SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

_„_ _..__„ (ThisEvontaft,l.4S HI >H V7ATKR| i> o . ulonow Morning, M 8 St;.V;'»HT.— This Kraning;. 7.8 ■;■•' \'Ui3.ls.—To-morrow Morning, 4.10 If ■ON'B AGE.—Now Moon, 18th, 1.8 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY.

Glsn' I?, 8.5., Amocieo, from Mercury Bar To Antiu, 8.5., McCfce, from Russell

DEPARTURES LABT HVENINO. llin?aiooraa, i.*., Popham. for Sydney TS'oium Kiwsell, 8.5., Helander, for Gisbornp Southern Cross, b.s.. Hutchison, for the boutn

IMPORTS.

Per Coptlc-S cases drapery. ftc.-T. and J. Moi.'urtoK

EXPORTS.

Pee Ringnrooma, for Sydney—lss doors, 88 C?-:i -. snaaia, 100 BaoUs potatoes. 10 baled fungus, V.I .'i;cer» meitled kauri, and a few parcels no a.'ties.

Vifi Te Anau, for Melbourne—lß bales wool, 10 e.cy- bornx. 15 hides, JO casks oil. For Southern ports—3oo sugar. 14 cases oranges, 55 ba.3 boaerttmt. 2i buncbos bananas, 57 cases oranges, and a quantity of sundries.

In^tards Coastwise.—Mercury.fromTainia, "■■i 2?.0"0ft timber; Margaret, from Who nr-.-rei, with 20,00;lft timber.

Outwards Coaptwisb. — Mahuraniji, for ■;/; <:i :atlti; Ghost, !ov Whangapoua: Moroury, P>t 'Hirun; Kauri, for Waiheke; Dream, for ii:t\mes.

'I ho barquo Kentish Lass left Wellington for v> niingaroa yosterday.

rhg following pas^engersarrived from Russell £>"• mo To ADau this morning:—Mr and Mrs Brewer and toy, Mr Harris. Mrs Moore.

. ■ hobrlßontine Mary Campboll was diachari? ---;).;or, k l into the Triumph to-day. It is pro [■y.j\p that the luttor will-load at this port and -"•lilyr for London.

TKa brieantlno Proipwity (now loading at >.;■ ivnry Bay) cleared at the Cußtoms to-day for < wo Capricorn (for orders). From Mercury T' . sho will taUo UO.OOO feet sawn kauri tim h ■<•.

! li° Pc-lham was towed alongside of the sea r,',l by the Dock last evening, masta having 1" on previously removed. Tho work of con ■vcrtinjf h«r Into a atenmpr Is being pushed fnr y;rj rapidly,and willnoOoubtbe accomplished Vj :thin the throe months allawed.

The harqus John Knbx, from Nelson, brigan ■firm Pro-pnrlty, frnm Rockhampton, ani lvMcaDtlm; Lapwing, from Thames, arrlvedat 31 r.-.nry Bar durinff tho present wook. Thoy sr> i>ow loading timber. Tho Lapwing goes to 1 jA-nsvi'le tho John Knox to Nowcastlo, and tha l*re«rority to Rookhampton.'

Tho an. Wellington is still In Dock, conso- O"' ntly sho •will not leave for Tauranga Uiis cvuning, and tbaPtrip will bo dona by the s.s. n -iJsr, whtle the s.s. Rowcna will go to Mti ury Bn^.

. T!io » a. Oretl, which went ashore on the West Cii.ut about els months ago, and was floated and takon to Wollin?.ton for repairs, had a trial trip y eowdny. when she wng pronounced even faster tli ;.u before. Tho total cost of repairs Is Btated to bo £J,OUO.

'I ho s.B. Glenolc arrived from Meroury Bay nsifl: Tairua this moraine with the following pi sengers:—Misß Runoiman, Mossra Adams, J>>phy, Donovan. Coffua. Geldard (2t Grant, .>; . 3, Kelly, Martin 12), Norton (2), PaKe, Smith, 3?is!ier Drnnmtle Company (7), Rev. Mr. O'Cal iaahan, and Captain Cinnamon,

3 lie s.s. Elngaroomn left for Sydney early last cvemng with tho folio wing passengers:—Mlas Jjrotvn, Mrs J. Martin. Rev. Mr and Mrs Crisp, Hoy. Mr and Mrs Bunress, Revs. J. W. and G. Kr-wn, R. Coldwrll, W. Clarke, J. Gardiner, S. Iti-i'-rM, J. B. Stophenson, C. R. Newman, Simp sdii. Hunter, Moaars James, Thomas, Holloway, Brown, Evans, Glassford, Thomas, Rubelly, Britton, ana H in thn steerage.

Tlio s.s. Te Anau left for Melbourne via !■ >: -thorn ports, at noon to day, with tho follow ing piespngord :-For Olsborno:. Messrs Ward end btosrgal. For Napier: Mesdamea Watt, J}":\ Blythe, and Burns, Miss Carlylo. For Wellington: Mrs Alexander. Mies Martin, Jtaraa Buckland. Martin, Hamlln, Price, and Sett Hoy. for LBttelton: Miss Suncoso, Mrs lijae and family. Rev. A. Brlttain, Mr and Mrs ■ alcroa, Mrs Gerald, Messrs Dsnnison and Bromwell. For Duneflin: Miss Wallace, Mr Ml'f, Dr. Alexnnder. For Bluff: Miss Dunn. Tor Melbourne: Mr and Miss Bozer, Master BoKor. For Hobart: Mr Kennedy.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS.

D ualas. s.n., Norbury, from Waitara Laiia Rookh, s.s., Campbell, from Waitara

DEPARTURE.

Df-Mjlasi, 5.9., Nortrary, for Waitara

The steamens Douglas and Lalla Rookh arrifed from Waitara yesterday evening with Hjook. The former left again for Waitara at one o'c 02k to-day.

'i'ha s.s. Argyle should arrive from Waltara t:-!ii;jlit. Sbo loaves for Hokianga to-morrow.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

: ?.'iiTAai.tiitaate7^rAxrlvod-.HimMihMokau, OmsTuouTH, yesterday.—Sailed': Horald, for Auckland, 1 p.m.

\V»M,rtJcrrotf, this day.—Sailed: Omapore, (Of A lattalla; Oienmore. barque, and Zea lasidia, Bhfp, for London.

Sailing of tk« lonic from Plymouth,

DcNEDiiV, this day.—The steamer lonic sailed fr in I lymouth onUth Instant, for Wellington, with 3-55 Dasaengprs.

COMMERCIAL.

EvEHufQ Star Office, this day.

sfoHBVSE. and A. Isaacs report on their auc- Vv n tale of rope, paints, etc., that there were a ijcmhor of bidders present, arid that most of tho imes offered worn disposed ol at satisfactory p.'; c;s. The yacht Florence was not sold at tho polo, but ito learn that Messrs Isaacs have 'since placed her privately at a very fair fig iro.

Nono of the sections of leasehold property offered bj-Messrs "Vaile and Douglas today were sold, tho prices offered falling to reach tho reserve. ,

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

Mails will Clobb as under—

This Da-y.

For Tauranga, Ohinemutu, and Opotikl, per Wellington, at 5 p.m. For -Whitiangi, Upper Mill, and Tairua, per Glenelg, at S p.m.

Friday, 12th inst.

For Waitara, per Hannah Mokau, at 7.10 a.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 8.30 a.m. For Hokianga, etc, per Argyle, at 11 a.m. For Cowesand Coromandel, per Coromnndol, at 1.30 p.m. For Whangarei Heads, Parna, Waipu, Whan garei, Kamo, Tangihna. and Mangapai, per Maogregor or Waitaki, at 5 p.m. For Thames, per Enterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Saturday, 13th inst. For Waiwera, Mahurangi. Matakana, and Mangawai, etc., per Rose Casey, at For Russell, Kawa Kawa, and Fiji, per Arawata, at 5 p m. For Taranaki and Southern Ports, per Hawea, immediately after arrival of s.s. Australia. For Australian Colonies, per Australia, im mediately after her arrival from Honolulu. ■Wednesday, 17th inst For Taranaki Southern ports, and London, via Rio do Janeiro and St. Vincent (per con tract stcamor Kaikoura, from Lyttolton on 20th instant), per Hawea. at 6 a.in. The United Kingdom mail will be due in London on Ist February. ■

N.8.--Froni and after the 15th November ult. the foUowtog rates of Postage must be prepaid , tx?s i^offfi?a^Su 5n Ic^ nßP™ httU-01U1Ce6r ObaUNewspapers,tw'openceeaoh -= ' -^Correspondence -addressed ■ria^SnsV «»^ 65^^^ Chief Poat.offlt^^a? 16'^^^:

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

December 11,1881. Abbott'B Opera House—"Leah tho Forsaken," 8 p.m. .

Union-street Wesleyan Sunday-school Enter tainment, 8 p.m. Star of Auckland Lodge, 1.0.0. F., N.Z.-Busl ness Meeting, 8 p.m. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church—Conver sazione, Choral Hall, 7.30 p.m. St. Matthew's Churoh—Organ Recital, 8 p.m. V.M.C.A.—Devotional, 7.30 p.m.

Notices to Correspondents.

J. L. B. Dimss.—We cannot flnrt spaco to discuss your peculiar views about what is sacred and the right of the dead. If a person btcals a bunch of flowers that has been laid on a grave ho is a scurvy thief, and ought to bo put in gaol whether tho dead have been robbed or not. Tho first rascal detected will, we hope, bo made a sovere example of by the Bench.

Births.

ADAMS.—At Homo Bay, on the 3rd Doeember, the wife of W. Adams of a son.

Death.

DAVIDSON.-On the 11th Decomber, 1881, after a short and painful illness, Thomas Davidson, aged 29 years. The funeral will leave his lato residence, Mary-strcot, Mount Eden, on Friday. 12 inst., at 2 o'clock. Frionds please accept this invi tation.

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1884.

For the cause that laoka assistance, For the wrong that needs rouiataooo. For the future in the diatanco, And the geod that we can do.

Our morningcontemporary was napping this morning when it declared that there would be no opportunity for Auckland people to reply to letters received per San Francisco mail, due here next Sunday, by the direct steamer Kai koura, leaving Lyttelton for London on the 20th iast. If the writer had simply turned to the mail notice -in the " Herald's" own columns, he would have been spared all that agitation, all those vials of wrath and indigna tion. Under date "Wednesday," the Hawea is announced to leave at 6 a.m., conveying the Auckland mails to connect with the Kaikoura, the Govern ment having made special arrangements with the Union Company for this ser^ vice. The mails leaving here on Wed nesday will be delivered in London on February 3rd, while the delivery by the next outgoing San Francisco mail, which leaves Auckland on January 6th, will not be made in London until February the 13th. Although not dividing the month into two eqaal fortnights, the direct service will give us a speedier delivery than we should probably have had if depending upon the Brindisi service.

Melbourne Bootmakers' Strike.

For tho last two weeks 1,200 workmen have been idle in Melbourne because of a trade disputo, and a cable messugo which we published yesterday states that tho feeling is getting stronger on both sides, and thero is no prospect of an early ter mination to tho unfortunate utrugglo, whilo Australian papers just received cay the probability is the deadlock will continue until after tho Now Year holidays. Tho dispute in tho Melbourne boot trado has been frequently referred to in our cable news, but no explanation was given as to the questions at issue between the employer and employed. We find that it is, as usual, a very trifling cause for such a big eruption. It has hitherto been the custom of the boot manufacturers to get a large proportion of tho "putting vp ff and "liniahing" worlc dbne outside their factories by people who work in their own homes; but while this arrangement was satisfactory to those im mediately concerned, it did not suit the Operative Bootmakers' Union, who stopped in and claimed to bo hoard, with a view to having the houra ef labour restricted to eight per diem, the whole of the work done in the factories, and "sweating" discou raged. The employers resented this inter ference as unwarranted, and, rathor than submit to the terms dictated, resolved to close their factories. The consequonce is that the operative bootmakers are losing about £400 a day in wages, and the employers are losing interest on their capital, all because they cannot agree aB to what is the best method of conducting the manufacture. It may seem unreasonable that the factory hands should demand a voice in the regulation of work done out side the factory, but this objection has little real force. The manufacture is a mutual concern, botk employers and em ploye's having rights and interests in it, and these outside workers are undoubtedly collaborateurs of the factory hands, bo it must be conceded that if the terms of em ployment of the finishers are inflicting a hardship on tho factory .workers, the latter have a perfect right to demand an altera tion.

But that is just the point which is not clearly established. There seems no ground for the charge of "sweating," though the outside system of work gives opportunity for it. As to the eight hours question, a real difficulty exists ; but it is doubtful whether an alteration would be beneficial. These home workers are.of course,on piece work, one of the grandest " planks in a trades-union platform; in present circum stances their hours of labour cannot be supervised, and to force them into factories would probably have the effect of destroying the piece-work basis, and substituting that of a fixed weekly wage. In this demand, therefore, the Union appears to be pursuing a mistaken policy. The least defensible portion of their contention, however, is the demand that all the work shall be done in the factories. If the rate of wages paid to workers outside is the same as the piece rate in tho factory, this demand is unreasonable, for it is surely exceed ing due bounds to claim the right to dictate to an employer in what sort of building his employe's shall work. If the Legislature is satisfied that no violence is being done to the laws of health and liberty, and if the persons employed have no com plaint to offer, why should fellow-workers have the right to demand a change ? Why, above all, should they be allowed to step between parties who are thoroughly agreed, and say that the workersball lose his wages and tho employer his profit for as long a period as their Union funds will enable them to hold out ? Unless the factory workers are prejudicially affected by tha arrangement, they have, we consider, no right to interfere, and it has not been shown that they suffer in any way. Of coureo, from a trades union standpoint, the factory system is preferred, because the regulation of hours and wages is an easy matter, and organisation for trade purposes can be made much more effective ; but the home system is healthier, and has other ad vantages besides the very notable one of payment by results,and not by an arbitraiy standard. That Unionists generally support the contention of the operative boot makers of Melbourne, is proved by the fact that the Painters', Coachmakers', and Felt Hat Mai*™' Societies have agreed to support them in their struggle with the employers. With the information which we posses i we can only lament that such a serious interruption to industry and to friendly feeling should have arisen on such mistaken grounds.

Strengthening the British Navy.

The sentiment that " Britannia rules the waves" has come to be closely identified with the bold declaration that " Britons ne\-er shall be slaves," and in the popular mind there is a hazy idea that the moment England ceases to be mistress of the sea her sons will lapse into a state of bondage. Whether correct or not, the impression is there, and is responsible for the alarm which was recently caused throughout Britain by the circulation of statements regarding the non.-efficiency; of the navy, and its growing weakness in comparison with the naval forces of other nations. Prompt action has followed the'pripular outcry, and the other day the First Lord of the Admiralty in timated the me&sureswhich: he proposed to adopt in. order rtb- maintain the naval supremacy of England. These embrace the building of four new ironclads and a number of torpedo boats, while a sum of five and a-hajf millions -sterling! 8 rlbo pro posed, to >>» "tu»»t «»»-!-- *1.0 navt,.flyg'

years on the construction of cruisers. The maintenance of these will add considerably to the Naval Estimates, which last year amounted to £11,578,058; but the circum stances of the ctiße seem to demand a large increase in the effective strength of the British naval defence forcos. Comparison with the French fleet shows this very strongly. In 18S1 the navy of Franco comprised 356 vessels, of which 59 were ironclads, while in 1883 the British navy consisted of 246 shipa in active commission, with 36 building and fitting. Of course, in ironclads tho British fleet holds tho premier position, Lord Northbrook giving tho present number at 40, against 31 owned by Franco. In tho not improbable ovent of a Franco-Italian alliance, Britain would stand a poor show, however, as tho 18 iron clads of Italy added to thoso of Franco would give a total of 49 against those which Britain would be able to sparo from her many outlying possessions, and which could not possibly be the whole of her 46 ironclads. The British taxpayer will doubtless offer no objection to an increase of taxation as the price of his security ; but the burden of defending tho colonies of tho Empire will be lightened by the measures for self-defence which are being adopted by these dependencies, and probably will be altogether lifted by tho consummation at no distant date of Imperial Federation.

This morning tho Hon. J. A. Tolo was engaged with the Mayor and Mr Garland in an inspection of the Hospital and Old Men's Refuge, in order to see what alterations and additions are required, with a view to con ferring on the subject with the Colonial Secretary on his return to Wellington. A scheme of charitable aid will doubtless form part of the Cabinet's local-government pro posals next session,

To-day we record the doath of Mr T. Davidson, ono of tho newly-elected elders of St. David's Presbyterian congregration. He was a man of sterling integrity, and has always maintained an exemplary charac ter. He leaves a widow and 3 children to mourn his loss.

Good progress is being mado with tho drainago works in Fatteson-street, Free man's Bay. The road has been opened and timbered" for a distanco of moro than 100 ft.

There was a light calendar before Messrs G. P. Pierce and F. L. Prime at the Police Court this day. One drunk, ono disorderly, and a lad charged with stealing horns and brooms from Sir Harbutt's factory. The first two were fined, and tho last-named was remanded till the 11th instant.

A passenger from Mercury Bay by the s.s. Glenolg complained to the police to day that during the trip ho had been robbed of £12. The matter is under inves tigation.

The traffic betweon Auckland and Devon port has been on the increase for some timo past, and tho FeVry Company have to put on extra boats about three times a weok in order to rolieve tho steamers running, ac cording to the time-table of a large quan tity of cargo, which would otherwise pro bably cause dolay and inconvenience.

The lunatic Minoguo is still at largo. He was seen at Kumea Junction on his way back from Manukau Heads on Tuesday night. Sergeant Greeno and his men are still in pursuit, and one of tho Asylum warders has gono to join the Helonsvillo constable and assist in the search.

Between Saturday night and Sunday morning Harbutt's brush factory in Eden Terrace was broken into and 2 dozen brushes and 9 pairs of polished horns woro stolen. The matter was placed in tho hands of the police. The missing articles wero found at various stores, whero they hai been disposed of by a young man named Edward Murphy. Ho was arrested by Detectivo Hughes yesterday afternoon and was this morning brought before tho Court.

The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society havo just comploted tho purchnso of a largo and well-situated block of build ings at corner of Queon and Fort-strceta, which will in duo course bo the location of tho offices of the Society. Tho block com prises tho Imperial Hotel and tho premises of Messrs Fry and Co., and the buildings will shortly be altered according to plans in course of preparation by Mr Arnold, archi tect, in order to render them suitablo for tho Society's business. Tho Socioty is to bo congratulated on having securod such which affords tho best guarantoo of tbo Society's stability, and will, no doubt, do much to advance ite interests.

Upper Symonus-streot was made lively last evening by a woman known as Annio Cox, but who boasts of fivo aliases. Annie was in a merry mood, sitting by the road work singing Salvation ditties, and per forming strange unties for a sane woman.as she represented herself to be. No less than 50 larrikins gathered around the woman, and pelted her until she becamo wildly excited and used unwomanly language. Presently Constable Dews appeared on tho scene, and on seeing this official, Annio became frantic, threatened to punch him, but,fortunately for the constable,sho could not stand. She had, however, the power of wagging her tongue, and gave utteranco to language unpolite. By extraneous aid Annie was safely landed in the lock-up, and was this morning ordered to pay 20s for her folly.

, The third annual report of tho Now Zen land Native Land Settlement Company 'shows that the sales for the year ended September 30th ult. gave a total of £32,G22 7s 2d. There is still an active inquiry for land in the East Coast district. The balance at credit of Profit and Loss Account for the year is sufficient to cover a dividend of S per cent, |on the small paid-up capital of the Comj ftijj; but the directors consider it inadvisuD.o to declare a dividend at present on account of the Company's large overdraft with their bankers. Considerable progress has been made during the year in clearing the titles to land assigned to ibe Company for disposal on account of the owners. Ninety one thousand five linndrad and eight acres, officially valued at £103,963, are now held under Land Transfer Title. It is [generally believed that within a short time, probably during the next session of the General Assembly, such a chango will be made in the existing law as will prevent direct dealings for land by Europeans with natives, and that in all subsequent transac tions the Government will intervene. In that case, as there would nec»ssarily be a limit to the extension of the operations of this Company, the duty of the directors would bo confined to the disposal of the lands therotofore con fided to them, and to the gradual winding up of its business. In the meantime nego tiations for the surrender of additional blonka of land have been opened, and tho Company's obligations to the native owners must be provided. As the paid-up capitaf of the Company, £21,208, is found to be insufficient for its legitimate current requirements, the directors have re solved to make calls, amounting in the whole to £1 per share, in.sums of 5s per share, at intervals of three months. The Company's property list thews a total area of 270,003 ac c <, the value of the unsold por tion being estimated at £266,746,

Mr Coburn, Jate manager in Fiji for the large Melbourne firm, McEwen and Co., has established in Auckland the South Sea IslandsFruitandGeneral TijadingCompany. Being thoroughly familiar with the require ments of the trade, Mr Coburn will be in an admirable position for placing Fijian pro ducts upon tho New Zealand marliets to the best advantage. Planters have sus tained continual losses upon fruit shipments to New Zealand in consequence of the want of a proper organisation for distributing the produce. Bananas that would bo in splen condition for sale on arrival at Auckland are often on the freight list for Dunedin and Wellington, the result being the total loss of the fruit before it reaches its destination. The new Company will arrange to have consignments shipped in suitable boxes. The fruit will bo landed in Auckland and conveyed direct to store, where it will bo sorted and distributed, according to con dition, to the several colonial ports. Tho numercui handlings and loss by wast 3 and tl eft will thus be obviated, and the fruit delivered at each of tho agencies which Mr Coburn has arranged at the chief ports, Instructions will be sent to shippors at Fiji with reference to the kinds of fruit to be shipped and their condition. It is believed that by attention to these details, a better average quality will be obtained. In addi tion to fruit, the Company will place Fiji, coffee, spices, and tobacco on the market. The latter is said to be the finest leaf in the .■world, and the Government stores at Fiji are full of it. It has, however, been shut out of the colonies by high duties. Tea planting 'in also extending in the island.o, and the quality is pronounced almost equal to Indian. Altogether, there is a splendid field for the operations of the Company in New Zealand. By acting as brokers between the shippers, and consignees, the Company can contribute yery materially to: the development of our.:trade with tre islands, and to keeping our markets better supplied with island products, to the mutual advantage of the producer and con- 1 Burner, ~-.-.

The gold watch and chain stolen from Mr Alexander Barnett's residence by the youth Symner, who did the Pacific slope on Tuesday, have been found at Mr Bloom's pawnshop, They were pledged by Symner for several pounds, and tho ticket was sold by him to an unsuspecting friend. Tho latter has returned tho ticket, and the jewellery will be returned on payment of the amount lent upon it. No trace has been discovered of tho remainder of the missing property. Payment of the cheques, other than the two cashed, has been stopped at tho Bank.

It was reported to the Sydney police last Wednesday that a leper had been discovered among tho Chineao in Lower George street, and on inquiry it proved that • a celestial, whose name is not yet known, who had previously been under treatment for leprosy, had again dove) oped what appeared to be symptoms of that disorder. His countrymen, with their characteristic humanity, had turned the poor wretch out from among them, and talked of taking horoic measures with an axe to put tho sufferer out of his pain. He was, however, removed by the police, and is now properly isolated and under medical inspection, in order that it may be definitely ascertained whether tho disease is leprosy or not. Two excursions to the West Coast Sounds have been arranged by the Union Company for tho holiday season, and the fino steamer Tarawera is to bo run on both. Tho first excursion leaves Port Chalmers on Satur day(l7th January) next, and the second on Monday, 2Cth January. It is anticipated that each trip will occupy eight days from Port Chalmers, during which tho most beau tiful of tho Sounds will bo visited, and special facilities will be afforded for amuse ments of a varied character.

Tho United Temperance dolcgates have adopted a programme; of sports for thoir fute'oi) Boxing Day, and havo invited the Eight Hours Demonstration Committee to join in tho festival. The Onohunga Band has been engagod to play tho procession to tho Domain. A meeting for the purpose of making final arrangements will bo held on tho 17th instant.

A gross caso of revolting cruelty to a horso is rcportod from tho South. It appears that tho animal was either unable or unwilling to rise, and after half-an-houv'a lashing, an inhuman friend wound up his courso of treatment by pouring boiling water down the ears of tho horse.

Bearing out somo remarks about tho evils resulting from tho use of modern pave ments, from recent Home papers received wo notice that in many places in London the old Macadamised roads are to supplant wooden blocks, tho latter having been proved by medical men to bo notoriously unhealthy, as well as causing many cases of eye disease.

Last night in St., Sepulchre's Church, the Right Rev. J. R. Selwyn, Bishop of Melanesia, delivered a very interesting address on his work in tho islands. The church was largely attendod, and most of tho clergy wore also presont. A baptismal service was held, and a little girl baptised by the Bishop in accordance with parental wishes. Tho Bishop's address was short, pithy, and earnest.

At the meoting of the Otahuhu Mutual Improvement Association on Monday oven ing, Mr Luko in the chair, the following members wero olocted to oflico for the ensuing year:—Mr Thomas Hall, Prcsidont; Mr S. Luko, Vico-Presidont; Mr James Mvii, Secretary*;' Mr G. Whitomoro, Treasurer; and Messrs G. Lippiatt, J. Gordon, J. Box, H. Simons, and A. Sturges mombers of Committee,

The Christmas gift salo in aid of tho now Grnfton Road Wesloyan Church was con tinued yesterday, with a Bimilar musical progrummo to that of tho prorious day, but the receipts woro not so good as antici pated. A few minutes aftor 10 o'clock, tho Row R. Bavin closed tho salo, thanking the friends who had contributed towards tho object in view, and especially tho ladies who had industriously assisted in producing tho articles. This morning, tho remaining unsold goods woro conveyed to tho school room in Grafton Road

A successful entertainment in connection with tho Excelsior Good Templar Lodge was hold last, ovening in the Franklin Road School room. Mr 1). Goldio oocupied tho chair, and delivered a practical address on the subject of total abstinence from intoxi cants. Ho then presented a very hand somo baton, in tho names of tho sub scribers, to tho conductor of tho choir, on which was incribed :—" Prosonte"d to Jnmw Jenkins, by tho membora and friends o£ tho Excelsior EoagoT TBSC"" Mr Jonkina modestly acknowledged tho gift in appro priato terms. Mr Johnstono thereafter gavo a brief lecture on chemistry, with ox periments. Tho following piecos wcro ren dered during tho evening :— Chorus, "Who are These in Countless Numbers ?;" songs by Messrs Jenkins, Johnstono, Hunt, and by Mrs Reid and Miss Smith ; recitations by Miss Froudo, Misses Robb, and Mrs Anderson.

A vory praiseworthy endeavour to in terost tho young in tho study of nature, and givo thorn healthful and ploasurablo employment during tho approaching holi day season, has been mado by Mr Leonard, head-master of Parnell public school. Ho lias instituted competitions in tho following fivo departments, viz.:—(1) For model of a log hut of two rooms, made of manuka or other sticks; (2) collection of insects, classifiedand named ; (3) collection of leaves of Now Zealand, trees, mounted and named ; (4) collection of shells, named ; (5) collection of ferns, mounted and named. Two prizes aro offered in each class, the first of the value of Cs, and the second 3s, to be awarded in books chosen by the winnor himsolf. The experiment thus in stituted might with advantage recoive ex tended application in all our public schools.

The ceremony associated with tho pre-. sentation of tho complimentary address to Mr Consul Griffin yosterday afternoon ter minated with a few remarks from the Chair man of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr Reid said that it had been suggested to him that ho might seize the opportunity to state that the objoct of the gathering had the cordial support not only of tho Auckland Chamber of Commerce, but of all the mer cantile community of Auckland, as far as he could judge. Ho thought he had a good occasion for judging, from tho fact that he had in connection with the testimonial met a great number of the merchants of tho placo.and the feeling had boon one of general regret, as had been stated, at the departure of Mr 'Consul Griffin, and of con gratulation upon his promotion. He could say for himself, as one having had business relations at the American Consulate, that business had never been put in a more pleasant way by any Consul who had been here before ; and the readiness with which Mr Griffin had at all times offered his ser vices to the people of Auckland was well worthy of being recognised. (Applause.)

Mrs G. B. W. Lewis, who opens hero on Boxing Night with a special!} -selected dramatic company, is evoking plenty, of gush from the critics of the Wellington press. One paper, speaking of her por traiture of Jane Shore, says:—" Whether as the flattered but secretly-hated favourite of the dying King, the cast-off toy pleading to her husband, the repentant woman spurning the base offers of the villainous Duke of Gloucester, or aa the persecuted outcast doomed never to rest or be refreshed with bite or sup, Mrs Lewis was alike fault less in her dolineation of the character, and natural in all her words and ways. At tho close of the last sceno there were few dry eyes among the fairer sex present, while the sterner sex wore no less strongly aTccted. The play in her hands, nnd with tho able support of her talented company, is a grand moral lesson, and an intellectual feast which all may be the better for shar ing in."

Valuable contributions to the controversy on tho efficiency of tho British navy have been supplied in the shape of an exhaustive and instructive lotter to the " Times " from Sir Edward Rood, and by a speech from Sir Thomas Brassey. Among exports there seems to be a general concensus of opinion that cruising vosecls are insufficient by thomsolves for tho requirements of latter-day warfare. Sir Edward Reed undertakes in a very able manner to defend tho ironclad, and to up hold tho valuo of armoured ships. En tirely disbelieving that ships cannot be made to resist the most powerful guns, ho advocates the speedy construction of fresh ironclads. His letter, however, is remark able chiefly on account of the estimate which it gives of our naval strength as com pared with that of other nations. If con firmation of the accuracy of the statements recently made as to our weakness were required, we have it here. Whilst we can show a displacement of only 437,210 tons, Trance is represented by 425,000 tons ; Italy by 127,000 tons ; Russia, lOSjOOO tons ; Germany, 104 080 tons; Austria, 64,400 tons. Thus Prance need only find an ally in tho weakest of naval Powers to be more than a match for Great Britain. It is^for Englishmen to decide whether or not this state of things is to. .continue. England has not, ■ like the. Continental Powers,, to ;maintain an enor mous army. It is, therefore,' the more un pardonable that our navy is only stronger by some 12,000 men than that of our neigh bpnron the other'.gfrfe'nf the Channel,

Stock and sharemarket still inactive. The only sales to-day were :—Cambria, 8s 6d, 9s; North Devon, 2s 9d; Darwin, buyers at ss, sellers Bs.

The bricks which were complained of as obstructing Northeote wharf have all been removed.

Tho probability that next session will witness another dissolution of the House of Representatives has already aroused elec tioneering ngents to activity. Likely and certain candidates for various seats are already spoken of. It would appear that somo of the recently-elected representatives have not given altogether unmixed satisfac tion to their constituents. The committee which worked might and main to secure the return of ono prominent member for a local constituency has been equally ener getic during the last few days in finding a good man to oppose him in the ovent of another contest, and they claim to have been successful in their search,

A meeting of the Crimean Veterans Asso ciation was hold at Robson's Rooms last evening for the purpose of framing rules and regulations for future guidance. Mr Handly occupied tho chair. It was agreed to admit as members those who had seen active service in Her Majesty's service in any part of the world on land or eea. A largo number of names were submitted, and botweon.6o or 70, who produced satisfactory evidence that they had been under fire, were enrolled.

The strongly-wrought and sombre drama "Leah the Forsaken" was played last night at the Opera House betore a un usually largo audience. Miss Crawford gave an admirable impersonation of the wronged and passionate Jewess, and Mr Teece made a passable Rudolph, Mr Me- Gowan's Nathan, and tho Father Lorenze of Mr J. J. Welsh (who undertook the rflle at very short notico) wore truthful por traitures. " Leah " will be repeated this evening, and Miss Crawford takes a well earned bon. to-morrow, for which occasion a "bill" of exceptional attractiveness is advertised.

The following neat thing in the way of English orthography was handed to the Rosident Magistrate this morning. It was addrossed by a judgment debtor to his grocer:—" street, Decomber 11th, 1884. Mrs as to day is Cort day I send this to let you know I cannot meat your count I am prest on all sides. I hay made up my mind to fiile my shiddle it is imposable for me to pay any one. I shall filo on Monday." It is no wonder that judi cial skill got hopelessly muddled in the attempt to decipher the epistle, and that Mr Stoney's aid had to be invoked for tho entanglement of sense from tho maze of original spelling,

In an extremely interesting precis drawn up by Dr. Lyons, M.P., of the reports on forests issued by tho United States Depart ment of Agriculture, it is stated (a London paper points out) that tho forest area of America in represented by 380,000,000 acros of land ; while tho forest areas of tho different countries of Europe amount to 801,000,000, of which the Russian Empire comprises 409,500,000 acres, and Sweden and Norway 75,000,000 acres. England stands pre-eminent as tho greatest importer of timber, with a mean of nearly 300,000,000 cubic feet; and yet she presents but tho very miserable area of 2,174,083 acres of forosts within her own territory, of which Scotland alono furnishes nearly ono half. In no other country, therefore Dr. Lyons says, is tho forest problem of such direct import, and yet she has not evon now awakened to tho consideration of the magni tude of tho interests involved, and the enor mous difficulties of the problems to be srl ved with regard to the future timber supply. What with tho timber and tbo great forest products, such as bark, paper, tar, pitch, wood, oils, resin, &c, her imports of forest products amount to £20,000,000 per annum, and it is not, he thinks, too much to say that not alono her mnritimo supromacy, but her position as a first-class power in the world, depend on tho freost supplies of theso pro ducts, whilo her domestic industries would bo hopelessly crippled if they wore oven temporarily susponded.

Mr 11. M. Stanley, the African explorer, was [resent at a meeting held in the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, for tho purpose ol! establishing a geographical society for Manchester, and delivered an address on tho importance of geographical research. Ho remarked that the attainment of know ledge of distant lands had nowhere proved to England so dear as in tho mysterious African continent, for of the 800 explorers who had left England to clear up tho tWlth nl,out tlmt, foitilo , laud, two. thirds had Buccumbed to murder and diseaso. But tho truth was now being re vealed ; and instead of its being, as was always supposed, a desert, it had been proved, as ho himself knew, a land ef matchloss fertility. Unfortunatoly, through the ignorance or lassitude of England, Franco had boon permitted to establish n railway in the Niger basin, and we could only securo trade there by competing with her. As to the Nile basin, it had been brought more _ prominently before the notice of Englishmen recontly by the ex pedition for tho rescue of great Gordon : — "If tho Government, whilo pursuing its own policy, indirectly promoted commerco, it would be a matter for congratulation j or, in other words, if tho Government saw fit to retain Khartoum for high political reasons, then indirectly such a course would promote commerce ; and if it wore argued that the Government should retain Khartoum be cause it would be advantageous to com merce, it did not follow that the undertak ing would be profitable. Commerce could not thrive when based on violence ; but sup posing that Egypt were permanently occu- Eied and annexed to this empire, it would c politic for Egypt's sake to retain Khar toum, and he should see no injustice in that stop, because it was in reality a city in an upper province long ago annexed to Egypt. They might then be congratulated upon it, because it would then be profitable to construct a rail way from Souakim to Berber, by which they would obtain access to a navigable river of 2,000 miles to Sennaar, through a populous country with various products for commerco. As to the Congo baain, he hoped that England would not allow any feeling of insane jealousy to provent hearty cooperation with the International Asso ciation."

THE KHARTOUM EXPEDI TION.

[BY CABLE —COPYRIGHT.]

Cairo, this day. The head-quarters of the British expedition for the reliof of Khartoum will advance on Saturday next fromDongola to Ambukol.

RETURN FROM THE "HOLI NESS CAMP MEETING."

(BY MttEGBAPH—OWN COKRKSPONDKNT.)

Port Albeiw, this day. Mb Thomas, the American "holiness" evangelist, accompanied by the Auckland residents who have been taking part in the camp meeting, left hero this morning by steamer for Helensville.

EXAMINATION IN BANK RUPTCY.

James Clarke, storekeeper, was examined to-day on oath before the Official Assignee. Ho said ho was a storekeeper, and com menced business at the Thames in the early days of the goldfield, and continued there until the December of 1882, when he went to Te Archa, which at that time was in a very prosperous state. Tilings went on satisfactorily, and he got good returns during the first twelve months, after which the mining interest began to get depressed, and has gono from bad to worse ever since. 110 had valuable leasehold and freehold proporty at Te Aroha. Mrs Clarke kept what books were used. They consisted of an order book, day-book (in which articles sold on credit were en tered), and ft lodger, into which the entries in these two books were posted every night. He considered the bank pass-book was suffi cient for tho purpose of a cash-book, though he paid away money from the till on dis charge of small accounts and household ex pense, and of such disbursements there is no record. Allhispropertyisunencumberedsave a balance due to the Thames Building Society, on tho two houses, &c, in Whit aker-street (his placo of business), of £194 12s 2d, and if this is paid off in tho cur rent month there will bo a robate of about £20.

TABLE TALK.

Fox's Martyrs.—Fowls. Mignonette murderers respitod. St. Andrew's Church conversazione to night. Napier folks want a telephone exchange. The Kennedy family are now performing in Glasgow. Wellington is soaked with rain, and just hoping for the advent of spring. Ghosts are supposed to come from gnome man's land. ' Sir Moses Montefiore, tho centenarian, drinks tho Queen's health every day after dinner. The Secretary of the Industrial Exhibi tion is now on a visit to Christchurch. A private company ;ias been iloatod at Wellington to carry a railway to Hutt Racecourse. Retrenchment and Reform in the big wooden shop.—Half-a-dozon clerks are to be " sacked " from tho Railway Audit Depart ment. The Native Minister is back in Welling ton from hie West Coast tour. Gorald Massoy starts his New Zealand lecturing tour next month at Dunedin. The costume of the leading chiof of New Guinea consists of "a wide-awake and an old shirt." Five men from Christchurch Fire Brig ade go to the competition at Dunedin. Waring Taylor was yesterday committed for trial on two other charges of embezzle ment. Wanted—A roport of a fire which shall not say that "the bells rang out an alarm, and simultaneously a fierco glare," etc., etc. To guard of small-pox, passengers and crews of the Union Steamship Company's boats are to be rigidly inspected at Mel bourne as well as Sydney. A hundred tons of antimony obtained at Endeavour Inlet is being shipped from Wellington to England. Richard Whitley has been seriously tjurediby, jumping off a train in motion at ensington, OtSgoV "Quoenin's Patent Nightsbll manure™ is tho latest emanation of inventive genius in Auckland. The fire insurance companies of Sweden offer a reward of £500 for the most prac tica' device to arrest sparks and cinders from locomotive and steamboat stacks. The Postmaster-General of the United Kingdom has given b.19 consent to dropping tho "s" in designating the " Parcels Post," which will henceforth be known as the "Parcel Post." " A fiddling fool of the Georgian race " is what a Dublin paper recently dubbed the Duke of Edinburgh. It is somo consolation to think that the fine weather is being kept bottled up for the Christinas and New Year season. After a man has led a fast life for a while the fast life begins to lead him. Tho laco industry in Britain employs 9,000 men and 41,000 women. Recent railway accidents in Victoria have cost the Government over L 200.000. David Dewar, of Milton, Otago, was seriously injured last niy.ht by the capiza ing of a traction engine and mill belong ing to himself. Another "rung " in the Evolution ladder. Dr. Yon Lendenfeld, of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, has succeeded in dis covering the nervous system of the sponge, thereby proving their animal nature beyond doubt. In England a short time ago, a boy of 11 killed himself because his teacher refused to allow him a holiday to ?o bird-nesting, An agitation against ChVuese labour by the shipping companies has sprung up in Sydney. Small Boy—"Pa, did ycu know ma long beforo you married her?" Pa—"l didn't know her until long after I had married her."

How does Pat propose to g.it over single blessedness ? Why he proposes to Bridge-it, of course. One of the " stern, unbending Tories " of Lothian says that Mr Gladstone is like a concert piano, being always grand, though neither square nor upright. Such are the horrors of a political campaign in Great Britain. Such is fame! This is from the "Sydney Evening News":—"Mr W. Swanson, ex-member for Newton, New Zealand, is dead." We beg to assure our contemporary that Willies no' deid yet ! If, in proportion to size, a man could holler as loud as a baby { there would be no telephones needed in this country. Here is a nut for phrenologists to crack: "If big heads are a sign of astuteness, should not a cabbage be sharper than a pin ?"

The wheat trade of India is growing rapidly. In 1881, only 7,000,000 cwt were reported, against 20,000,000cwt in 1883. The cancelled Bank of England notes for five years represent £1,750,626,000, and weigh 90S tons. Judging by the dirk at tached to them, New Zealand notes are never cancelled. A ninety-two-year-old lady in New York is just learning to play the piano, She says that a woman who can't play some sort of an instrument nowadays stands but a poor show of getting married. "Debt," remarks Josh Billings, "is a trap which a man sets and baits himself, and then deliberately gets into." One of the problems which puzzle a musician is how to strike a bee flat without getting stung by its demi-semi- quaver. Over seven millions sterling are invested in co-operative societies in England. Never look over a person's shoulder when he is writing. He may be writing what he thinks of you. The favourite song of tho ladies of Nottingham, England, is said to be: If she take a glass often, Thera's nothing can soften The heart of a woman like Nottingham ale. A concrete has been discovered for back ing lithographic stones, which, when thus fortified, need be no more than one inch thick, and will continue serviceable until worn into a thin film. In Glasgow there is ono public-house license to 69 families, one school to 707, ono baker to 279, one butcher to 448 ; and one dairyman to 413. The School Committee at Halifax, Eng land, recently took a plebiscite to ascertain the feeling entertained with regard to home lessons by the parents of every child in the board schools. As a result it was found that the parents have pronounced against home lessons by a majority of 3 to 1. It is a Mississipi man who put it thus : "At the earnest solicitation of those to whom I owe money, I have consented to become a candidate for the country treasurership," , , ~ .

THE A.R.C SUMMER MEETING.

Training Notes,

[By Hippona.]

I paid a visit to Ellerslio racecourse this morning to witness the horses undergoing their preparation for the Auckland Summer Meeting. The weather being beautifully j fine, there was a very large muster, and a j lot of useful work was done. Proceedings commenced with the jumping horses Volunteer and Topthorn, being sent twice round- in company, tho latter being afterwards treated to a smart spin alone. The two-year-olda Derringer and Thunder bolt (in clothing) cantered twice round, and Mr Lushington's pair, Lionel and Lioness, did a smart-brush of about a mile. Wel come Jack was sent twice round on the plough, Sou'wester following in the rear. Tho champion is looking healthy and well. Clarence (with Bob Ray up) did a couple of turns on the plough, and Ugly Buck was given half-pace work. Koss Heaton sent Alaric a good working gallop, , and he has him looking particularly well. Minerva and the Painter each did a useful once round, but their stable companion, The Poet, merely did walking exercise. This team is under the charge of the well known Christchurch trainer, S. Higgott. Administrator went a couple of turns round tho plough at a moderate pace. He is looking very fresh and well, and has improved a lot since he was seen here at the Autumn Meeting. The two year-old filly Nemesis, by St. George— FleuraT)ge, put in a useful once round, and Libeller (looking well), Cast Ashore, Tetford, and Slider did serviceable work. Rifleman, by Musket—Miss Ariel, and St. Michael wont onco round at half pace George Wright's team, consisting of Wood nymph, Carbineer, Revolver, and Steal All, and the jumping horses Sunray, Julia Ann, Minuet, Southern Chief, and Macaroni were treated to useful work. Necklace was on tho course, but only did walking exercise.

Yesterday, a visiting bookmaker took 500 to 50 about Necklace for the Auckland Cup, and coupled with Barbary for the Steeplechase, 1,000 was got on at 100's to 3 and 4. Her quoted price for the Cup now is 100 to 12. The transaction, I can state authoritatively, has nothing whatever to do with the stable, they not having backed her for a single shilling. Added to this there is a likelihood that she may not see tho post for the Cup. Radames has gone amiss, and was an absentee from the training ground this morning. A general meeting of Tattersall's Club took place last night for the purpose of con sidering five new rules, of which notice of motion had been given. Mr R. E. Isaacs presided. The first, which was to provide for members joining to state whether it was as a bookmaker or a private member, was postponed for a week, in order that the Committee might draw up one to meet the wishes of the Club generally. The second clause as to the power of the Committee was decided as unnecessary, it being already provided for in tho rules. Clause 3, being dependent on clause 1, was aleo post poned, but clauses 4 and 5 were adopted. They are as follow:—4. "That the Secretary shall communicate with the various Tattersalls in New Zealand and the other colonies quarterly, for the purpose of ascertaining the names of defaulters." 5. "Any member of tho Club offering a price on the field, if tho bet is accepted by a member, shall he compelled. to lay the same, unless he has previously laid it, and the acceptor of the bet may compel him to produce his book to show that he has laid such bet." Wellington, this day. It is the intention of the Wellington Jockey Club to add another day to tho pro gramme already published for their Sum mer Meeting, thus making a three-days' meet. The day decided on is Saturday, 7th February, which is the same day as the second day of the Wellington Racing Club Meeting.

TWO LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

We recently had the pleasure of inspect ing two very flourishing industries that have reccDtly sprung up in Parnell. We refer to thomanufactory of the New Zealand Vinegar Company, and the vinegar, sauce, and essence works of the Ittett OrtWßTrw«wi«. 8 ,£2a mnail « ,o?ko,S*al-,, visited was the New Zealand Vinegar Com pany's works, which is under the manage ment of Mr Stuart. The plant resembles that of a small brewery. The brew just now averags 400 gallons. The quantity of marketable vinegar usually kept in stock is 20,000 gallons. A great point in the manufacture is the provision of efficient filtration. This is provided for by five large filters, each containing 200 gallons. The vinegar manufactured is made from the purest test, and taking a sample from one of the barrels, we applied the sulphide of barrium test for the purpose of ascertaining whether any sul phuric acid had been used. Not a trace of the deleterious adulteration was discovered. There is scarcely a brand of British vinegar in the market that is free from adulteration of sulphuric acid. The barrium test is simple, and should be remembered by housewives. Place a small portion of the suspected vinegar into a clean glass, and pour into it a few drops of the sulphide of barrium (a sufficient quantity of this chemical to make 100 tests can be obtained for sixpence). If sulphuric acid is present in the vinegar, it will at once become cloudy; while if pure, the vinegar will re main clear. The Red Cross Works are un der t he management of Mr Cumming, late of Waikato. He manufactures vinegars, sauces, curry, cordials, and essences, in cluding essences of vanilla, ginger, and lemon. The sauce is remarkably good, o brand known as the New Zea land Relish* particularly so. The Red Cross Relish is mild, yet appetising and tasty. It is coming into general use in fia clubs and leading hotels, and its merits only requiro to be known to cause it to come into more general use. We sampled some of the curry prepared by Mr Cumming, and found that it will compare favourably with the imported article. A few weeks ago a shipment of the curry was sent 'to Sydney, and took very well. We wish both these industries every success, and consider them well worthy of the support of the pooplo of Auckland.

MINING NEWS.

(BY TEKQRArH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Thames, this dny. New Prince Imperial.—The manager will joso no time in proceeding with the de velopment of the main branch of No. 2 lode at No. 7 level.

Magnolia. — Rabe, tributer, crushed seven loads for 14ozs. lldwts.

Adelaide.—The crushing for Williams, tributer, realised 2ozs. 17dwts.

Wolseley. — A site for tho Company's shaft has been selected, and a contract will . shortly be let for sinking 100 feet. The Gordox Licknse. — Tho Gordon License holding, situate above the Cambria mine, lately pegged out by \\. A. Hunt and Edwards, has been placed in the hands of Mr Arthur D. Bennett, accountant, for tho purpoEO of forming a company, and some thirty promoters' shares are already taken up. Hunt and Edwards only receive four shares for their trouble, the. money raised to bo spent in developing tho ground. The remaining shares aro to be got from tho brokers. coromandel. Tokatea—Gold Discovery in the Low Level.—The manager telegraphs to-day : "About 2,720 feot in, a small vein has made in level showing a few colours of gold. As yet of no importance further than gold at this depth.—John V. Hall."

CABLEGRAMS.

[BY CABLE.—OOPTEiaHT.]

The Franco-Chinese War.

Paris, December 9.—lnstructions have been sent to Admiral Courbet and General De Lisle to pursue a policy of inaction, and to refrain from engaging the enemy.

Respite of the. Mignonette Murderers.

London, -December 10.—Dudley and Stephens, the captain and mate of the yacht Mignonette, found guilty of murder ing the boy Parker and sentenced to death, wero today respited. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency market telegram, dated .London, December 9th, reports :—

Wool: Market unchanged. Wheat: Market quiet. Adelaide is worth 36s 6d, New Zealand 31s 6d, and Tuscan 33s 6d per 4961b3. Adelaide f.a.q.is worth, c.i.f., off coast, 34s 6d per 4801bs. Adelaide wheat, new crop, to arrive ex iron Bhip is worth, c.i.f,, S4s 6d per 4801bs, January B lading. Tallow.—Market quiet, Mutton is worth 345, and beef 33s 6d per cwt.

Leather.—Market quiet. Best sides are worth lljd per lb. . -.

New Zealand Hemp. — Market quiet. Fine is worth £25, and medium £18 per ton.

THE INTERPROVINCIAL CRICKET TOUR.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.]

Dunedin, this day. The "Star" has the following reference to t the Auckland team's projected tour :—"An unfortunate hitch has arisen in connection with the proposed visit of an Auckland team to Christchurch during Christmas week. Those getting up the team having all but completed their arrangements,sought the sanction of the Auckland Cricketers' Association, but that body, by a narrow majority, declined to sanction the despatch of a team South this year. The grounds on which they based their decision are not known here. The promoters of the trip do not appeal- dispirited by the astion of the Association, for they have completed their arrangements, and they have written to friends in Christ church and Dunedin asking the latter to use their friendly offices with the Canter bury and Otago Associations in order to induce these bodies to recognise the team as interprovincial. The Canterbury Asso ciation have acceded, but the Otago Asso ciation are met by the difficulty that their rules provent them putting in the field a team except to play an interprovincial, in tercolonial, or international match. Our Association have given the matter long and earnest consideration, because they con cede that a team which includes such first class players as Barton, Arneil, Lankham, Testro, Coxonj Lynch, and Robinson is thoroughly representative in allbutname. But the Association had on numerous, occasions declined to play teams, no matter how strongly composed, unless accredited by the Association of the pro vincial district ; there was no alternative, and a negative reply had to be forwarded to Eobinson, It is still open to the latter to overcome the difficulty. A little pressure should be brought to bear on the Auckland Association to send them off with their con currence. Tiie Otago Association never committed themselves to sanding a team to Auckland, though, hod circumstances been; different, they should have endeavoured to despatch a team this season. Unless the Auckland Association give way, the matter will probably be left to W. N. Dixon, who; should have no difficulty in getting together a first-class Dunedin team to do oattle against the Aucklanders, as most, if not all, the interprovincial team will, under Ethe circumstances, willingly place themselves at his disposal."

TELEGRAMS.

Thames, thisday.—ln reply to representa tions in reference to the Thames Valley' railway extension, the Mayor has received a telegram from the Minister of Public Works stating that instructions will shortly be given for letting the formation contract beyond Kopu to the full extent of the vote]

Timaeu, this day.—At the Supreme Court, Joseph Dyer was found guilty of the larceny of a valuable security, viz., a cheque for £9. The point was raised whether.the.cliea.u.e. Jarwhieh no Drovisic* had ever been made in tne~b"aiiK"(BS"iwHß'Taiv— case now), could be considered a valuable security. Sentence was deferred the decision of the question.

Dusedin, this day.—Warder Strong, of Dunedin Gaol, has been promoted to ■ the Inspectorship of Works at Lyttelton Gaol.'

.The Extraordinary Perjury Case,

Invercabqill, this day.—Tho jury in the case of Meikle, charged with perjury, were unable to agree this morning, after having been locked up all night, and when the Court resumed at 10 o'clock it was decided to proceed with a fresh trial, a. new,'jury being empannollcd. !

A SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

A Mother Murders Her Child and then

Hangs Horsolf.

A tersibls tragedy is reported from Yanko, New South Wales, on 2nd inst. On Saturday night the wife of a man employed in scrubbing got a pair of shears and out her child's throat. She then, with a small axe, chopped its head completely off, and also threatened to kill her other children. She afterwards ran away, and when her husband returned from work in the evening he saw the ghastly sight, and ran to the. homestead with tidings. On the way he met station men coming down to inquire the truth of the story, which had already been conveyed by a boundary rider. This man saw the woman (after the deed had been committed) at a considerable distance from where ahe resided, and noticed blood on. her clothes, and asked her the cause. She told shim that she had killed her child. He galloped to the homeatoad, and information was given to the police,, who started tie same night in search of the' missing woman, After a long search she was found hanging behind a brush fence. For several weeks past her manner had been peculiar,' and it is supposed that in a sudden fit of insanity she committed the deed.

R.M. COURT.—This Day.

(Before H. G. Seth Smith, Esq., R.M.) UNDEFENDED OABEB.I

In the following cases the defendants failed" to appear, and the plaintiffs haying proved their claims, obtained judgment:—J. Buchanan v." J. Pago, £15 8s Bd, and £2 7s costs; K. Binney v. N. King, £1 16g, and 26s 6d oosta; Brown. Barrett and Co. v. Wm. Callashan;-£29 Is 3d, and 36s costs; R. C. Barnes v. Wm. Humrldee. 1 21s 4d, and 25s fld costs; C. H. Dodge v. Richard Georgo, £10 ss, and £2 6soosts; Wm. Pat terson v. George Pearson, £2 15s 6dl and 25s 6d costs; W. G. Allen v. John Mor row, £7 11s lid, and 3Ss costs; Hammond and another v. Wright and Vincont, S3 and £2 Os 6d costs; W. S. Jones v. N. H. Lumsden, £5 12a, and 10s costs; Dunne, Hall, & Co. v. Albert Eagleton, £110s 3d, and 15s costs; Jas. Cauehey v. K. J. Jame9, 20s, and 2Cs 6d costs; J. S John ston v. Habgood and Chatfleld, £9 Ss, and £2 costs; Wm. Munro v. John Twohey, £3 Bs. and costs. 25s Cd. W. Hockis v. W. Smith, £76s 7d, and 3os costs, ,

JUDGMENT SUMMONS OASES. ~ " in^o A> uovy v> Whitesideand Horn.-Claim, ---411 2a.-Homo ordered to pay at tho rate of 7a M per week; and Whitesido at the rate of 2s 6d por week.- U days in default. x>r Pi • rnes VJ KB- B- SewelU-Clalm. W 65.-prder made for payment at rate of 6s per week: 7 days in default •»• and J. Warnook v. E. Clingwin.—Claim, ki 8s —By consent'an order was made for pay ment at rate of 3s per week: i dayß in default. A. H., Nathan v. T. H. HoyI.—Claim.1 .—Claim. £4 lla. Ordered to pay within a month, 7 days in de-' ADJOURNED. D.Twohill v. Hector Simeon, £815s; T. andS. Morrin and Co. v. James Revell, £7; AlexJ whyte v. E. McGlashan, £10 ; J. R. Montague v> )Ym Ji,rSaye^' sen-A" & i Garliok and Cran well v. Wm. Clarke, 46 7s id ; Jaa. llndsay v. Joseph Caldicutt, £6 16s 6d; J. R. Ranffljteon v, Mrs Blliott, £5 13s 6d. : DEFENDED OASES. f! .. . Abraham Levy v. Louis Dare-Claim; «5 fis; wages and money lent.—Mr Cotter for plaintiff, Mr Theo. Cooper for defendant.—The litigants are young men, and brothers-in-law. De fendant is a draper carrying on business in Victoria-street West, and plaintiff had been in his employ as an assistant.—Defendant ob jected to the long hours of service on Saturday night, and gave notice on a Saturday of Ms intention to leave. Monday was a holiday, and he did not return until Tuesday, when plaintiff turned him out of the shop. The claim was for three weeks' wages at 30s per week, and money lent; and the money lent, as well as two weeks' wages, was admitted. ■ The dispute was asto the week's^ wages in lieu of. notice.—His Worship decided that plaintiff was entitled'o this, and after admitting a set-off of £2 5s fo board and lodging he gave judgment for plain tifffo«3; and.27sßd coats. ! . , ■-

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, THURSDAY, DECEMBER fl, 1884.



THE SNAKE ROOT REMEDY | fob RHEUMATISM and GOUT.-THt SiMieiruQA (Aotea Raocuosa) or Black SNAKE ROOT has bien lon« cilcbrated )? THE MOOT CERTAIN IN ITS ErrttTO, AND cvfii. 5». psn ■•ttli, at MCMH'S, " ri IVB WAY, NOW, to PLEASURE," \X Ckoral Hall, TO-NIGHT. WOALS! COALS! COALSI M. CABBY & CO. Hnrine taken over the Agpncy of the WAI jSATO COAL COMPANY, beg to Submit to tho Auckland Public the - , FOLLOWING PEICE LIST FOR BE&T HOUSE COAL : -13 sacks (1 ton) ~.'.'. .. ..22a «sacks (i-toii) .. .. .. lls fid . 3 saoks fl-ton) .. .. '**.. 6a 5j 2TK ABOVE PUICESINOLUDE DELIVERY. Steamboat Proprietors and Large Con sumors of Steam Coal as per arrangement. Orders may be left at ■Ths Sheds. Railway Station. Waikato Coal Co's Office, Fort-st, J. M. Syms, Grocer, Grey-street J. Hawkes, Avon-street, Parnell M. Niccol, Queen-street Wharf - TO BUILDERS. Owing' to my LONG EXPERIBNCE in the TIMBKR TRA.DE I am possessed of advan tage for SUPPLYING PURIRI, TOTARA, or KAURI, any Length or Slzfc, and will Guaran tc» the BEST MATERIAL on tho Shortest Possible Notice Orders taken for SHINGLES. HOUSE BLOCKS, FIRKWOOD, &c., orfor Removal of Goods. j Estimate* given for Works. ...



M. CASEY & Co., gAILW-A-Y STATION. AUCKLAND; ; [EStablishbd 1855.] iiy Bpkcus v^^^^^^^£ appotntment ■\irr H. SHAKESPEAR & CO., W • QUEKN-STREET, AUCKLAND. IMPORTSBS, MANUFACTURERS, COMMISSION .amd HiWKRAL Merchants. flows AMsarra tor the Celebrated , ''; '"ROYM^MAIL" I BICYCLES AND TRICYCLES; W. H. S. & Co.'hare much pleasure In sub mitting the following testimonial, gven to thetat for publication:—[Copt.]—'June 4, 1883. To Messrs W. H. Shakeskeab & Co., Auckland. < 1 sutlpm en,— I am glad to say that, on the 51-inch K'lyff Moil Bicycle I bought from you, I won the .A.C.C. Giranpionship, beating a Bridge, a f. '-inch Racmr, and a number of other machines; v.l i tho Avm;dal«Handicap, on the 2nd June: i'.'ivi Jean honartly say it is the best finished and nioest raaninK nuioMno I ever rode. Mr Flewel ly ,i, to whom I lant It to win the Mile Handicap | ■wirh, also speaks in the highest terms of it —I am, gentlemen, youw truly, (signad) W. M. Ki-arwa." — .**y also have in stock— Bbst Rbd Kubbbb Tykes, 5b per lb. BtAßTieoN's Doubsk Goko Bells, la 6d each KraG op the Road. Lamps ilatest patent), ' . Uaoaoh' '• ■ r Saddlhs. Bums, Balls. Bags, Springs And other Fittings equally aheap. . itftLß. COKE. CORK THE AUCKLAND GASfCOMPANY LTfl.) ■: .yito-Oiders for GAIT COKE. Delivered •■ ..-*»!& liujle of tha Works, for Caßh; longer : aacea at proportionate rates :— Sample'Saokg of throe b"tt9heis .. Is 6d ■ .Eireßacks .;■, ..•..", ~'. .. 6s 3d ■. v*:ioyen Sacks, or half ton .. .: 11s 6d Twenty-two Sacks, or one ton .. 22a 6d." ;V. ,V-?.e C<ssrrni>y s COKE is maae from tho best . :,?r,m;isi CoalB; U superior to that.mado, ; ' ''Vii-'"^ „ ™^ BJ Iree frmn-Btono tj , murauu.rWb'e degree, gives a '; ....U.»".LV. t'tllE, |Fsve"eLK4;»iyi.Bt HOTTER. THAN COAL. ■ L^.irranK.vTJiLT.iwa fc MAKKS NO BMOKK. " '-' * i ■ ''"''G^D^^WiS'MTNTJTKa] * H OFFICBj FOR,T-SWlKJfflcr -



GEORGE ROBERTSON AND Co.| (IJMITKD), PUBLISHERS, BOOKSELLERS, AND STATIONERS, Have much plcosuro in intimating that they have opened a WHOLESALE BRANCH Of their Business at COMMKRCE-STREET, AUCKLAND. EVERY REQUISITE USED BY THE TRADE SUPPLIED ON THE MOST FAVOUR ■ ABLE TERMS, INDENTS EXECUTED AT LOWEST RATBB. Head Office—Melbourne, And at London, Sydney, Adelaide, and Brisbane, NEW ZEALAND BRANCH COMMERCE - STREET, AUCKLAND. T^"OTICE OF INTENDED REMOVAL. Mr EWINQTON, Estate Aaerit, begs respeot fully to intimate that on the 20th instant he will Remove to moro convenient Offlceß on the ground floor in Coombes'a Arcado, Queen-stWot, opposite the foot of Wyndham-strcet, and nearly opposite tho place where he has carried on business for over 18 years. mO GROCERS AND OTHERS. SPECIALLY SELECTED NEW FRUITS (Direct from Smyrna). THE FIRST OF THE SEASON. FIGS AND SULTANAS ! FIGS AND SULTANAS I For Sale by E. AND A. ISAACS, Queen-street. "milE GOSPEL OS1 THE GRACE JL 0 F G 0 D." Sermons by the REV. THOS. SPURGEON, of Auckland, with a preface by REV. C. H. SPURGEON. with Illustrations of the Auckland Tabernacle, and of the Rev. TIIO9. Spurgcon. AUCKLAND SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION, V.M.C.A., Wbllesley and Albert-btrekts,



TAND J. MoMASTER havo opened • ex s.b. Coptic, from London, their last SUMMER SHIPMENT, and would intimate to their Friends and tho Public that thoir SHook Is now oomplete with NOVELTIES IN DRBSSES, COSTUMES, MANTLES, MIL LINERY, AND FANCY GOODS. speciaUy suited to tho Christmas and Holiday require ments. Inspection solicited by T. and J. MoMASTER, 252, Queen-street, opposite tho Market.



150 DOZEN 4--"R XJTTON "R LACK IT 11121*011 KID GLOVES, BALANCE OP A:" :" MANUFACTUREK'S'" STOCK "•"" Cleared by my London Buyer at a HEAVY DISCOUNT FOR CASH, And, although CHEAP AT DOUBLE THE PRICE Tha Entire Line will bo GIVEN AWAY AT IS. £D. PER PAIR. J-S. "D. JC ER -TAIR. All sizes from 5J to 8. HALF-A-DOZEN PAIRS OF THESE GLOVES FOR 93 ■ WILL MAKB A .NICE AND USKirCIi CHIUSTMAS PRESENT. wnilibOß." JJATTKAX.-• 'I' * ' 178, ISO. 182, Quee TO BE HAD AT DUNNE, HALL & Co.'s pHEAP riA. SHOAL E:— Children's Bummer Frocks at Is Grt and Is lid Infants' Braided Pique Dressea from la 9d Infants' BralSed Pique Pelises from 5s Sd Children's Washing Sun Hate reduced to Is6d Children's Washing Sub Bonnets reduced to " is lid Children's Pinafores, 10ld, Is3d, Is lid Fashionable Dress Materials at reduced prises Special value in Black Cashmeres * Special value In Black Broch.6 Silks Corsets and Underclothing at reduced prices | Ladies' and Children's Gloves and Hosiery; best makes, fashions, and shapes, at reduoed prices Shetland Wool, Wraps, greatly reduced Trimmed and Untrlmmed Hats and Bonnets at unusual reduction A Nice Assortment of Neck Frillings. feathers, Flowers, Ribbons, &c., at reduced prices.



A8 WE INTEND GIVING UP BUSINESS, ALtVTHE ABOVE LINES ARE MARKED DOWN AT CLEARING PRICES. DUNNE, HALL & CO. THE DIRECT SUPPLY STORE, Zl9-QUEENSTREET-219 Auckland. A GOOD MNNER SERVICE of 28 pieces, only lls. A FRESH STOCK of LARGE _ CUPS and SAUCERS, in different _ fff patterns, at 4s. m W MOHE CHEAP PLATES AND «M r DlSHES.—PheasaiiVPlates. 2s and T upwards; Pheasant Dishes, fid and .3 W upwards. Ej P3 Also, CHINA and GLASSWARE In PP O variety, cheap and good. H CO TOILET SETS (all qualities), g TRINKET SETS, LOOKUtG B fw GLASSES, &0..& C. g Cb FANCY GOODS OF EVERY DES- O C CRIPTJuN.—A Good Assortment, H 5 at Low Prices. ■ m JUST OPENED, Some Beautiful Sub 2 c-i jeots in PARIAN STATUARY 'V 3 also. RAISED FLOWERED 2 a CHINA BASKETS, JARS, t"1 3 FLOWER POTS, &c, &o. X? 3 CUTLERY VERY CHEAP. J§ M DINNER KNIVES, 4s 6d dozen: H £3 USEFUL TOOLS, KITCHErf C 3 UTENSILS, &c; EGG BEATERB, & 2 Is ; CANDLESTICKS, 9d ; t?2 H BRKAD TRAYS, 6d; KITS, 6dj • ■ POCKET KNIVES, 6d. n «i m U LAMPS. STOVE ORNAMENTS, Ui m BELLOWS. ■" GLASS SHADES AND STANDS, in all sizes. HANCHARD & CRANWELL, o" the direct supply store, "c* 249—Qceen-st., Auckland.—249



A conversazione in connection with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Churoh will take place at tho Choral Hall, Symonds-street, this even ing. commencing at 7.30 o'clock. From the pro gramme, which appears in our advertising columns, it will bo seen to bo specially attrac tive, The choir is a largo and oificient one, and wp have no doubt but that tho entertainment will prove to bo for all a very pleasant evening's enjoyment. St. Andrew's people do not often have this sort of things, but whonthoy do it is generally understood to be done properly. W( are requosted to remind the choir to ha in their places sharp at 7.30. George Robertson & Co. (Limited), the well-known firm of publishers, have opened a wholesale branch of their business in Auckland, for the bettor and speedier supply of their New Zealand customers' wants. Their warehouse is situated in Commerce-street, in tho handsome block of buildings recently oreotcd by Mr George Holdship. The branch is under tho management of Mr W. J. Moginie, who was for some years in the Company's Sydney House, Mr Thos. Wood is announced to give a lecture on " Beethoven." in St. Sepulchre's School-room, on Monday ovening next. The lecturor will treat of interesting epißodeß in tho life of tho groat composer, and selections from Beethoven's compositions, including solos part songs, and instrumental pieces will be given at intervals. The benefit concert to Herr Carl Sclnnitt to-morrow night is to be under tho patronage o£ Captain Pluddcmann and officers of H.I.G.M. gunboat Albatross, To-night, another popular organ recital will be given in St. Matthew's Church, Hobson strcet E Sawing Machines, wholesale and retall.-D. S. Chambors. The Auckland Hospital librarian acknow ledges, with many thanks, the rcoeipt of a largo parcel of Australian literature from Mrs C, A. Harris. Princosstroet, Auckland. Tire Tidy Housewife.—Tho careful, tidy housewife,, when giving her house its spring cleaning, should bear in mind that the dear in mates aro more precious than houses; their sys tems need cleansing by purifying tho blood, regulating tho stomach and bowels, and she should know that there nothing that will do it so suroly aa Hop Bitters, tho purest and best of all medicines, took for. We understand that there is to be a flower and fruit ser vice in the Alexandra-street Church next Sunday morning, when any worshipper having flowors or fruit behind them will have the pleasure of knowing that their gifts will be forwarded to the patients in tho Hospital. We commend this form of doing good to our readers, and hope it will bo heartily entered into. A special general meeting of the members of tho Auckland Club has been called for to morrow afternoon, at four o'clock, for the purpose of altering rules, &o.—[Advt.J The members of the Alexandra-street Primitive Methodist congregation have char tered the s b. Victoria for their annual excursion and picnic to Tamaki on Boxing Day, particu lars 01! which will appear in clue course. SKINNY MEN.-"Welll'«HealthK«)«i»er"rwtorwhcalU l wtl vigour, cures Dyai»epsia, Impotence, Debility. At Drurirtst* Keuiptliorae, Froaaer k Co., A«cut», Auckland. The compliments of the season may be gracefully conveyed, and will be appreciatingly accepted, if accompanied by some useful pre sent such as Is obtainable in immenfo variety at Goodson's London Arcade.—[Abvt.] The most Beautiful Ornamental Fire Screens over imported to this City are to be seen at Garlick& Cranwell's Furnishing Warehouse. A large assortment just opened up, varying in prica from Is 9d to 12s 6d. Ladies are invited to moke their selection early, as we cannot replace the choicest of them this season.—Garlics and CranweU, Queen-street—fAbvt. ■ ■.*'•



"ROUGH ON RATS. "-Clean oat rats mica rouhM HIM. uiu. bed-lwji, beetle*, lluectn, ikiuiku, Jsck-ntiMtj, goiilien! AtDruggUu. : Jt»mtUiom»,?RU»r*Ca,A»iali,Aucia«r4.



Mr Larnacli gave some fun to tho House of Representatives during the debate on tho North Island railway route. In his per oration he vehemently exclaimed :—" And, sir, you will also find along that line an abundance of Black Mary's, which cannot I but prove advantageous to young settlers in that newly-opened country." The House fairly roared until it had been explained that the lion, gentleman had alluded to the timber known a3 black mairi. Sporting men and others take notice- Adam Bede's Consultation on the Auckland Cap is filling rapidly; 600 members at 10s each. Drawn in tho presence of prossand subscribers. —[Advt.] A Scolding WoMAN.-The barbarities of the ducking-stool for the cure of scolding women, though abolished by law, are now oftentimes practised by a kind of social barbarity none the less reprehensible. Women scold only when thoy are ill. Instead of blaming them we should prescribe Hop Bitters. The enthgfcystem will undergo a genial, pleasant changcvyrrhß nerves will b quiotcd.an'! acerbity of wordTiniltaOught will give place to amiability andvaflfection. Healthy women do not scold or fret. Read,



DONT DIE IN THE HOUSE. J-Houjh mv' ;. Kmv|iic>ni« l Crnm*a«,A|mtoi;A«kbal.