong. which left Port Chalmers for Bluff on April 20th, and has not Btnco been hoard of.

The barque Himalaya will complete discharg ing at the Sugar Company's Wharf about Wednesday, after which she will bo borthed at Queen-street Wharf.

The following nro the dates of departure of vessels consigned to the Colonial Sugar Com pany, from China and Java, for Auckland :— Androklos, from Amoy (China). March 20th i Maroon, from Java, April 3rd ; Manhegan, from Java, about April 12th ; Thames, loading.

Tho s.s. Waihora left Melbourno May 7, Bluff May 12, Duncdin Mar 14 arriving at Lyttolton on May 15, Wellington Mny 16, Napier 17. ond Giiborno May 18. Left anchorage off Gisborne at noon, arriving alongsido Of the whslrf nt Auckland at 1.30 pm. to-day. Experienced fresh northerly winds with moderate sea and lino woathor to arrival at Bluff. From thon to arrival at Wellington fresh northerly winds with fine weather, arid from thence to arrival at Auckland light variable winds with fine woathcr Met ss. Ringnroolna-'at Napier. Passengers—Sir George, (irey. Dr. Gillespie, Messrs Auld. Aubshrnok: Captain 'Mayno, Sturt, Chamberlain, Frn.or, Faulkner, Good, Clarkson, Stewart, Gold. Grlflllh, Baxter, Phinps, Davy, Bin-ham, Wl P„nr_, Hughes, Arthur, Train, Cargo, Smith, McLean. David son. McLean, Robertn. Linrt, Flygar. Hanson. Stanfleld, Spoolin. Ooult. Newman. Mesdames Jamos, Anderson. Evans, Faulkner. Flaneur, Davidson, Auld, Stuart, Hast ings and 2 children, MoKurdie, Rigg, Poolen, Hunt, Honsen, Misses Clarkson, Moloney, Smith, M^nsell, Davy, Evans, Binney. Dunn. Riggs, Day, Robertson, Dunlop, Mathins (2), and 5. steerage. ' We are indebted to Mr. Arthur Crawford for press parcols, report, &c..

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Rotorua, s.s., Anderson, from tho South Hannah Mokau, s.s., Dale, from Waitara

DEPARTURES.

Stormbird, s.b., Doile, for Wellington and way ports Hannah Mokau, s-s., Dale, for Waitara

Thi Union ""o.'s s.s. Rotorua arrived from South;rn Ports nt 3 am. jester, a', with 120" sacks barley 105 hales hops. 220 eases jam. 50 sacks malt. 31 ko.s butter, 31'pks-s sundries, and the followingpasseiipr r.-s:—Mo.'Brs Grej-BO;, Brooke; Sutton. Grant. Felloes: (2), Marshall, Burgoyne. Oliver. Manton. Shicl's. Jar.kson, Coates, Downing, Dudley, Chilcopt. Stncl, and Hoopor, Mi .eaOrovo., Brown(3). John .on,and Lowe, Mesdames BrooKO, Burgoyne, Oooddall, Harley, Grant (IS). ..ml ] I in the stcrr_ge.

Tho s.s. Stormhlrd loft, for Wellington and way ports at 1 o'clock yesterday, with 3GO nests pipes. 10 cases drajiery. 25 packages sundries, and Misso. Coi3on and CaDel, Mrs Anderson and family (2), Mossrs Derby. Lonegon. Mus- Krovo, Mullins, Walker, Hawkins, and Naughton as passengers.

The s.s. Hannah Mokau arrived from Wa'tara at 11 o'clock this morning, with 20 cattle, 133 sheep, 4 kegs and 1 rases butter. She left again for Waitara at 3 o'clock.

The Northern Co.'s steamers Argyle and Douglas had not arrived up to 1 o'clock.

The Union Co.'s B.s. Rotorua leaves for the South to-morrow at _ o'clock. Latest train for passongers, 2 p.m.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Accident to a Steamer.

■Blenheim, this day.—The Walhl mot with un accident in coming up the river on Saturday morning, and was unable to reach town. The cylinder cover is gone, tho piston rod is broken, and sovernl bolts broken. The mnchinery has been taken out and sent over to Wellington by tho Mohnkn. The accident will necessitate the Waihi laying up for several days. ,' I Wellington, yesterday. — Arrived: May, schooner, Forbes, (il days from Hong Kong. Pout Cualmkhs, yesterday. — Sailed: Aorangl. for London, with f.OOO carciscs mut ton, 22,1)00 sacks wheat, , _0 bales wool. .Bfcins, and leather, ISS casks sperm oil; total vnluo, £27,567. This day.—Arrived : Waimato. ship, Moray, from I<ondon. Tho Waimate's passage occupied 101 (!uys. She spoke the barque Embleton, from Auckland to London, in lot. OS,

Bluff, this day.—Arrived: Ta.Anau. from Melbourno. Saloon passengers:—Captain and Mrs Lawronce, Mrs Hart, Mrs Steinding and child, Mossrs Cranwell and Messrß Wrlgjey. ,

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

Mails ___. Globe as underi—

This Day. For Thames, por Anno Milbank. at 1.30 p.m. For Bussell, Kawakawa, Whangaroa, and Mongonul, per Glenelg, at 5 p.m. Foe'Tauranga, Ohlnomutu, and Opotlkl, per Wellington, at 5 p.m. For Whitiangi and Upper Mill, por Rowena, at 5 p.m. For Whonptaroi Heads, Whangarel, Kamo, and j • Mangapui, por Waltaki. at o p.m. ; Tuesday, 2Cth Inst. For Watcrford, Tauranga, etc., per Rotoma hana. at 7.30 ;uin. For Thames, por Rotomahana. at 8 a.m. For Waiwcra, Kawau, Omaha, Matokana, and Warkworth, por Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Waitara and Southern Ports, por Douglas, at 11 a.m.- . For New Plymouth and Southern ports, per Rotorua, at 1 p.m. For Hoklanga. _tc. por Argylc, at 11 a.m. Per Waihora, as follows ;— -~,;. I*or Russell, Kawakawa, Australian Colonies and Unitoa Kingdom, via Suez and Brindlsi, or Naples, for letters, etc.. specially bo prepaid and addressed, at 1 p.m. ■' For Lyttelton. Canterbury, and Otago, per Penguin, at 5 p.m. For Whangarei Heads, Parun, Wainu, Whan garel, Kamo, and Mangapai, per Maogregor, at 5 p.m; . ■ ~ Toksdat, 27th Inst, . .■ j Por Zealandia, as|oUows;— ! Foe1 Hanawion' Blands, United States of America. Cann'da, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign Wost Indies, at 1 p.m. , , For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe at 1 p.m. .:,*'. ,-.'-:■") For money orders, registered Jotters and nowspapors, at 11.30 sum. '•'■'■■ Lato letters, bearing an extra foe of six-, pence in addition to t,l_ postage, will be received by the Mail Agent on board the Btcamor up to tho time of sailing This.mail-will bo tlno in Tendon on Sat urday, July 5,1881, —- - ..-..,_..-— A Pogt-olllco has been opened at Wnltakorol: mails will close daily at fi a.m., return mails will bo received daily nt.7.3_,p.m. N.B.—The s.s. Aoninjji will leave Wellington, for London, via Rio dp Janeiro and Plymouth, on Thursday. 29th instant. Expected passago, forty-two days.

f*. B. BISS, Chlpf Postma.or, Chlof Post-ofHr.e. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

* MAY 19, 1«3I. ' ■QeaJjß. Royal-Hon. Maier Atkinson's PJifflßl Address, 8 jvnv. . AbboMte Opera House-*- Rob Roy," 8 D.m. Newton Athontmim-St. I!en«diet'« Mlseol lancoHs Concert, 8 p.m.

Ch_falHall—Mc Ralph-Hood- G.an. Even ing Obricerfc, S p.m. Avondajo Ct_okotev_ Ball, Public Hall,*. jnn_ Hall—Gospel Ternpei'ahce Mis- Bio!_r"flsHptration Hervico, r.50 p.m. * a_^«pilchr«>'s .chool-room, Symonds-atrcot —___B_lfe on "Socrates" by Mr Fidler, 7.15 p.m.

Births.

CRAIG.—On May 17, at !_r mother's residence, Franklin Road, tlio wife of M. Craig, North cm Wail _.i, ot a daughter. Roth doing well. FOLEY.—On May 18th. at her residence, Pcrient Farm,llowick, tho wife of Thomas Foley of a son. MATHIKSON.-On May 15th, at Her .osidencto. Rcmvora, tho wito of C. 11. Ma'tliicson of 4 son.

Deaths.

ALtSON.-Oli May 18. Nt Devpnpor. Roderick, the third son of Ewen William and Annie Alison, from blood poisoning through vac cination; aged It) months. Private interment on 20th inst., at 11 o'clock. CROWE.-On May 18, Emily Haywanl Crowe eldest daughter of Mr P. Crowe; aged 18 years. The funeral willleavehct'falhcr'sresidonoo, Hobßon-Btreet, to-morrow (I .osdoy), 3..'i0 p.h». Friends are respectfully invited to attend. HAMPSHIR_.-On May li). ot his late resi dence, Wynyard Road, Stonoyhurat, Mohnt Eden, George Hampshire; aged 69 years. The funeral will leave the above address to morrow (Tuesday), at 3 o'clock. Friends ure respectfully invited to attend. HUNTER. - O. Sunday. May 18th, 1.31. (t Parnell. Arthur Edward, youngest son ot Frederick and Kate Hunter; aged. 10 week..

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

MONDAY, MAY 19, 1881.

For the cause that lacks assistance. For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance. And the good that we can do.

Tiik construction of a canal between Auck land and Onohunga is a topic which crops out continually, the writers in its favour being usually thoso who have land interests on ono or other of tho alternative linos for tho proposed canal, or clso havo failed to mako thomsol.es acquainted with what lias beon done in the past in this matter. A cor respondent signing " Amicus" writes today: " Strangers visiting Auck'nnd often express surprise at Auckland people taking no stops to connect the YVaitemata and Onehunga by means of a canal, especially as it lies in a direct lino from I'anama to Australia. As editors of newspapers aro looked upon as walking oyclopa'dias, will you or any of your correspondent, inform tho readers of the Stak what steps wero taken for that purpose in tho old provincial days, as if I miatako not somo reserves wore set apart for the benefit of the proposed canal." It is true that tho Provincial Government caused reports to bo made, tho result being, we beliovo, that two proposal woro con sidered feasible—one to connect by way of the Tamaki, where the Isthmus is narrowest, but which would entail cutting through tho mud flats of the Manukau ; the other is a canal from tho uppor waters of Waitemata harbour, across tho Isthmus at the Whau to deep water on the Manukau, avoiding tho mud Hats. Sinco tho Provincial Govern ment ceased to concern itself with the project, the Harbour Board have looked into it. Tho result of their investigations was decidedly adverse to tho schemo. Such a canal is advocated chiefly in connection with the Panama route to tho Australasian colonies. Hut the steamers in that trado will bo largo ocoan-going vessels, to which the Manukau bar otl'ors an almost impassible barrier. According to tho estimates made by tho Harbour Board, tho work of cutting the canal and deepen ing the Manukau Harbour so as to permit of the transit of large Tessels would cost at least half a million sterling, and when comploted it was probable that tho risks of tho Manukau would increaso insurance and canal dues so as to prevent thocanal from being used to any great extent. Tho saving in distanco is very much loss than most people suppose. Although from Auckland to Onehunga by way of the North Cape is a distanco of about 350 milos, vessels coming from or going to Sydney would offect a sav ing of only 70 or SO miles by going into the Manukau instead of coming on here. This is so inconsiderable that masters of vessels would prefer continuing the Voyage for the additional 80 miles to reach n tirst clasß and safo harbour like Auckland, which can bo entered by night, rather than risk tho navigation of a difficult harbour liko tho Manukau. Tho caving to vessels going direct to and from Molbourno would bo greater, but this trade is hardly considerable onough to war rant an expenditure of half a million of money. Even if it wero possible to get a good permanent channel at Manukau Heads for 4,000 ton steamers—and the shifting sands about tho present channels render that improbable—the approaches aro ex ceedingly dangerous, The following ex tracts from the directions furnished by tho Harbour Master (Captain Wing) to " Brett's New Zealand Pilot, will indicate the un improvable character of these dangers :— " As Manukau Harbour is situated on an open and exposed coast, with shifting banks at a distance of three miles from the land, the harbour has so many dangers as te make it imperatively necessary for atten tion being paid to the latest local direc tions, and tho greatest caution being observed by tho mariner. No one, unless thoroughly acquainted with the local signals, should attempt to enter the Manukau _ ithefot a pilot ; the lead should be constantly kopt going." A further caution is that "in thick weather great oaro should be taken in approaching the shoals, which extend so far from tho Manu kau Head." "The tides aro strong and have a tendency to set over the shoals, which in a measure causes the channels to shift either to S.E. or N.W., but as a rule thoy do not shift suddenly. The Fanny Channel gonerally has only two fathoms (12 feet) of water in the contra at low tide, and the South Channel 16 feet, yet in most cases there is less sea in the Fanny Channel thaa in the South during strong westerly winds. Care must be taken when approaching the Emma Bank, as the sound ings decrease very quickly to 6 or 8 feet at low water." The tides rise at the Heads 12 feet at springs and 9 feet at neaps.. From a consideration of these facts it will be observed that tho project of a.canal con necting the Waitemata and Manukau ia a chimerical scheme in the present position of the city : what may happen when a dense population covers tho entire isthmus of Auokland is, of course, another matter al ;tegother. it seems almost certain, from tho geological formation of tho isthmus, that in tlio distant past tho waters of the eastern and western seas flowed freely to each other. Volcanic action (of which thero are so many remarkable traces on tho isthmus) came in and sepa rated the seas. In the nearer but still dis tant future the wants of man will cause them to be joined together again, but that may not bo in our day. The almighty dollar governs every undertaking of the sort in theso days, and the voico of the financial augurs is against the project at present.

Insolvency of a Prudential Mutual Benefit Society.

Durincj Mr Frankland's visit to Auokland on business connected with the working of our Friendly Societies, wo laid stress upon the need for Government supervision over all Societies guaranteeing benefits to work ing men... The recent failure of tho Pruden tial Mutual Benefit Society of Vic toria, which had a branch in Auck land,' affords an instance of the way ins ' which- working men may be robbed by such societies—the ; provision which they had laid up against sickness and death failing themselves and their families in the hour of need. An indignant meeting of policy-holders was held in Mel bourne on the 30th tilt., about 60 being present, when a statement was submitted showing that the manager had submitted a falsified balance-Bheet to the shareholders at their last meeting, and that a warning from the consulting actuary declaring that the Society was insolvent had been disregarded; the Committee, continuing to take new policios which they knew could not be met. In tho course of the statement detailing the position of the Society, it was mentioned that "one of the greatest embarrasments to the Society was the starting of a branch society at Auckland, New Zealand, where policies for £1,000 eacli were accepted, notwith standing the rules stated that tho largest policy must not exceed £200." Tho Chairman eaid :—" A moro incapable man than Mr Nicholls never managed a society. When the affairs of the Society became mixed, Mj

Grahani Berry, Jl-.t-.A., and Mr Ctithbott. M.L,C^ both trustees, resigntidj and hatl nothing more to do with tho Society. . We have had 1? el.be.zlotvtcnts, and,only t\vd' reliable aftont."

A ;tro:!g feeling Was expressed that Mi' Nicliolls, Hi? manager, ' ought to bo prosecuted, sev-cral shareholders declaring that although pool., they would coalfit'iito toivarda thtf law expenses. Finally, a resolution was carried for tho winding-up of theSocictj', the question of prosecuting the manager being left in abevanc _. Of all swiridle. IhCtii.' purnotrjited by societies trading upon the hard-earned money of pjor men are tlio most heartless. The failures of the.'o societies injure providential institutions everywhere by disheartening working men who had begun to lay by for a raiuV day, The lesson _f thi. failutQ. is one; hon'eV.F, that should help rather than injure tho established Orders of Friendly Societies whose powerful organisations amd principles of mutual help are a guaran tee to their membors of security for the sick benefits they promise. While thoy exist, togetherwith Government benclit insurance, do not sco why working men in New Zealand should look abroad for institutions ljkethe Victorian Prudential Benefit Society in which to plftco their savings.

Wo are requested to state that as His Excellency (he Governor will bo obliged to leavo Auckland earlier than ho expected, Lady Jervois's "At Home," for which in vitations havo boon issued, will take place on Friday, 2_rd -May, itlstead of Tuesday, 27th inst. It is hoped that ladies and gentlemen who have received invitations will accept this announcement as asulliciont intimation of the alteration in dato.

Sir Goorgo Grey arrived from tho South in tho Waihora to-day. Sir Georgo will probably address hi. constituents in Aitek- East in a few days, and may also deliver an address at tho Thames, lie intends going back to Gisborno before tho oponing of Parliament.

It will be seen from a cablegram that the Australian Eloveti has sustained its first reverse in England, having been defeated by the Oxford Eloven by seven wickets. Tho third match of tho series was to havo boon commenced on tlio Oval to-day against Surrey.

The membors of tho Auokland Trades and Labour Council havo beon invited by Major Atkinson to tako their seats on tho platform at tho meeting in the Theatre Royal tonight. A report gained tHtrroney in town to-day to tho effect that soitto of tfio men employed on the tramway works had " struck" bet ft ifio of tlio non-payment of wages. Cpon inquiry, we woro informed by Mr O'Brien that tho rumour is wholly without foundation. The soi vices of somo of the mon wero dispensed with because thoy wero no longer required, but Mr O'Brien says they havo all beon paid tho wages duo to them.

In our obituary columns to-night thero apjieais the announcement of tho death of the infant daughter of Mr E. W. Alison of North Shore. The cause of death is some what peculiar,, and tho case deserves the attention of parents as well as of medical men. About eight months ago the child, then eight months old, was vaccinated. Up till that tune tho infant had been in good health, nnd appeared to be of sound consti tution. Within Imlf-an.houi- alter the operation there was mote irritation than is usually apparent after three days, and in four days the body of tho child turned quite black, the feet swelled badly, and tho eyes came out until in a lino with the eye-brows, while a film spread over the pupils." All I heso symptoms convinced tho parents that tlio child was suturing from blood-poi..oiiiiij;, and Dr. Philsi U, in conjunction with Dri Parkinson, treated the little sufferer, but tho disease baflled their skill. The arm into which the vnccino mutter wns intro duced became one whole soto, and eruptions next appeared on the head. Despite tlio utmost skill and attention, tho child con tinued to sink, and finally died last night. The medical man who performed the process of vaccination says that tho lymph housed was quite pure ; but tho terrible sufferings of tho little ono should impress upon parents and physicians the noccssity of exercising the greatest care in the vnccination'of chil dren.

Tho Governor's l'rivato Secretary has in formed tho Committee of tlio Leap Year Reunion that His Excellency intonda to return'to Wellington ut an curlier dato than was anticipated, and that on this account Lady Jervois's "At Home" will havo to take placo on May 2., which was the day fixed for tho Rounion. As most of those taking part in tho Reunion will bo guests of Her Ladyship, this entertainment -frill bo postponed. The date of tho postponement will oo notified shortly.

Mr Hood's concert w to take placo this evening in tho Choral Hall under the patron age of His ExCollency the Governor. Mr Hood is woll known n« an accomplished pianist, and his popularity will no doubt secure for him a bumper house. The pro gramme is ono of tho best wo havo scon. Mr Hood will play tho " Pathetiquo" sonata, two selections by Chopin, two fantasias by Li/.t, and Mr T, Wood's prize compositioni Two trios for piano, violin, and cello aro among tho attractions, and a choioo selection ot songs by lady nnd gentle man amateurs,

"Mater" writes in reply to "Pater"! —^" Allow mo to state that I never said or thought tho sorvants wero oncouraged by the matron of the Homo to demand higher wages than thoy are worth. Certainly, if they refuso good situations at wages equal to their merits, thoy will always be without means, and therefore candidates for admission, and then kopt gratuitously. I stated that tho girl said they (the girls) had made up thoir minds not to accept less than ,a certain wage, and this apparently regardless of their capabilities, which in many instances aro simply nil. Under such circumetancos thoy ought not to bo led to understand they could got a free homo, but content themselves in thoir situations. Notwithstanding ' Pater's ' ' ollieial' utterances, I am not quite so certain that all of them havo fully satisfied thoir em ployers."

Tho favourite drama of "Bob Roy" was produced ou Saturday ovoning in Abbott's Opera House, to a largo " house." This pieoe seldom fails to please, more especially when produced by such a good all-round company aa that which is now holding the boards at Abbott's. Tho dialect was the one weak point in Satur day's periormance; but this will he remedied by a littlo praetico. Mr Gieville takes tho part of the inimitable Bailio Nicol Jarvie, and pom-trays is admirably, while the other leadingroles aro apportioned as follows :—Rob Roy, Mr XV. G. Carey; Rashleigh Osbaldistouo, Mr Cates ; Francis Osbaldistoue, Mr Walton; "tho Dugal cratnr," Mr Tolano; Helen Macgrogor, Miss Fit.roy; Diana Vernon, Miss A. Woolridge;. and Mattio, Miss Watt- Phillips. The play was well presented and mounted—ono scene, with a real waterfall, being very effective. All the actors did woll in their respective parts ; but a special word of praise should bo givon to Miss Fitzroy whoso Helen Macgrogoi (albeit her first appearance in that character) was a most creditable and able portraiture. " Rob Roy" is to bo produced again to night, when a first-class performance may be expected.

Mr F. W. Pennefathor (His Excellency the Governor's Private Secretary) deliverod a highly interesting leoturo entitled, "My Ramble through Algeria," in the Parnell Hall, on Saturday evening, Sir G. M. O'Rorke being in the chair. Tho proceeds were stated to be in aid of the fund for erecting a parsonage at St. Mary... Mr Ponnefather then proceeded with his lecture, graphically describing tho char acteristics of Algeria, and rapidly sketch ing:; its history from the time of the Carthaginians and Romans through the sway of the Arabs down to its position at the present day as a French dependency. It hkd proved an expensive acquisition, having already cost 1-120,000,000 and IaO.OOO lives. The European population was now 420,000, of whom littlo more than half are French. The lecturer went on to speak of the culti vation of olives, grapes, oranges, &c.; tho making of roads and railways; and to contrast tho French colonies with English ; giving also the reasons for the superiority of tho latter. Ifc then pro ceeded with a personal narrative of travol, describing Orac and the littoral plain in tho N.W. of Algeria, tho gardens of Blidah, a visit to the cedar forests, and the city and neighbourhood of Algiers. Aftercontrasting Mohammedanism and Christianity, he passed on to speak of tho French missions, the old town of Bongie and its Roman ruins, the gorge of the Ohabot, the city of Constantine, mentioning incidents in its capture by the French, and of a visit to tlio Hummum. -" Mesquitin "—the Rotomahana of Algeria. He also described the pre historic monuments of Rokuia, and the ruins of Tibilis, the modern town of Bone, and tho ruins of Hippo Regius (the scene of St. Augustine's labours). The lecture was attentively listened to, and at its close votes of thanks were passed to Mr Ponnefather and the Chairman.

. At a meeting t'f those interested in tiib' formatipn Of a Mercantile MatinoMsSd-ia tiOn heidotl Satut... evchitig; Jfr D. H. McHeijrio pi-esiditig, "tlie CofilMtfe's rti pdt't .Wis v.it_Li.L„. A s'ie:_-.y!*__. formed toh. -iil_ilt:Ho " ;Mei'e_nfu3#t-'.rl_. As sociation of Now Zealand.- *'■" Electi.n of: officers anQ other pt\_im_Ma&y business Was . adjotJrf.gd,_ntil Wed<ie.-_djpitiftetp66n, ,

To the' Editor : Sir, —_&*^irec_ ioPpcSl' tiori to the balderdash whiejjjf has been l'tely uttered ' here, J incline ■to think the G-___fen!. ]_•>_...>\y Inn- . bete .father too liberal in spending English blood _h*J English money in defending the wretched, the cowardly, the impecunious Egyptians ; but, you know, the enemy will iii.__.ii- some.-., thing '"and will say anythiiio.— I am, &c, .w.b.B. .. ■. . ■ _n" :>:•.-■ ' Vending (lissoliitiiju ,oLl_ l'UiDrs_ipj.--*tt moneys owing to H. Davison and Co., H<iy' market, Queen-street,', are. to.be paid into the Colonial.Bank of New Zealand to tho creditof Mr.Aloxandor, solicitor.

•Mr Brookes, whose, portraits by the ''crystal ivory type" pt'oce's. lidvti oxcitod tlio adrairiltipn of all ..'.-.id littvo eeo'tl tlle_i; is executing a portrait of His Excellency the Governor ill that stylo of art, to the order of that gentleman.

Messrs'Macdoriald',': Carey, Walton and Company have received a loasb of the Prin cess's Theatre, Duncdin, and tlio Koynl, in Christchurch. Judging from tho novelties they havo introduced to Auckland folks, wo can look forward to a dramatic treat, as no doubt after they have finished with tho South thoy will pay us a visit. Wo bo lievo (hut thoy have arranged for the latost London and Australian successes.

"Visitor " writes that he trusts tho Hospital Committee will alter tlio regula tion which at present limits tho visits of friends and relations to a few hours weekly -, that country visitors are not, as a rule, awaioof this., triugontlimitation, which must be an unpleasant ono to the patients, and that the regulation is notono warranted or usual, mora particularly when the Hospital is situated some,distance from town. Altogothcr, " Visitor " adds, a littlo more veritiUltita 111 Hospital matters, and tho relativo jwsition of poor friondless patients, is urgently needed. '■■

The American evangelists, Phelps and Donnan, havo been during tlio past week holding a'scries :6f servicos in the Wcsleyan Chapel at Arqh Hill,. Tliiseven: ing, however, they make ,a digression, taking as their theme thesubject of Temper ance. It is Mpected that Mrs Doririail will sing some new temperance melodies. As this subject is.ono of great popularity in that thriving suburb;' they expect to hare n good congregation.

Yesterday evening tho residents of Ellerslio were treated to an cxtiollont sermon' by Mr Carr, from tho words, "Run with patience, looking unto Jbsus." This gentleman's delivery is a great improve ment en the very commonplaco uttbrehces of tlioso who.usually preach in this district,; anil was duly appreciated by his hoarere;'

Professor Alilis will deliver a lecture tiiis evening bofuto tho Wellesloy-strcot Baptist Mutual Improvomont Society. -Thesiibjsct is, " Recollections of TraVels.n Germany," which cannot fail to prove Instructive and entertaining. The (octuro is to,bo given in tho school-room, commencing at _ o'clock, and tho public aro invited to bd prespnt. A private lottor received •at Dunedin from Fiji gives some interesting particulars concerning the Colonial Sugar Refining Company, which is perhaps the largest sugar-growing company in existence. It owns several largo mills and plantations'.n Queensland and a refinery in Sydney, in addition to tlio mill and plantations in Fiji of which the writer speaks. In Fiji tho employes of tho Company number L" .$, _' whom li,"> uro Europeans, Hi) 3 coolies, "ifiO Polynesians, and IDS Fijians. During tho crii.hing reason (from May to Dccembor) there are in constant use two steam tug boats and four steam launphos j also 40 iron punts, capable of carrying from-50 So 100 tons each ; whilst -iO additional punts aro in course of construction. Tlio Fijian mill last.soa.on was able to turn out ..0 tons of sugar per day, and extensions now being completed will render it capable of an out put of 100 tons per day.

Mr (.'lias. Blight delivered last night bofo.o a- crowded audience in tho Lot-ne xt ieet I fall hi* advertised lobturo entitled

"A Reply to the Question, ' What do Wo (Jive in its Place." Mr William Cooper (President) occupied tho chair. After a song by Miss Alice Campbell, and a part song by tho howly-formea choir, Mr Bright was briefly introduced by tho Chair man, tiinl at once began its discourse, lie argued Ihat all that Freethinker, sought to take away was a misconception of the universe, which led to fear, and which fear kept peoplo under a bondugo of supor stition. If that wore removed nothing was wanted in its placo. As Ingersoll had said, what they desired to do was to expose a lio, and what thoy wero prepared to give in its place was tho detection of that lie. Atthe closo a brief discussion took placo between Mr MoNaught and Mr Bright.

Some of our Melbourne and Southern contemporaries aro making merry over tho unmasking of a reverend literary larcenist nt Melbourno, It turns out that .tho smart articles which for some time past havo been contributed to the columns of one of the Melbourne dailies are- simply paraphrases of tho loading matter ;of tho "Saturday Review," from which journal the ideas, tho phraseology, and tho quotations are all " cribbed." Tho delinquout has been gib hotted in the Press under tho psoudonym of the " Key. Mr Filehitt," a namo so very closely resembling his own as to render it easy to fix tho responsibility ■' of tho plagiarism on the right shoulders. Before undertaking his clerical duties, the now. " reverend " gentleman wti3 connected with, a labour ollice in Geolong, and having therefore for a number of years lived on the work of others, norhaps finds himself unable to divest himself of a habit contracted in eirly lifo.

At tho conclusion of this morning's sitting of tho Police Court, the presiding justico, Mr W. J. Hurst, took occasion to rofor to a grossly incorrect roport of the charge of assault preferred against Michael Breeh that had appeared in tho columns of Friday's "Herald." Tho report made out that the Bench had bound over tho defendant to keep tho poaoe, in consequence of the previous convictions that had been recorded against him, though tlio evidence showed that tho complainant had richly deserved tho thrashing he had received from,.Brcen. Now tho evidence taketv1 distinctly showed that the assault was unprovoked, and tho previous convictions had not had tho slight est eflbcton tho Bench ingivingtheirdocision. He would not have taken arty notlco of this misstatement of facts in the "Herald " had not a writer in that paper, oi. the following day, proceeded to criticise the action of the Bench, basing his remarks.on .the erroneous statements that had appeared in tho paper; of tho previous day; I He might add that the. Stak roport wasaccurato in overy particular.

A question of Home interest to tho general community was raised at'a meotirig of creditors at InveicargUl on Friday last. This was tho first meeting-in bankruptcy held in that district boforo the Official Assignee. The debtor wiw! Henry I'onkiort, who ha. lost heavily iin a sawmill specula tion. Tho public took somo interest in the proceedings, which were expected to -be lively, thero beinu many contending in terests. Before tho proceedings com menced, the Deputy Assignco intimated that the meeting would "bq private, and asked tho public to withdraw. One of them, however, quoted a 'Judge as his authority for saying the proceedings wero open to the public, and as-lliose present de clined to move, the Court did, adjourning to the ollico of tho Deputy Assignee. Tho only rofo.ufion passed was to ask thejln spector. of the Bank,of Australasia to agree to an offer of 10s in tho £, which is likely to be made. '• '■■.': ■ .? ,'•.' '

Several accidents occurred ycste.day. As man named Carroll had the misfortune to bo in the .way of a, falling block, which striking upon the.fora part of his head, produced a long and deep gash. A Mr Munroy, while,., pu^.,.fishing,,.managed to drive a-schnapper-hook nearly three inchos lonj; into the ball of his.thiimb. .The third accident wa_ of ri nioro severe nature, caused' by a horse suddenly bobbing his head and striking a man- in the left i eye, prodnc; ing immediate blindness. Those men wore all- attended- to by 'Dr. Wilkins, of Quecn-ptrc .t.:. ' Carroll's, wound ,"v. as. stitched....The.re'was qonsidorable difficulty in removing the schnappor-h'ook frota the thumb. Irt tho;lirst place the shank had tor be li led off,' A second, ciiljiculty consisted in tho point of the hook having'boen bent back by striking violently against the thumb bono in its ingress. After some' careful manipulation tho hook was removed,, .Upon examining McGregor's eye, it was as certained that tho blindness had been caused by the lens of the eye becoming'dislocated'into what is known as its anterior chamber, situated behind the cornea. Dr Wilkins believes '■ it ; will bo' necessary to i*op_ove the lens before .sight can be restored. These cases are not very frequent, but this is tho third which the' doctor has treated during tho last three months, and it is a curious coincidence that the present one makes tho second case within a fortnight in which Dr. Wilkins has had to remove a sohnapper-hook- from the deep part of thethumb.■-." '■> '*'-'

At iita ffleotiffg tit (.6 ifdhch lAtAtttiy Seciety oh Satu'rcfay6'#eninKMrE. R^Wat-' kins read Hfs prttnifcd __volett« erftitlefl " A Mysterious Deathi" It Was cwl^ly written; and wfls well fepSn'od.

£&b CAN _&*H.i;V't if yott will o}j 'iii. ytftfr' j tlobtbrlnk' jrotfrselt anfl f _cjfll6a with'tfxpbiwrro doctors or OTire-alls that da'dfily ltr*n _jena iSso Nature's simple retiiedies for all your allmonis > rbo will be Well __1 happy and saTe'creite- pefisc. TII6 erwHoSt rcniedy fort-tw, the great, wist, and!good Williwl-iiro. Is HolpVßfttfcrs. Sfee; '° . ■ -•*'('. ■;: ; '■:"•.!

The property of the citizens to bo leased 1,; an. tion on Wednesday|noxt by Mr G; W; llinney-for ,'W ycav", Bttuttto at tho junction of Wakefield and Symond... sl'.ct., ,'s in a most healthy position, commanding a <loli_jl)tfi'lv.'owj and thesale should receive theattontion of tlioee desiring a good building site close to the city.

'' Labour" will fn future bo printed and published at the- "Observer" Gftlce, Viotoria- Stfoti.

, To-mofro. Mir'it-.'-A-thri'r hdfds an __- tensive sale of valuablojewollery.. The various pieces are worthy of koen compotitibn.

Mr D. F. Evans will sell b^ auotion at lils land mart, Queon-streot (noxt Bant of Aus tralasia), to-morrow, at noon, tlrst-efass building sites, sitnatfcu in Norlolk-streot, with frontages ill Norfolk and Dofißlas-streots of 33 feet each. Lincoln-street, close to the trams, within easy distance ot Queen-street. First class rttafino villa sites at Marine Parade, click haVlnu a frontage of li 6 feet, with grand water frontages. Kmmett-strcot, a Bploiulid building allotment, with good view of (Jio harbour. Oxford-street, Newton, a nlco littlfi property olos»to Karanga lia',lo Itoad, and comprising two nice littlo cottugdsof five rooms each, quite new. Also, sovoral other valuable properties. Ceo adver tlscinont—[Advt.J

SCINTILLATIONS.

Phkmibh's political address to-night. A frecthinking girl—Hettie Rodoxy.

Tho Governor will, it is t_aid, leave hero on the 26th.

Ralph Hood's concert in tho Choral Hall this evening. Major Atkinson visits Thamos to-morrow. The Chinese use honey instead of hair oil. His Excellency is to inspect tho site of our big dock to-morrow. About a thousand Japanese are settled in America.

The lato heavy weathor damaged tho G i'oymouth|break\y;ater. Mr J. C. Woson is a candidate for tho Ashbiirton seat, now vacant.

New Zealand is to havo a fortnightly ser vice of direct steamers.

The Wollington-Christchurch match at chesshas been won by the players from the Empire City. Old London Is said to be fast disappear ing. Qnuin. old fifteenth-century mansions are {icing demolished to make room for modern structures.

Sif Julius Vogel has been pitched ever boar_.by.labe Bast Coast eleotow; Tho boards of tho Opera Houso are now the "natlvo heath" of a strong-mindod fothalo called Macgrego.. O'Gnldy, recently burned out at .Oroymouth, has got a present of £92 from tho sympathisihg public. i In 18.11 a law was passed at Horlin for bidding tlw tvdaringof silk'dtesses by other than women of rank.

; England spends six times as much monoy for; wars ao'tutl and possiblo as she dooS fb. Ed v cation.

Thero are no less than si^ty-five lawyors in tlio Amorican Sonatc, though not a few of them havo retired frpm practice. At Panama, men continue to arrive by every vessel for tho Canal Company. The number now employed exceeds 14,000. In France, nearly all the railroad tickot nnd signal clerks are Women, v<__ are paid as much as meri. ' Thoy are preferred b-causo of their sobrioty.

f Bolgium was tho first country of Conti nental Europe to construct railways. This woh i*iO years ago this month, and by hist mall wo loarnod that arrangement-! were boing made to celobrato tho anniversary of tho day when tho construction of the first Belgian railway was decreed. Some Scotchmen, who " nover" goto tho piny, make an exception when " Rob Roy" Is being produced, as it is to bo to-night and to-morrow night, at Abbott's Opera House. Tho London police aro to be provided with whistles in place of tho antiquated ,"ratt!e.i," and a Birmingham firm has're' coived an ordor for 7,000 of tho improved article..

Fewest divorces tako placo among tho Italians, the Russians, and tlio Scotch, tho proportion being from 1 to 5 in 1,000 marriages. Saxony has tho greatest pro portion of any European country of both divorces and suicides.

Tho Government in France l. not afraid of the clerk class, and is afraid of tho work men class, consequently the new income tax will bo tho hardest on tho former. Tho labourer at 8 francs or 10 francs a day will not be tared, but tho railroad or Govern ment omploy-, on a salary amounting to half that sum por day, will ha»o to pay '2_ j or cont out of it.

DETERMINED SUICIDE BY AN OLD WOMAN.

(BY TKLEdKAPH —I-RK.S.S ASSOCIATION.)

Wklmnotox, this day. An bid woman namod Pyko committed suicide by drowning at Upper Hutt on Saturday. She, throw horsolf into the river, and was seen by her husband, who sprang fn after her, but wns unable to save her. Mrs Pyke is believed to have been of weak intellect.

THE FOOTBALL TEAM FOR SYDNEY.

(UY TKLKIIKAI'II —I'KHSS ASSOCIATION.)

~'. j Wklunoton, this day. P. Wleiib h.os beon chosen as the fifth man from Wellington to go to Sydney. All the representatives, with the exception of War brick, of Auckland, are now here, and a match against a local eighteen* Will-be played on Wednesday. A portion of the proceeds Is to go towards paying the exponsos of the team.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT TE AROHA.

(ill' TKLEIIUAI'II— OWN COmtKHPOKDEST.)

, ; ;;,-,,,. , j Te At-oiea, thi. day. The ybuth Benjamin Vidian, who met with tho'accident whilst on tho night shift at the Battery last Friday,- died on'Satiirday night, about 2+ hours after the accident happened. , Dr. Payne was telegraphed for on Saturday morning, and came through at once from tho Thames, but could do no thing for him. He never recovered con sciousness, and tho doctor's held ho hope of liis recovery from the first. The fuaeral leaves for the Te Aroha cemetery this day at 1 o'eloelt. -Warden Keurlca will hold an inquest at 2 o'clock this afternoon,' in tho To Aroha Court-house, for which a halt will bo mado; after which the journey to the cemetery will be mado. Muoh sympathy was felt for the bereaved parents,, as de ceased,was an only son and a groat favourite amongst his associates. '

ACCIDENTAL DEATH.

Ok Saturday afternoon, at the Queen's Head Hotel, an inquest was held by Dr. Philsoi. and a jury on the body of an elderly man named John Mantle, who had beon found dead in bed at his residenceip Cross-street, Newton. Mantle, it appeared in evidence, was-ormerly a clerk of> works, and at the time of hi? death was 70 years of' age. About a fortnight ago Mrs, O'Qara was pass dug Mantle'eresidencewhenshe saw deceased sitting oppositei.the window .with his shirt front m a maze. She wont insido and ex tinguished the fire with a~cloth. Mantle informed her that, his,clothes hacLcaught fire from a candle while he was haying his tea. After Mrs O'Gara had'informed the daughters ■ of1 the deceased of "his acci _en§i she returned to the hctase and found Mantlo in great pain.' His daughter,' -Mrs- Cowden, applied sOrhb acetic acid.-.to .his' irijuriesj arid It appeared to takeaway th.' pain, after which he was put to bod. The. burnb were* pn his neck, throat, chin, and behind the right ear. No medical nian'wa. sent for. Mrs O'Gara and Mrs Cowdeni.left the house about half past ten. At 7 o'clock on last Friday morning Mrs O'Gara returned to the resi dence of tho deceased, made a fire, and got some- tea-ready. Then she went to his bedside and called him, but re ceiving no t answer looj_ed closely and found that he was dead. Mrs Cowdetij the daughter of deceased, and Dr. Purchas, -who had been sent) for, came shortly after, and tbe: latter pronounced life to be extinct. Both Dr. Philson arid Dr. Purchas expressed disapproval with respect to the application of acetic acid to burns. Tho jury, after hearing the ovidenco, returned a verdict "That the deceased, James Mantlo, died from tho effect of burns accidentally re ceived a fortnight ago. They also ap pended a rider to the effect that his death was1 accelerated through no medical aid having been 6btained;for him.

RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

tkaiis' mt mm t.tta& ..wear

I'EK-EUO'IIE.

..AVENGER!. ikj-KEfl ASW ■firttlCKS AND CfARH.IAC.ES DA_IAC.E_>.

At. aceidtfnt 'of "a <' / kbh& <'«>v>ous nature h.pptm.rt oft tho Waikato railway lln. on Saturday mofnififj< When within a mile of the' Pukekohe station, trie gomh train 1 'w*fe .brown off tho lino by a cow. Extensi.'© damage was __ ._> to the engine and -trucks, while some of the "pas _e_gora' wer . "" injured. Fatal; oonsequences were ■ for tunately .verted, but the escape was a' very narrow one- '-.jfe'ft-rtin to which the acci- > dent happened was the goods tf.iriy which loft Auckland for tho Waikato at ; C,2O a.m. It ionsfate'd bf no' less than twenty-nine tt-ucks, two carriages, a.daguaTd°s van, the WhoUbeing drawn by oneof th'O large engm6s recently imported. The engine-drlfer was Mr Keet, the fireman Mr Robinson, and the guard Mr J. Stewart. Amongst the pas sengers were Mr E. Hornsby (Laurie and Hornsby), Mr J. Fisher (manager of the Frozen Meat Company), and n Mr Gray. About two hours after leaving i_t?ckj land, the train was in tho vicinity of the bridge, about a mile from the Pukekohe station. When the engine rounded the sharp curve, It was seen that there was a cow on the bridge, af)d before Bpeed could bo perceptibly checked a Vlolont Collision took Placo. The cow waß cut to pieces by tho engine, but tho sudden stoppage had the effect of throwing the locomotive off the rails, and it rolled Into the swamp beneath, dragging with it three or four of the trucks. Several trucks also went off on tho other side. The carriages still remained on the line, but as might naturally ha vebeenexpected,tbeshock was very severely felt' by the occupants. Mossrs Fisher and Hornsby rose simul taneously to see what was the matter, when the shattered glass from the windows struck them on the faces and disfigured their vis ages with slight cuts. Mr Gray who it may bo mentioned, is not tho well-known salesman employed by Messrs T. and S. Morrin and Co., was thrown some distance from the platform on which be had been standing to the ground on the opposite side 1 from tho swamp, and fortunately, for him, sustained no more serious injury than a lacerated hand. Tho train hands .nil had most miraculous escapes. Keet, tho engino-driver, jumped on to the land side, and thus oscapod Immersion in the swamp. Ilis head struck somo hard substance in falling, arid he was stunned for a short time, 'but has now recovered from the effects. Robinson, the fireman,was precipitated into the swamp, and partially sank in the soft mud. Thero was just a possibility that he might haro been smothered or drowned, but ho was extricated with some difliculty. itis escape was a very narrow ono, consider ing tho,risk he incurred of being buried under the locomotive The spectacle pre sented immediately after the occurrence was that of a cpirfplcto wreck. Tile bridge was covered with "blood, and meat, and hair;" rails were torn tip; splintered carriages on each side of the embankmont; while the scono was rendered more effective by the appearance of several woebegone-looking individuals covered with- slimy mud, and othorswhose bleeding faces justified them in concluding that they had sustained injuries of a painful and serious character. Inspection of tho Damage. When the unfortunate passengers and officials had reassured themselves concern ing the soundness of their, own limbs and tho trifling character of their injuries, they proceeded to examine the extent of tho damage It was found that several rails had been torn up, the bridge was seriously damaged, trucks were lying on either side of the line, while the locomotive had disappeared from view under the mud irythe swamp. The passengers proceeded on to the Pukekohe station on foot, and information of the sccurrence was forwarded to tho Genoral Manager in town. Assist ance was sont up without delay, and the line was cleared and placed in order for traffic again yesterday. Passengers by the up and down Waikato trains were trans ferred ftt the scene of the catastrophe, and forwarded on to their respective destination. Statement by a, Passenger. Mr E. Hornsby, one of tho passengers, haying returned to town, was interviewed to-day by one of our reporters, and cour teously supplied tho following particulars respecting the occurrence :—He says—The only occupant,! of tho carriago in which I was were Sir Fisher and myself. A young man named Gray, not Messrs Morrins' sales man of that name, was on tho platform. When the locomotive was crossing tho bridge, wo felt a slight bump, and naturally rose up and proceeded to look out to ascer tain tho cause. Immediately we got our faces to tho window, there was a violent concussion, and tho glass went smash. The consoquence was our faces were scratched with tbo'fragmonts of glass. We got out.and found tho greater portion of the train off the line, although the passenger carriage!*; were still on the rails. The engine and tender .id some of the trucks had gone to tho loft hani side, and while tlie trucks lay on the side of the embankment, the engine. was completely buriod in the swamp, and the tender partly immersed in it. The depth of tho embankment could not havo been more' than about fifteen feet. Several trucks wero also on the right hand side of the line, having been forced off thore by the shock. The remainder of tho trucks, the carriages, and the van remained on the line. Some rails wore torn up, and the bridge and several trucks, were splintered. No serious injury was sustained by anyone on the train. My im pression respecting tho accident itself is that the cow was caught by tho catcher, bedanse we felt a slight bump or conussion before the shock. I suppose the catcher i carried tho animal a few yards, and that its legs were then caught between the gratings of the biidge, which are used to keep the cattle off. This obstacle prevented the further progress of the train, - and the suddon stoppage threw the "engine off the. line/ This cow* -was cut. into shreds, not a 'piece as big as your, hat being left. Thero were portions on tho bridge,'engine, wheels/and in the'ereek. Tho Damage—Fenolng the Ltno. It might appear upon first thoughts that the loss to tho department will not be very ; serious, but reflection will show that it cannot face far short of £1,000. The locomotive was worth something like £3,000, and it now lies buried in the swamp. this,- there will be the expense of-clearing tho line, the;, cosji' of re pairs to trucks, carriages, and the line itself, rot to mention the loss and incon venience to which consignees and shippers of goods are put. Apart from this, tho present accident.and another of a similar nature which happened .a short timo ago havo imparted a' sense of in security in tho minds of tho travelling Ettblic, whiqh can only :be , removed y tho fencing of tho lino. A " panny wise and pound foolish policy " has, within a few months, resulted in tho loss of quite as much monoylas would have completed the neces sary fencing, while human lives havo twice been exposed to extreme danger, and have, in fact, been miraculously saved. "We are informed on good authority that scores" of cattle are annually • killed .on this line, and that tho loss to settlers has .bden'so great that many of them havo boon compelled to fence at their own expenso in protection of their interests. Now that two of the Cabinet Ministers are in Auck land, it is to be hoped that the attention so forcibly drawn to ,_ hit almost appears to 'be criminal neglect on the part of the authorities, will not bo without somei effect. ~ j ~,,•_,■• , A Country Settlor on tho Subject. A country correspondent sends the fol lowing reflections on the accident: —"On Saturddy last an accident occurred on the ! railway: which, wero it not for a providen tial circumstance, might have been attended by appalling results. A valuable engine now, prostrate in the swamp a few yards :from a bridge, and several waggons .lying shattered here and there, of themselves be-' speak'what might havo. happened had the latter been passongor carriages. Query: Why not fence the line \ Which jalik^ly to be the more economical finally—tjo fence off throughout, or run tho perpetual risk for damages for life and,limb,andivaluable'pro' perty ? Wouldany jury in the coiihtry excul pate the Government or Parliament from wil ful and gross negligence if the cowt-atcher should fail to protect human life whilst the precaution of fencing off is ignored? Unless natural justico is entirely sot aside by somo wise piece of New Zealand legisla tion, the verdict undoubtedly would be as in Victoria on a similar occasion —that a Go vernment clinging to a monopoly of railway traffic are committed to the same respon sibilities! n.s any other 'common carriers.' Human life is perhaps of less account here than beyond our, seas. Stupidity only will attach blame to .drivers or heads of departments. The defect is in. radiix. As muchhas been lost by thislast' uniihportnnt' accident as would probably fence the line from Drury.tp IV^erper, if pot much furthor

an, Still more, fbe com-moi. sense p_ecantia» hero .suggested ' _»tgbt at any * Moment prevent an emorgfng loss .to tho country equal to a mm sufficient to enable Govern ment to increase for several miles from the capital the ridiculous speed nowattainab'.e ; gf'/c the citizens of Auckland _tho_ in estimable advantage of country habitations, and sa\ _ our provincial lino from the taunt* and merited ridicule of vis-tors from abroad. _•! am, fe, J.A.C., TuaUau."

THE SOUDAN REBELLION.

[kkutbk's cablegram. I

The Relief of General Gordon.

. .... ■■ London, May 17. It is reported that the Government have no. decided to make preparations for the , despatch of an expedition to the Soudan to relieve General Gordo-''. It is further stated that troops will start as sow. as the Nile River ia sufficiently high to permit ol the passage of small steamers. No official an „_lwcOn_ent has yet been _midc.

Sorties Against the Rebels.

In a statement to tho House of Lord_ to day, regarding General Gordon, Earl Granville announced that refugees from Berber, who had reached Assotinn', reported that Gordon had made several sorties from Khartum with tho Egyptian garn__i, and had off *__h occasion successfully at tacked the rebels who- are surrounding that city.

The Governor of Dongola DiaJoyaf,

Cairo, May 17.—The Governor of Don gola has declined to accept the permission granted him to withdraw the garrison and ■abandon the town, In consequence of fur ther representation? by the Egyptian Go vernment, England lite now consented to the despatch of Egyptian troops to Wady Haifa and Korosko, on tlio Nubian frontier. London, May 18.— The Governor of _>on t*ola is reported to be disloyal, and Easch.-. Eas been captured.

THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY.

(i;y TBLKnp.Ai'H.—ritEss AssotW_loN.)

Wellington, this day. Tim Government, after consulting with the Governor, have decided not to alter the ar rangements for celebrating Queen 'sßirthday this month. At Wellington and Canter bury the holiday .will be held on- the' 2Gth, and at Auckland, Otago, nnd other places on the 24th inst.

THE SHIP CRUSADER.

A large full-rigged ship, supposed to be tbo Crusader, Captain Scotland, from London, was beating up the gulf at 1 o'clock. The Crusader left London on the 7tli February, and maie a capital run of 80 Ways to tbe Tosmanian coast, which she passed on the 27th April. Since then, it will, noaoubt.be foubd that she has been detained by ligdt, adverse windß, over 21 days Having elapsed since she was in company with the British King. The Crusader brings for Auckland a full cargo of merchandise, Valued at £11,-00, and the following pas sengers .— Second Cabin: Mr and Sirs Day and child, Mr and Mrs Brown and 3 children,. Mr and Mrs Syers. Miss Bushby, Miss Gilbert, Miss Oaks ford, Mr F. D. Hroughton. Mr Thomas Bridges. Steerago; Mr and Mrs Radford and family (11), Mr ana llrs Lovegrove and family (10), Mr and Mrs Priestley,' Miss Priestley, J. CJ Murray.

THE WHOLESALE POISONING CASE.

(IIV T.LEfiRAt'H—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Chkistchurch, Sunday. At the inqueston Fahey (poisonedby drink ing whisky) at Rakaia, John Mann, the hotelkeeper who supplied tho drink, by the advice of his lawyer, refused to give evi dence, but other witnesses showed that ho had acknowledged having mixed strychnine with vinegar in a jug some time ago for the purpose of killing rats or birds. Subse quently he had thrown the contents of tho jug away, but had not washed it. When taking the whisky froma jar to put it in the bottles, he used the same jug. The medical evidence was to the effect that if the vinegar was weak it would not dissolve the crystals of strychnine, which would adhere to the jug, but strong spirit would dissolve them. The opinion of the men who drank the whisky was at first that Mann had played a practical joke upon them. ' The jury re turned an open verdict.

MINING NEWS.

[_V ; TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

THAMES.

Thames, this day

Caledonian.—An improvement is notice able in the winze below No. 2 level on Red Queen leader. At a depth of forty-eight feet the break recently intersected a leader. On Saturday, in taking down quarts below it,, the manager secured a number of nice gold-bearing stones. Stoping is still pro ceeding above No. 2 level, but the block above No. 1 is no longer being worked. Ten stampers at Herald Battery are running on the Company's quartz, which yields about payably. Moanataiari.—Crushing commences to day,- and will: be continued until the end of the month.

Belcher.—A trial parcel of four loads from the reef in tho bottom. of the Bhaft produced the fair return of 2ozs 6dwts gold. No gold was visible when breaking the parcelj and the stuff was so lightly valued that the claim owner actually presented it to his men.

Deep Level Cross.—lt has teen decided to cease operations at the 640 feet level, the Company seeing no inducement to further expenditure in prospecting the lode already opened. The works at the intermediate level will still be carried on, and the man ager purposes prospecting. Caledonian.—ln the large lode at the 400 feet level seaward of the Big Pump shaft promising indications were met with when working in this locality some months ago, but thqro is a difficulty in contending with tho gas issuing from the lode.

SPORTING NEWS.

Duncdin J.C. Wintor Meeting,

[BY TELEGRAM. — PRESS' ASSOCIATION. ]

Dunedin*, this day

The following acceptances havo been re ceived for'the above meeting, which takes place on Friday and Saturday next : —

HuilDLEs.^-Lo-kct, Little John, Mokara, Glcnira. -Schmozer, Sailor Boy.

Maiden Plate.—Gorton, Holderne.s, Falcon, Verona. Minnie. Larry, Benedict,. Flapjack, Tonßariro, Symphony. Provincial' Handicap; — Lady Emma, Rubina,; The ,I'oot. Hippodatuia, Captain Wobster, Trumpeter, Violin.

Tradesmen's Handicap.—Lady Emma, Ru bina, Thcuge. Minerva. Hippodaniia. Captain Webster, Trumpeter, Billy, violin, Prosporo, Molly Bawn. ' -" ■

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before W. J. Hurst, Esq., J.P.)

P-Wtehojlogists. — Mary Richards, 3rd offence, fined £5 and costs, or in default 7 days' 'seclusion. John Symonds, third bironce. —Sergeant White said that the defendant had been found in the swamp opposite Gleoson's Hotel on Saturday; night.—Defendant, in heart felt accents, promised to abstain for ever and a 1 day if ho wis lot off.inst this once. Ono month's imprisonmentwithout the option of a fine. Sev eral llrst- of I'onders were punished in the usual manner. .■•-.-.., •

Alleged Larceny. — Joseph Draper and Daniel McCarthy were' charged with 'the larceny of a silver-watch and steel eh 'in, valno ■61, the property-'of Charles Fry, at Auckland.— Mr; Cottor appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Theo., Coop.P for the defence.—Mr Cooper applied for a. adjournmenttill'to-morrow, ac cused to bo let out on their own recognisances. Mr i Cotter had"no objection, and the accused w-cro remanded till to-morrow, .to be admitted to bail on their owri'recognisances., The Cpurtadjourned till rwo o'clock.

CABLEGRAMS.

BY CAB__.-_OPYKftra?r.3

[ROTTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

(Received May 19, 11.15 a.m.) Russia Advanolng on Afghanistan.

I_>__o_, May 17.—1t has now transpired that it is the Turcoman tribes on the Afghan frontier who have tendered their submission to Russia, and not tribes at Herat, aa stated in yesterday's telegrfiffig from St. Petersburg.

The Panic on tho New York Exchange New York, May 17.—The panic on the* Stock Exchange has now subsided, the banks having combined to act together for their matoal assistance. Enormous pur. chases of American stocks have been made during tho past few days on European ac-

count,

Gorman Steam Sorvico to Australia,

Behlis, May 17.—The North German' LidydV Royal Mail Steamship.Company has proposed to Government to undertake a subsidised mail service to Australia and tha Ernst.

(fßecewed May 19—11.15 a.m.) Commercial Report.

.Lo.iM.Ny May 17. —Consols have declined to 101 > The market rate of discount has risen to lg, an. is now g. below the bank rate:- There aw no changes to report in NW Zealand securities, colonial bread. stuffs, ot tallow. ____—don Wool Salesi. A good demaiad prevailed at to-day's. wool sale. The catalogue comprised | 12,500' bales, I Fortnig&tty Steam Service to Hew i Zealand.

I__i_»__r, May 18. —The New -Zealand,;.. Shipping Company aod the Shaw, Savill, Albion Company have agreed to run steamers every alternate fortnight after "** Oatober. - ■ -.

Defeat of the Australian Crietoterw. London, May 17.—The crfcket matej^f. Attstl-aliane v, Oxford University, was re sumed yesterday at Oxford. The home teita) with 4- wickets down for. 106,T'ot__ V turned their first innings, which closed fora total of 209, or CI rune ahead of the Aus tralians. O'Brien with 92, and Page with ... 33J were amongst the top scorers. The „ Australian' team went in for their second.; ■', innings, sffid succeeded in putting ;; together 168. McDonnell, stumped, 36 j Midwinter, caught, 4&, were the highest"... scorers- The fielding ci the Home team ' was very gocd. A'AA The match was resumed to-day, and.;?' 1 resnWeel in the defeat of tho visitors. The if horns'team^. requiring 109 runs to win fhe ''■"'; match, went in for their second inningy-i"" and put tcSgether that number' with the loss :__ o_ bnly three wickets, thus winning toy < seven wickets. Kferap, net out, /**"&_, til? y highest scorer with 63. "_. *J.,

[SfECIAL TO PRESS ASSOC___O_.J

New Bishop of Ripon.

London, May 16.—Canon B. Carpenter, of Windsor, and Honorary Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen, has been appointed to , the See of Ripon, vacated by the death of Rev. Dr. Bickersteth. :,--< The ReclO-viste Ouestlom. Lon.on, May 17.—Lord Roseberry, at, | Earl Granville's request, has postponed the. recidiviste debate in the House of Lards. Tho French Government appear greatly irritated at the action of the Australian colonies in the matter. London Wool Sales. Good greasy merino wool has improved in price, but the finest is unaltered. Cross bred is firm, but faulty and superior wools are weaker. 183,000 bales Vave been cata logued, and 14,700 withdrawn. The Royal Geographical Society have presented to Sir D. Bell the gold medal awarded to Professor Yon Haast, of Christ church, for his explorations ol the New Zea land Alps. The Court has directed the payment by the Oriental Bank of a sum of ninety thousand ponnds lodged by the Japanese Government to redeem certain bonds.

An autumn session of Parliament will be held if the House of Lords rejects the Bill for the extension of the franchise.

Lerd. Randolph Churchill has been re elected Chairman of the National Con servative Union. ,'•'''

Arrived cargoes of wheat have sold at from 40s to 41s.

AUSTRALIAN.

Beaok Challenges Hanlan,

Sydney, May 19.—Beach has'challenged Hanlan to row on the Paramatta Biver ior any sum from £200 to £500 aside. Mauritius Sugar Market. Adelaide, May 18.—Mauritius advices to the 2nd inst. are to hand. Messrs. Ireland, Fraser and Company report—The clearances of sugar for the month for Ohristehurch amount to 600 tons; for Dunedin 800 tons. Freight* to Australia, 1 15s to 20s ; ditto to New Zealand, 32s 6d to 355. Exchange at 60 days; Bank credits on New Zoaland, 13 per cent.; ditto on Australia, 15 per cent. (sic). Stock of sugar on hand, 19,000 tons : export this season to New Zealand, 10,000 tons.

[" AGE " SPECIALS.]

The Failure of the Oriental Bank.

London, May 7. — The hearing of the petition in bankruptcy for winding up the affairs of the Oriental Bank Corpora tion has been adjourned by consent to 15th May. In the meantime it! is hoped that arrangements will be made which will obviate the liquidation by the Court. The •Oriental Bank Corporation has despatched a special steamor to Mauritius to olose its agencies onthat island. The British' share holders of the Oriental Bank have deter mined to form themselves into a defenoe committee to protect their interests.

Wreck of an Australian Steamer. The Bteamer Bulli, belonging to the Bulli' Coal Company, N.S. WV, whilst on her first voyage, bound from Glasgow to Sydney, went ashore at Capetown, and has since be come a total wreck.

TELEGRAMS.

(from our own correspondent.)

Thames, this day.—Dr. Wanstall, of " Enoch Arden " colobrlty, is at present an inmate of tho Thames Hospital, suffering from alcoholism.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day.—The tender of John McLean and Sons, of Auckland, has/ ■_ been accepted for additions and extension of Queen's Wharf, Wellington. ", ..

Boarding-House Burned Down.

Christchurch, this day.—An unoccupied boarding-house of 22 rooms, next to Glad stone Hotel, Peterboro-street, was destroyed by fire early this morning. It was evidently the work of an incendiary. The insurances are unknown. Tired of life. F. W. Brooke, employed at Kaiapoi Woollen Factory, committed suicide yester day by cutting his throat. Ho had been suffering from ill-health and low spirits for somo time.

Dunedi-T, this day.—At the Police Court today, Edward Maiver, charged with utter ing a forged bank note, wasdischarged with out evidence being offered.

On dit that several important banking changes will take place here shortly. A collection made yesterday at the First Presbyterian Church, Duncdin, to providea tombstone for tho grave of the late Kov. Lindsay Mackie realised £112.

A GHASTLY DISCOVERY.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Thames, this day. A human skeleton was discovered on Satur day morning in the hollow trunk of a large rata treo growing in tho upper Tararu dis trict. The bones had evidently remained

in the same position for many years, a large vine having grown across the entrance of the cavity in which they were found. The skull was found in the bottom of the hollow, and the log bones outside, as if the victim had fallen in head foremost. There is no cluo as to the identity of deceased.



Special Advertisements. AVIS. A VI S. A VI S. ! Gonts.' Coloured Kid Glove3—Josephines Ist Choice—ls lid por rialr,- at the BON MARCHE, "'.'•: Gonts.', Ladies', and Children's Hosiery, in Kreat variety, at tho BON MARCHE. i Astounding value in Millinery and Lace Goodß at tho BON MAKCHE. Dress Fabrics in all tho Newest Toxturcs at the BON MARCHK. • Tho I-oula Gonoa-fnood Volvoteon and other spoclal makos. in all colours; also black, at Is (id por yard, at the BON MAROHE. Blankets, Shootings, Flannels, and choice stock of Crotonnes, should be seen atoncoattho BON MARCHE. Now Season's Goods in aU Depart.rao_|lkA-om English and Continental _aarkots,Just ro ccivod at tlio BON MAROHE. 217, Queen-st-root (next Hewin Bros., Grocors). "OONSONBY. f, T. B. ROBSONTS DRESSMAKING ESTABLISHMENT. Under the Management of MISS FRIEND, who has lately arrived from England, and had Large Experience. . ' i STYLE, FIT, AND ECONOMY IS OUR MOTTO. j j LADIES' OWN MATERIAL'S CAREFULLY I AND EXPEDITIOUSLY MADE UP. T. B. BOB'SON'S „■* Drapkut, Mhj_n_iiy, AND Drkusmakino ESTABLISHMENT. TO^Sofcx.



Special Advertisements. rf~ILOTHING -DgfArfTMENT. MESSRS J. c6sG_tAVE * CO. Beg to announce that th>y_bawJ_«4t Opened, ■ ■^vJ^WN^'^**1--"- ' !.. *..' A 8-LENDID ASSORTMENT ' "_ ' .." „_*.«_- • "".,' "s, .' MEN'S AND BOYS" CLOTHTNa AND .i.tj __ES£CER__ Th<_ Shipflient is a Very Extensive One, and , s . ' •ohiprisos somoof the ' ' VERY' BEST VALUE IN ENGLISH CLOTHING AND TWEED* EVER IMPORTED TO AUCKLAND. Tho Goods are cut In 'the Very Litest Style's, ,( :. and the Patterns New and Choice. Intending Purchasers would do well to Inspect this Stock, as MESSRS J. COSGRAVE & CO. HAVE NOW ON VIEW THE BEST ASSORTMENT . ' " or '" CLOTHING" IN AUCKLAND. Special attention is drawn to our Stock of MEN'S AND BOYS' WATERPROOFS AND ULSTERS, Amongst which nro a few with the Patent Ventilated Cape. Note tho address :— J. COSGRAVE & Co., 201 AND 200, QUFI-.-STREET. TT|R. MACMULLBN can bo Consulted at Haslott's English Pharmacy, Qucon-strcot, from 11,30 a,m. to 1 p.m.; and at his Residence. Pon sonby Road, from 6.30 to 7.30 p.m. TELEPHONE NUMBER, ISB TO TRIVATE HOC.X. JSTew Law Partnership. !■; THE UNDERSIGNED beg to nnnouhco that they have commenced to Practlco In Co-nartnor shlp as BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS In Chambers in Hiou-STRKKT, opposite Mr W. Atkins Printing Office. K. W. BUIWON. W. J. NfcPIER, ' Auckland, Soptomber 22nd, 1883. OEM OVAL O.F BUSINESS,; jyTILNE & "rjHOY'CE Are now Opening In THEIR TEMPORARY PREMISES, CORNER QV WELLESLEY AND LORNE-STREETS, Q QASES, Bl BRITISH KING, OK THE VERY LATEST STYLES IN MILLINERY, FEATHERS, _ FLOWERS, HEADDRESJES, JACKETS, DOLMANS, ULSTERS, FOUR-IN-HANDS, W. P. CLOAKS, FUR CAPES, &c, &c. Also, 1 CASK DENT'S GAUNTLET KID GLOVES, in several Colours and Lengths j A VERY LARGE VARIETY IN STOCK O*" DRESS MATERIALS. SILKS. VELVETS, I VELVETEENS. HOSIERY' GLOVES, WOOLLKN GOODS. BOYS' JER3EYS, UNDERCLOTHING. BABY LINEN, i BLANKETB. MANCHESTER GOODS, &C, &.C., &0. 5 •/. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT CASH. MILNE _ CHOYCE, CORNER WELLESLEY AND LORNE-BTREETS. jDARE T>AR GAINS HOSIERY !1 ™ HOSIERY I! In addition to usual Well-assorted Stock of Hosiory, . William R ; Bridgman i. Has just purchased from a Warehouse 4,119 PAIRS OF ASSORTED HOSIERY In Great Tahiety, And will be sold, to Clear Quickly, at and , UNDER WHOLESALE PRICE. 144 vory nice WINTER SKIRTS, Ss Hd (worth as 6d). 2,010 yards Foule DRESS SERGE, In Navy, Brown, Myrtle, Grey. Prune, Peacock, Ma rone ; to bo cleared at fid yd (worth Is). 600 Pairs BLANKETS very cheap, frem Os 6d pr. Splendid stock FLANNELS, good wide line, Is yard. ,Job Line 10/4 WHITE BLANKETS, 13s lid pr. (very cheap). Large Assortment CHECK DRESS GOODS from 9d yard. Very good line DRESS GOODS, BJd yard. Large lot of Job Lines In MEN'S and BOYS' CLOTHING. Nice lot New Pattern FLOORCLOTHS, from 9d yard. LADIES' JACKETS and ULSTERS in great variety, oheap. ALL GOODS MARKED AT VERY LOWEST RATES. WILLIAM R. BRIDGMAN, 1 ]-, 288, Upper QouBM-BTRBEir. TEMPORARY PREMISES OPPOSITE A. CLARK AH. BOSS. EL L. POSSBNISKIB, MERCHANT TAILOR AND IMPORTER, B_ORT_A_._T.E_r, AUCKLAND, Wishes to Inform His Patrons anil tho. Publlo generally that he has .!•:'.• JOB! KECHtYBD HIS FIRST SHIPMENTS ©F AUTUMN AND VfINTEB GOODS, Pbb as. RtJAPuru. The above comprise all the Latest Demons In TWEEDS and COATINGS, and are wel worthy an inspection. Dr. w i;l X I N S,' F.R.C.8.. COVBULTINO AND OPERATING SURGEON, Is at his Snrgery, for General Practice—Morn ings, 10 untk 12; Evenings, 7,30 until 8.30; Afternoons, 2 to I, for Eye, Ear, and Throat diseases. Dr. Wilkins spent soven years at Moorofleldß Eye Hospital, London, under Messrs Bowman and Crtchett, two at Throat Hospital, London, Bcven years Honorary, Surgeon Albert Hospltal.and oight years at Eye. Ear.and Throat Infirmary. Melbourne Corrects sight for glasses.—Consulting Rooms, Quoon-street (neo . Post-office), Auokland. i IM.RS R. SOMERVILLE, . * WELLESLEY-STREET (OPPOSITE ABBOTT'S OPERA , HOUSE), ' ' Has Received, per Mail Steamer* , _ , A BEAUTIFUL ASSORTMENT o_ FRENCH AND,ENGLISH '.., MILLINERY. QLOVES ! GLOVES _] GLOVES ! COMMERCIAL HOUSE, COMMERCIAL HOUSE, 172, Queen-street. WILSON, WILLIAMS, & McCULLAGH Have just oponcd a Large Parcel of thoabove, in i and 6-buttou TAN KID .and 6-button SWEDE TAN KID EMBROIDERED SWEDE MOUSQUETAIRE (in 8-button] lengths) GAUNTLET KID _ and 6-button BLACK,AND COLOURED JOSEPHINES, and A Large Assortment ot CASHMERE and i SILK GLOVES, all colours. WILSON, WILLIAMS. AND McCULLAGH;. • 172—qUKKff-BTRKET—I72. I Mayl;188L '_■ . >*•'_' ' J



Benefactors.—" When a board of eminont physicians and chemists announced tho dis covery that by'combining sonic well-known valuable romediqs a nios*. wonderful medicine was produced, which would cure such a wide range of diseases that most all opher remedies could be dispensed with, many were sceptical; but proof of. its merits by actual trial has dis pelled all doubt, and to-day tho discovers of that great medicine, Hop Bitters, are honoured and blessod by all as benefactors." Road. Mr Randerson sells by auction at his rooms, Queen-street, to-morrow, some vory valuable freehold nnd leasehold esiates. No doubt there will be a good audience and bidding tor the various properties, English Lever Watches packed and sent post free.to any part of Nuw Zealand on receipt !of P. 0.0. for _3 10s. A stamped guarantee en closed.—A. G. liartlott, 151, (Jueon-Btreet. Chronometer, .-.and Watchmaker (opposite Theatre Royal), established 22 years,—(Advt,]