SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Hii;h wa Tun /This Evening, B.3j> titUH WATER Vro- m onuw Morning. 8 51 SITNSKT.—Thia Evening, 6.10 W .'NIUSE.—To-morrow Morning, 0.3 U ,ON'S AQK-Last Quarter, 20th, 10.52 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

\Vuihora, s.s., Edie, from Russell iUacgregor, a.s., Johnson, from Whangarei JiUcy James, ketch, Millar, from Whangarei loiui, 8.5., Amodco, from Thames

DEPARTURES.

AVollington, s.s , Farquhar, for Tauransa Itowena, ».a., Norris, for Whangarei Albert tho Good, brig, he Maistre, for Mwigo- K>iemhilda,scboonor,Bathurst,forWhangaroa Vivid, baraue, Peter3on, for Mercury Bay Fairy Quoen, schooner, Sloano, for Noumea Quo™, schooner, Jones, for Hokian^a Waitoi-a, s.b., Edie, tor the South

EXPORTS.

Tor Waihora for Southern Ports—672 sacks • r.iwr 15 cases pas3Ovef cake, 250 cases salmon, i.'Vnsos datoa, 20 boxes soap, 2U saotas bran. 1j tininis r.alls, 6 horses, 23 sacks graes seed, la -.i-js mutches. 5 oases trycicles, 47 pkgs fiir t.itnro. For Mclbourne-160 bides, 2J bales wool, !i kegs salmon.

1.-; wards Coastwise.—Sumlerlanu, from Tryphena, with 35 tons firewood, 75 posts, 12 sacks onions; Waihora, from Russell, with ifl sacks gum; 5 barrels oil; Lucy James, from Whangnrei, with 46 tons coal; Four Sisters, from Omaha, with 1.000 palings, 2,800 staves, 500 posts; Moehou, from Omaha, With 7,0W feet timbw.

Ootwards Coastwisb.-Sunderland, for Walheko; Four Sisters, for Blind Bay; Moohau, foi1 Omaha.

Tho S.S. Wnitakl is to leave (under charter) for the Groat Barrier to-night, starting Kom tho Queen-street Whjirf after the flnfPh of tiw opora. She ia to return again on Sunday nigh^

Tho Margaret Casey, a new cutter of 18 tons vogistor, "which [arrived from th» Thames sooontly, was Built by Mr Stone of that place, for the coastal trade.

The barque, vivid, sailed for Mercury Bay this afternoon to load tiinhor for Melbourne.

Tho brigantlne Linda Weber cleared at the Customs to-day for Timam, whither ehe pro ceeds in ballast.

Tho s.s. lona arrived from lluasell, via Thames, at 3.1* p.m. to day. She hos been this week engaged in conveying cattle between these two ports. •

Tho three-masted sohoonor Rio proceeds fvom here to the Manukau, and from there to an Australian port. In consequence of the illness at Captain Roberts, mast9r of the vessel, Capt. John HcKenzie, late Deputy Harbour-master, will take charge temporarily.

The a.s. Maogregor arrived- from Whangarei last evening with 150 cases fruit, 100 kegs butter, 11 socks gum, 12 hhds. ale, 8,000 feet timber, 10 boxes eggs, 1 yacht, and the following passengers: — Messrs Dunbar, McLean, Mon tague, Cossor, White, Motcaife O'Connor. Mesdames Davies, Wennop, Logio, Miss Hill, and IS in the steerage.

The s.e. Waihora left for Southern ports at noon to-day, with the following passengers :±- For Gisborno: Misses Hitchins, Rees, and Air dorson, Mrs Swanson, Messrs Tyier, Bayne, McNab, Ackroyd, and W. L.Rees. Far Napier: Meadiimos Cooper, Knight, Stock ana family. Miss Codlin, Messrs T. S. Edwards, Rookfort, Fergusac", Cooper, and Morley. Fof Welling ton : Miss Holmes, Mrs Somerville. Mr and? Mrs Stov-ons. Messrs Pearson, D. Mamaon, Humph ries, ISrogan. Hewitt, Bull, MoArtncy, Davy. Krence, and Murray. For LytteKon: MVs and Miss Colbock, Messrsßoll, T, H. Hall, Dumergne, Grant, and Hulme, Captain Colel»rook, Mr and Mrs Bultar. For Dunedln: Miss Black, Mr Wells. For Melbourne: Sir James and Lady SrcCulloch, Misses Godfrey and Ingles, Mrs Goober. <

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Whanoarhi, this day.—Arrived: Rowcna, mini Auckland, 9.10 a.in. WAtTARA, thia aay. — Sailed': Argyle, for Oi'chunga, 11.5 a.m.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening S*iß Office. Uiia day. MB9BRB HUKTKB AXD NOLAN'S BOTORT. Horsos: The supply has beeSi up to the avarago. At thn Durham Yards, on FrtOay, ex ootit. for foreign horsos, blddinff was dull though tho majority of those entered for sale were sold ' at the haranior or privatdly. There was no alteration in lato quotations. On Monday w« hold a sal jat Mr Brown's atMangare; utoclfof all •descriptioua and fctrminK impleroento sold well. On TnoscUy, at tho Durham Yards, wo held our woukly hide, akin, and wool sale. We qnole hid us SJd to sld ; pelts and akins, 7d toSs4d ; woo),ijdto aid. At tho Junction Yitrdß, o» Ti'-esday. dairy stock woro in full supply, and Tiverythins?, o£ a kqpA olass sold froely. Store stooli woro In avernge 6upply, but tho beef jiijua woro well flllod. Prices varied nuringtho sain, but a draft of prlnio Hawera bullpcks were quitted at 238p0r1001b3. There w&snonoticonble a Iteration in duiry or storo prices. Sheep:'Tho yn rris well illled, and prices sho wed an ad vane c on ' lust week's prices. Lambs were In full num bers, and sold high. Piga ware short of require ments, and are still wanted at good prices. Cuttlo: At Pukokoho on Wednesday'ttvoro was •-. fall mtvotor of all desoriptionß of Stock, and •.not with purchasers at late vftluee. A largo draft of pigs from the Olieess Factory sold at .'.oodpricca. DAKICS >SB CO.'S HUPOKT. At I'nrawßl on Thursday about tho usual number of fat cottlo were yarded. Prlnresteers aadhoifers brought 2is per lOOlbs; coarse and * iTiforior animals, very low; sheop wore in fair supply—mixod sexes of various quality made ISs fill; lambd, 9s 9d to 10a 9d each.

AUCKLAND PRODUCE MARKET.

Faun and DAinv Produce, — Wholesale • 1 '"utter, fresh, ls;Bntter. salt; 8d tolOd; Cheese. B(<joa local, •Id to 9d ; Canterbury, do., 5d to Ed; i-.'argß. pec do*.. Is fid; Laid, per bladder, 7d; 3:aoor. r»nd Hums, Provlnclaj, (3d to 8d; Hams, 31 (« Ski; Canterbury Hart and Bacon. 9d, • in cloth; Haras only, lid; ,lam 3. per case, odoz., it\ 17s ftl to XI IKsJd; Honor in bulk, 4d per lb. Kotail: Butter, fresh la 3d; suit do., lOd to Is; Choesa, colonial, 3d t» lOd: Ek&s, per doz.. Is 9d; Lard, per lb, ?d to 9d; Bacon. Der lb. lOd to Is; 'Horns, do.. Is tola lit. Flouk Makicbt. — Wholesala — Superfine Hour, sD.I; dressed, por ton, £12 Ins; do, do, house hold, sft Ids; hundreds, os; fifties, 10 ponton e^tra, sacksaiidbagsfi'eo; Southern do. SI 15s toJß'l los; bran, per ton. sacks included, local,fri 10s; South ern, do, £3; sharps, £5 10s; cabin .bread, • do.;81<; oatmeal.do, £13; maize. 3s 6d to 3s 3d: oata. 2a 6d to 2s 9d ; potntoea. &i per ton.j pearl barley, do., £13 to -24 ; bread, per alb loal, 3Jd. Kauri Gum, Fxax, &c—The market con tinues firm. We quo«e:—Ordinary, £40; fair, to good ordinary, «42t0 &J4; superior, *I sto £49; Kast Coast, Unl to £05; produce for Maroh, 275 tons flax per ton, £18 to «21; tow, do.; £7 to £&; f'ingus per lb, 2Jd to 3d ;cocoanut fibre per c*t, 5.) to 17s; boeswax, 9d to lOd lb. Com iND FirewoodM.uiKET.—Cti;vl: New oaatle (ahip'a side), 28a to 80s per ton; yard, 32$ to 355; Bay of Islands, at yards, 2>;a 6a; screened, 30s Cd; ditto at the mine, 13a Ci; uhip's aide, 28s; Waikato, 8s to 12s; In Auckland, 18s to 225; Komo, 12s per ton at loading ground; Tauplri at mino, 8s Od to i2s; at yard, 18s 6d to 225: Whangarel, at mine, 9s Bit', yard (steam), 17s; household, 21s; delivered, 235. Firewood: Uncut at wharf (cargo), te to 103 per ton; delivered, 14s; cut, 17s to 18s. BorLDiNa Materials.—Timber: Boards and scantling; 100 ft, best, liey seoond-class, 8s; beat, planed, tongued, and grooved, first-class, IBs; medium, I2s; second ditto, 10s6d. Mills: ®argo.bcst,lls; second-class,6s 6d; baulk, 8s 6d. New Zealand palings, oft (sap), 10b ; sft (heart), 13»; Mt. 14a: tt-tree rails, S3 10s per l»i; jrarirl posts. 48 10a to £7 10s; shingles; 16s per 1.000; nobai-t salings, sft, 20s; 6ft, 225: Habart rails, SX)a, KL'llinn quotations. Bricks (at AvondaleL ' iOspor 1,000: townyards,soßtooss; deliTered.sss to 60s. > Drain pipes (at works), per 100 (S inches bore), 40s; 1 inches, 14s; 3 inches, 9s; 2 inches, £2 10a per 1,000.; socket glazed pipes, 19 Inches; 2s Gd per foot; 15 inches, 2a per root; 12 inches, 1s 6d per foot; 9 inches, Is per foot; 8 inches, 6d per foot: i inches, Id per foot. Manures.—Bonedunt, Sydney, £710s to £810s, according to quality; boneflour, £910s: Auck! - *:". JJf to £8 10s: Peruvian guano, £1^ S.:^ a Island, £S; Avon guann^—Tn^ Km-X m- £ m s>hotj innlnHprt- I£i>«crßinaU lots, CO to SB, \ $£ BJ£S?Z?r*£uifo chemical manure fill

Chief Post-Office, Auckland.

Mails will Close as uitokri— Tnia Da*. For Port Mtaroy, per Waitritf, at i p.m. For Whangawi Headß, Whanjcarei, Karao, Waipu, Porua, Tangihua, and Mangapai, per Macgregor, Bt ft p.m.. For Thames, per Enterprise, at 5v30 p.m. Saturday, loth inst. For Waitara, etc., per Hannah Mokau, at '8 a.m. For Walwera, Mahurangi.Matakafta, andMan gawai, eto., per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For New York, per AMel Abbot, at 10 a.m. For Coromaadel, per Coromandcl, at 11.36 a.m. For Hokiftnga, per Argyle, at 1 p.m. For Thames, pur Rotomahana, at 1 p.m. Monday, lv'th Inst, For Tauranga, Ohineinutu, arid Opotiki, per oUenel» at 5 p.m. For Russell, Kawakawa, Whangaroa, and Moa gonni, per Wellington at 5 p.m. For Whanjrarei Heads, Whangarei, Kamo, and Mangapai, per Wnitaki, at 5 p.m. Per City of Sy'dnoy, as follows— For India, China. Japan, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 10 a.m. Fot Qlsborno, Napier, Southern Porta, and United Kingdom (via Suez and Brindlai, or via Naples, for letters, etc., specially bo pro paid and addressed), at 11 a.m. Money Orders, for Southern Ports, at 10 a.m. For registered lottera and newspapers, at 10 a.m. Late letters till 11.20 a.m.

N.B.—Tho b.s. Walpara will leave Hoklttka for Okarito on 26th inst, and for Jackson'B Bay and intermediate ports on Bth ApriL 8. B. Bigs, Chief Postmaster. Chief Post-ofUco, Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

MARCH 11. 1884.

Abbott's Opera House—Royal Comto Opora Company, 7.45 p.m.

Mount RoskUl Sohool—Concert and Dance, 8 p.m. *

Wellcslor • street Sohool-room—Members of Educational Institution of N. 55., 7.30 p.m.

Notices to Correspondents.

A Ratepayer.—Tho residents in the street should petition the City Council through tholr representative. Maliono.—lf matters aro as you allego, the neighbours should' send a complaint to the Superintendent of Police. Tho.complafcit is too serious to be mode anonymously. Fortune-teller.—A young lady writes:— "Dear Mr Editor.—Could you kindly Inform me if thoro is mich a person in Auckland aa a fortnne-tellor?"—We hope not. A colonial population should be too lntolligentlo support such impostcs.

Births.

JONKS.-On kite 11th March, ntLondon-streot, I'oimonby, ths wifoof lly. Jones of a daughter.

Deaths.

ALLEN.—On March 13th, Robert Lawronce Allen (late of the Armed Constabulary); aged 3G yoars, Tho funeral will lcavo tho Hibernian Hotel, OnehunKa, for Auckland, to-morrow (Satur day), 15th inst., at 2 p.m. BRAITHWAITK.—On March 10th, at Giaborno, A. S. Uraitliwoito, Ksq., aged 83 years, leaving a largo number of relations and friends, bohig a oolonist of more thaa SO years.

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1883.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For tho wrong that seeds resistance, For tho f uturo in tho distance. And tho good that we can do.

Thh construction of tho Rotorua railway was entered upon by the majority of those who subscribed tho capital of the Company from purely patriotic motives. Ntf doubt a few of the stockholders were influenced by the great enhancement of value which the line would confer upon their landed estates, but these are the minority. The Chairman of directors and his principal coadjutors, like the smaller holders of shares, had in view only the great public responsibility which the possession of so unique a natural Wonderland laid upon the inhabitants of this part of New Zealand. The collateral ad vantage of 7 per cent, promised by the enter prise, through the submission of the land owners to the taxation clauses of the Rail way Construction Act, and the general increment of wealth to the city of Auck land, which must follow the opening up of the most marvellous hot springs district in the world, hadnodoubtsomethingto do y^u thewillingnessofthebusinesspeople'-i,'' v land-to whom a doubtful JjS?£& to m B n rvlitn a P th^ hard-earned sovereigns inta^' co ' n9ern , But fa the main wej* nk we are j ust ; fled in ga j ™*$ EG direct pecuniary benefit offeredhad attle or nothing to do with the successful floating of this Company. To persons ani matedby these public-spirited sentiments, the account given of their ste wardsh ip by the directors yesterday must bo intensely dis couraging. That a work of national im portance, and which would, if required in the South Island, have been laid as - a duty upon the whole colony, would/ meet with the steady obstruction of the Government, could not be foreseen by the projectors. That such opposition has been experienced, however, and that it is the chief cause of the delay and the altered financial arrangements of the directors, cannot be disputed, and therefore thegrum bling against the directorate, although natural enough, seema rather unreasonable. If anyone has suffered itis thedirectors, who, besides holding very large interests, have had all the trouble of financing the concern and keeping it going at all. The remarks made by Mr Aitken, howover, afford some guarantee to the smaller shareholders that the management is being very sharply, watched, and its laches will not escape criticism. It is exceedingly satisfactory to note that the Company have not been daunted by their difficulties, and that an impression of the earnestness of the people in relation to this work has at length been made upon the Government. We hope these more promising auguries of ultimate success will reconcileshareholdersto the further calls made upon their patriotism and their pockets. Year by year the stream of travellers Increases in volume, and it only needs improved facilities to makethe Rotorua region the central attraction in Australasia for wealthy people in search of pleasure and health. Beyond the direct gain from tiiis traffic, there are many indirect benefits. To the casual visits of strangers we owe some of our best colonists. Auckland city can not, fail to strike any man possessing a moderate competency one of tho finest places in the world in which to enjoy, in a quiet way, the comforts of life and rear a family with a fair chance of finding suitable openings for them. The prosperity of the city even now is largely due to the considerable number of persons of that class who have alroady fixed their homes here. We believe that the fame of the Rotorua district will yet draw many more, and that no work has greater claims upon all persons who are interested in the progress qf Auck land.

The Savings of the People.

The Auckland Sayings Bank affords an instance of what can be done by the people themselves without Government patronage or aid. It holds a larger' sum on deposit than all the Post-office Savings Banks in the Provincial District^ and .jays a larger interest on the amounts entrusted to its care. From the statement of ac counts published in our advertising columns yesterday,'we gather that there are 7,647 depositors with a sum of £264,516 to

their credit. And the Bank has good assets to the value of £297,302 to cover the claims against it. Every year the Bank earns considerably more from the in vestment ef its deposits than the five per cent, interest to which it is wisely lira ited by its charter; the surplus was increased in this way last yearto the extent of nearly f-5,000. The Government pay half per cent, in terest leps, and show no surplus. The working of these two kindred institutions might be taken as an example of private over Government control in all cases wherefbusiness capacity and honesty are pitted against red-tape. We do not wish to depreciate those excellent and' valuable institutions — the Post OfVice Savings Banks—which have done an extra ordinary amount of good to the working population ; thoy give an assurance Of solidity so necessary to perfect confidence in tho custodians of small savings, and thereby induce thrift where improvidence reigned beforo. We merely point to the fact that there is usually an economic loss to the people by Govern ment management.

The British Campaign in the Soudan.

To-bAY we have news of another victory for the British arms in the Soudan. There is more of solid satisfaction than of gratified glory to be derived from the tidings; for thei.l3 is little credit in defeating an undis ciplined horde of wandering Arabs, armed for the most part with shovel-headed laneos. Major-General Oraham, after laying his plans with great deliberation-, has made an attack upon the position held by Osman Digna, and has thoroughly routed the rebel army, aftev an/engagement lasting only for half-an-hour. The telegrams con veying the fteWs of the battle—or more correctly stampede—are singularly moagro. It would appearthat tho rebels offerednoreal resistance, forthey arc said to havebeen com pletely routed, while the Britishlosswas only two killed. The importance of this victory lies in the fact that Osman Digna, who is said to be a renegade Frenchman, was the right-hand man of tho Mahdi and the adviser of the various successful strategic movements previously executed by the rebels, including the ambuscade and massacre of Hicks Pasha's army. The break-up of Osman Digna's force is a crushing blow to tho rebelliou, since the effect will be to completely dis courage all subordinate risings led by dis affected or ambitious chiefs. It now only remains to disposo of tho False Prophet himself, who With his force has not been heard of for some tilno. This period of in action betokens tho predominance of wavering counsels, and probably also of waning energy; and when British soldiers rind themselves face to face with the conquering legions of El Mahdi, as they probably soon will, thoy will doubtless achieve as signal a victory as that now re corded. Though tho Arab fanatics ate superior fighting men to tho dogonorato Egyptians, it is clearly demonstrated that they can make no stand beforo tho disoiplino and weapons of a European army; and if tho difficulties of sanitation and commissariat are successfully grappled with, British pluck, steadiness, generalship, and armaments will make very short work of the Soudan rcbols.

i Tho Star Saturday Suitlbmknt will ' this week contain:—Further portion of (lie . serial tale, "A Woman's Faith ;" Two Son | Storios and three short tales, viz., " Lady 1 Blancho's Secret," "Tho Folly of Rovongc," and "A Talo of tho Passions;" Random : Shots, by "Zamioli" "Murderers by Pro fession —A Torriblo Story of Chime;" "Lovo and Love-making;' "An Awful ', Bxporionco—Facing Death on tho Snlt Marshes ;" Our London Flaneur —Social, Theatrical, and Literary Gossip: "Tho Queen's Now Book—a Kecord of Domestic I Life;" "Tricks in Tunnels;" "Tho Duration of Man's Lifo;" Tho Garden, ' Sporting Notes, Field Sports and Aquatics, fee., &c. . Our weekly market price-list, which np '. pears elsowhoro, contains many important altorationi from previous quotations. Both i butter and eggs havo advanced in valno. The formor is worth Is wholesale, and Is 3d retail por lb. while cgg3 aro selling at Is (id I wholesalo, and Is 9d rot-ail por dozen. Flour has doclincd somewhat. Superfine, silk dressed) wo quote at £12 193 per ton, timk household at £11 10s por ton. Oatmeal if worth £13 per ton, and oats from 2s (id t^ ' 2s 9d por bushol, Tho gum markoj con tinaos hrm. East Coast produco especially is in great demand, and all lots available- aro bought up at the high rato of i'lii to £(iG per ton. Tho receipts for March to date amount to about 275 tons. His Honor Mr Justice Gillies sat in Chambers this morning, whon a largo num ber of formal applications woro disposed of. Probate was granted in re Horatio Arthur Hawkes, Wm. Henry Fleming, and George i Toscan (deceased), and letters of lid ministration wore orderod to be issued in re Alice Leech, Gregor McGregor, Elba ■ Jane Cargo, and Jauet Thomson (deceased), whilo a similar motion in re Sabina Carson (deceased) was deferred for the filing of 1 fresh affidavits. In re Georgo Webb (deceased), tho security was reduced to £200, and in re Anno Hanson (deceased) it was agreed to accept ono surety. Orders were made to register copies of will in ro Thos. Morris McLaughlin (doccased) and Chas. Baker (deceased) respectively, npJ" the new plan for tho subdivision^'J^ i lands of Alex. L. Meld' h(a I'natic) was < approved. Counsel m.l)^ for tho re . , mission of fees in re Joj}p^ eft | icy (deceased), ' but no order was^J^ Themu^cfpaiauthoritica, in conscqiionco °f -^difficulty of finding tho firc-Dlugs at ' cAe late fire in Franklin Road, havo in- - structed the Fire Inspector to cause the position af all ball-hydrants to be plainly ' marked. Mr E,- K. Tyler, who has been in ill-health ' for some tiae back, left for Gisborne by the Waihora to-day. Wo were glad to see that : Mr Tyler looks considerably improved. : "Nobody reads advertisements" is a common cry with peoplo of old-fashioned ideas who are determined not to understand '. tho signs of the times. Such people might ; be struck by the following plain facts con- ; earning,.twp small "AYanted" advertise- i ments inserted1 indiscriminately in our columns the other day- Two young men : advertised their desire to jointly rent a bed- '. room, and have-found no fewer than 41 •' .heads of "respectoble families" willing to afford the desired accommodation. In another case, a "Father" advertised for a home, for two young chil dren, ' and in response' 43 peoplo have written^'offering to undertake the respon sibility,- and stating terms and full particu lars. While'this proves that newspaper ad vertLsenj'pnts'.jre carefully perused, it also offers the oonsoling reflection th.it lodgings in tho city aro not hard to obtain, and that a " comfortable home " for motherless chil dren can be found wftout having recourse to the wholesale " baby-farming " people, with their cruel tender mercies. Professor Cailliau leaves Auckland for Sydney some time this month. The fare well complimentary concert to him will take place on Friday week next. The Orchestral Society and most of Auckland's leading i vocalists will assist. The three-year-old boy who was mentioned in the Stab as missing yesterday travelled on the morning train to Drury, where he was recognised by Mr Elliott and Mr Mac donald, the latter of whom brq-aght him back to Auckland by the afterri&en train, none the worse for His adventure. He was treated very kindly by the Drury station master, who gave him plenty to eat, and saw that he strayed no further. At the meeting of the City Council last night, Mr Irwin's tender of £4,247 for forma tion works in Karangahape Road and Hope toun-street and the formation of two new streets in Section 53 was accepted. At the sitting of the R,M, Court yester day, Mr Tole pressed for an adjournment of a case in which he was engaged till Monday next, but being reminded that that day was the 17th, he hastily withdrew his applica tion, saying he would get into great dis repute if it was known tfiat he wanted to do any work on St. Patrick's Day. It was stated at the City Council meeting ; last evening that the deposit to accompany ■ each tender for the erection of the Public Library and School of Art will be £1,000. The following tenders wereopened to-day by Mr 11. Mackay Fripp, architect, for the j erection of a dwelling-house in Graf ton , Road for Mr J. A. Beale:—Matheson and . Pollard, £464; Dawson, £450; Smith and ! Wooler, £445; Hatcher, £420 ; Henderson, Kirk & Co., £415; J. Morris & Co., £415 ; J. Lynch, £390 ; Geyde and Calva, £373 ; . A Craig, £364 ;H. Jones, accepted, £357. . The Newton Mutual Improvement < Society celebrated, tho opening of their '. third session last evening with a well- ! arranged social. There was a good attend- ■ ance and plenty of fun."

Mr C. 3. A. Haselden, Under-Secretary in the Department of Justioo, is at present in Auckland on a visit of inspection to the KM, Courts of the district. Yesterday he returned from Russell, and next week he visits the Waikato. Mr Haselden has already completed his inspection of the Southern Courts, and after "doing" thia part of the co'ony ho will return to Wel» iingtou.

A dayligi-.t pni'ario cf the following Cora panies will take place at the Drill-shed to morrow afternoon at four o'clock;—A Battery, Naval Artillery, Victoria, Hobson, and City Guards. A full attendance is re qu'este'dv

A large semi-decayed tree on a vacant allotment in Liverpool-street is a eoiirco of considerable anxiety to the residents in that vicinity, Largo branches occasionally,fall, and feat's are entertained that it Will fall bodily some clayy causing death and destruction* 'i'liS Mount Eden District Board, which body was applied, to by the City Council for payment of the expenses of the. Fire Brigade fit the late fire at Mount Eden, have declined to acknowledge the claim. The Auckland Bowing Association Re gatta, which haa to be postponed from last Saturday owing to unfavourable weather, is announced to take place to-morrow, when it is oxpected tho elements will provo more favourable. At 1.30 p.m. the fino steamer Wellington, which has been kindly lent by the Northern Company as flagship, will leave the Queen-street Wharf. At 2 p.m. the first race will start. Tho course will bo fixed cither on the north or south side of tho harbour, according as the wind makes dither side preferable owing to smooth wator. The Wellington will follow each of tho races, and thus those who patronise her will bo allorded a capital view of the competitions. Yesterday's message about the intention to close all Dunedin hotels except four proves to be erroneous. The intention is simply to close them at 10 p.m.,not to close them altogether. At Parawai to-morrow a cricket match will take place between an Auckland toain and the Thames C.C. Tho Auckland inon learo by tho steamer Enterprise at 12 to night, The names are as follows :—Lank ham (2), MacCormiek, McKinney, Blinn, McPhersou, Thwaites, Sadlor, Hamlin and Grey.

Tho Assessmont Court for the Borough of Onohußga wag held, on Wednesday, before Mr R. C. Barstow. There were several appeals against the assessments of tho valuer, Mr J. (I. Hutchinson, and in two or tliroo cases those were sustained ; but no point of public interest was raised. A concert was given by St. Andrew's Church ohoiv last evening in aid. of tho school funds. Thoro was a good at tendance, and an interesting programme was gono through. Songs were givon by : Mrs Culpan, Mrs Koir, Mossrs Simpson, George, and Menzios. Mr White plnyod a , violin solo, Miss Chapman gavo two pianoforto selections, and sovcral good chorusos woro rcudorud by tho choir, under the leadership of Mr Culpan. The Artillery Band, undor the conductor ship of Mr Hunter, will play to-morrow afternoon in tho Western Park, undor tho patronage of tho Mayor, at thrco o'clock, wcathor permitting. Tho following is tho programmo of soloctions :—Slow march " Roception " (E. Leconte); " Patience " (Sullivan); valso, "Emerald;" solection, " Lcs Cloches do Cornovillo " (Planquotto); selection "Sonnambula" (Bellini); valse, " Tho Silver Rhino," tirst time, (Mecislor); grand fantasia, "Kmira" (Escudio); galop, "Enrly Morning" (Sidnoy Linton); (!od Save tiio Queen, To tho Editor:—Sir,—ln your is.suo of yesterday, tho 13th March, an error occurs .stating thnt I deposed I was a clerk in the employ of Mr Quick, stablo-keeper. I never mado that assertion, nor did Imontion Mr Quick's iiamo at all,as it is Homo considerable timo sinco I left his employ.—l am, &0., William Tavi.ou Davies, > Another boxing contest botween Murphy nod llognn, for the light-weight champion ship of Auckland, will tako place at tho Theatre Koyal on Saturday ovoning noxt. It will be remembered that Murphy claimed tho light-weight championship after beating O'Biien ar.d Burns. At tho contest n fort night ago llogan, however, beat Murphy through a foul in the fourth round, and tho coming fight is for tho purpose of definitely settling the light-weight championship. The stakes avo i'2o, all of which lmvo been deposited. It. Donovan will act as roferco. Tho following amateurs will also "set to " : J. O'Maroh, R. Black, W. O'Marah, T. . Pearson, 11. Campbell, S. Martin, H. Cantles, 11. Gardner, R. Smith, and W. Riloy. To tho Editor : Sir, —Will you allow mo to state that tho remarks in your issue of Tuesday last with rcfcrcnco to Cr. Thomp son losing (vacating) his soat in Council are not correct, to tho effect "That tho Town Clerk did not send Cr. Thompson «ny intima tion, &c., &c." Tho Town Clerk did write to Mr Thompson a fortnight sinco calling his attention to his absonce without leave, and afterwards mentioned tho matter (late, it is true) to tho Mayor and ono or two of the Councillors, who, howevor, thought under tho circumstances, ono meeting s absenco being accounted for, that an immediate notico for loavo since voted would be in sufficient timo, and it was owing to tho communication from tho Town Clork that Cn Thompson expressed himgft'f on tho subject, and therefor'1 tho etato mont " that it was no^a'ntil tho fatal lapso was completo thitho forfeiting clauso oc curredtp,>J-x"hompßon himself" is equally jjfl£??ect7 It is a matter of regret that the tibject was inadvertently overlooked by tho Councillors and Cr. Thompson himself; doubtless, however, by tho timo ho is sufficiently woll to attend the meetings ho will have been re-elected.—Yours, Ac., I. A. Philips. Tho " Church Gazette" for this month is a numbor well worth perusal. In addition .to ft largo quantity of matter useful and in teresting to churchmen generally, there is, as usual, a portion of tho periodical well worthy the attention of tho thinking portion of the public at largo. We refer to a very lucid nrticlo on " Religious Retrospect and Prospect" (by the Rev. Robert B. Kidd, LL.D., a logician of more than colonial re puto), Mr Herbert Spencor's latest essay, which, from tho noTel mode of its publica tion, has obtained a notoriety that would probably otherwise not have been accorded to it. To summarise the article is hardly possible, inasmuch as it is presented to the reader in a highly condensed and logical form. Wo must therefore, in the brief space at our dis posal, content ourselves with giving the conclusion arrivod at by the writer, leaving those interested to follow out the Styx by which it is reached in the article itself :— "Mr Sponcer," tho writer concludes, " finds no difficulty in caricaturing certain as- Eects of somo theological tenots, and in olriing up to odium tho oxaggorated and mutilated results ; but he does not at tempt to O3timato the teachings of the sacred Scriptures as reverently and rationally ex pounded." An obituary notice which follows the article in question will be eagerly read and preserved by many a reader in this colony; for it is a re cord of the mental life of one sorely missed and deeply beloved, the lamented Lady Martin. Tho picture of the closing hours of her life is most touchingly drawn, and will find a resting-place in the hearts of many sorrowing friends. With tho usual excellent' extracts from writings— some of an ephemeral, others of a more lasting character—a capital number of a periodical which should have a wide circu lation closes. To the Editor : Sir,—ln last night's Star appears a letter from Mr Martin, informing the public through your columns that Mrs ckillon has been left destitute by her hus band leaving her, and that the rations she was receiving from the Government through the Relieving Officer had been stopped for four weeks, from some unknown cause. The first statement, I regret to say, is too true; the second is not, , as it is not four weeks since the 29th of February, and she had the rations to that date. But why has not Mr Martin favoured the public with tho cause of Thos. Skillon's absenco ? Thero mußt of necessity be a cause, and if Mr Martin wishes the public to contribute towards tho keep of Mrs Skillon and family, and the Relieving Officer to continue the rations, why not give the cause of Skillon's absence, so that the public may judge as to whether the case is such as deserves the public sympathy ? and surely Mr Martin has fully made himself acquainted with the iffl^^before he accuses the Relieving OfficerviS&^bpping the rations from some unknown'cause. Thos. Skillon is represented by several of his"iato em ployers as being a steady, sober, indus trious, reliable, peaceful workman, and any of them would only bo too glad to obtain his : services again. The last he worked for, and to whom he had to give notice of his leaving, states that when Skillon did so the strong man wept ns a child, because he had to leave for a second time what ought to have been a comfortable home for himself and children. Mr Martin, what is the causo of Thomas Skillon's absence from his home and dearly loved children, and Mrs Skillon's destitu tion ?—I am, &.c, Abtuur' Graham.

At the annual meeting of the Waio rongomai G.M.Co., to-day, it was decided to make penny call and to sell ,8000 re served shares, proceeds to be invested in Bhares in the now battery.

Onehunga Licensing Committee held their quarterly meeting on Wednesday, when Messrs Bycroft, Dunwopdiß, Jackson, and Robb wero present. Mr Dunwdodie presiding in the absence of the Chairman. Tho only business was an application for Hie transfer of the Commercial Hotel from Mrs Wells to Mr Miller, and the Inspector having furnished a written report in terms of the Act, the application was granted.

The election of road trustees for the newty-constituted Road District of Birken head is creating some excitement amongst the ratepayty'S, V/hd have ndmlhated thirteen of Ihelr.number for the office. The separa tion of this pdrtion of the districtfromNorth cote Was recently dbtainbd on account of the opposition offered by the latter toapro poral^p borrow a large sum on. the security of the rates in order to improve the "ap proaches" to Birkenii'ead Wharf. It is pro posed to obtain a loan of £3,000 for this purpose on the security of a special rate levied over the diminished area of the new district, which includes the Sugar Com pany's works. As the incidence of such a special rate would fall heavily on this Com pany, as well as on many other ratepayers who will derive little or no benefit from the purposed expenditure, it is likely to meet with strenuous opposition.

The settlers of Mangapai had a plpae^nt excursion to Whangarel Heads on Tuesday last. This was the annual treat provided by the Northern Steamship Company, and the B.s. Macgregor, in charge of Captain Johnson, conveyed the party to and fro. Although the weather was rather unfavour able, about 130 persons embarked early in the morning. They landed at Mr Aubrey's at the Heads, and there were enabled to pass a very pleasant day, f ports of a varied character being provided. The party re turned home about 6 p.m., well satisfied with the trip. In recognition of tho kind ness and attention displayed by Captain Johnson in his efforts to please all, the ex cursionists prcsonted him with three hand eomo chairs, whilo a subscription of £1 11s (id was raised and handed over to tho ftrew of the steamer.

Yesterday a sudden doath took place at Ternahan's Hibernian Hotel, Onohunga, and formed the subject of a coronial inquiry to-day. A man named Robert Lawrence Allen, who was living at the hotel named, suddenly dropped down in the yard, and though attended to at onco, life was found to bo extinot. Deceased was in tho primo of life and was of sober habits, and tho supposed causa of deatii was hoart diseaso. He was formerly a member of tho Armed Constabulary, but had for Bomo time been living on his moans. Tho funeral is to take place to-morrow (Satur day), from Ternahan's Hotel. Dr. Scott has given a certificate to the offocfc that deceased died of hearts disease, io that tho coroner does not consider it necessary to hold an inquett.

It was a most unfortunate thing, that Ilia Worship tho Mayor and City Councillors, did not advise us of their intention to visit tba Watroa district, ns we should have Invited them to visit our Central Station, when thoy would havo boon ablo to Inspect, and to report upon our now model Plmrorlea. In fact wo should have given thorn letters of introduction) to Major Muggins out principal swineherd, and ho would have shown them, all Uio various pro ociincß that a Hog has to bo put through, before ho 1b lit to appear at tablo In civilized society. Or docra worthy to be called Bacon. They would also have seen, that thero In no cause to fear a short supply for many yoarg to como, is Houk nro plentiful, though a high class Bacon duos not uppoar in ovory family. However it is no übo orylnp over epitt in Ilk, thoy havo missed a run) opportunity, and at tho wuno timo a groat troat, and the only way in which thoy can remedy such an oversight, is to como in a body To-morrow, and invito the gonnral public to como with them, to our plaso the Itight Comer Stall, City Market, and wo will try our boot to givo them a practical explanation of some of the piwesS'Jß that good JJaoon goes through. I'loaso como early, as wo aro mire to bo very busy, having juat recetvod a mew shipment of tho very beat Canterbury Hams, ltucon, and Cheese, which wo shall sell 20 per cent, less than Qt ~u-Btroot prices.—Auckland Provision Company, liiaht Corner Stall, City Market—A. Hcttany. Manager.—[Advt.]

Thoy brought forth mutton and beef in a lordly dish; and whan tho King had eaten thereof he smacked his royal Ups with unction mill oxclnlmediuiiccontßof command, "Kapai!' It was Tawblao, th« illustrious descendant of King Potato the First, who was eolobrated dur ing his roign as ono of tlis best Judges of fresh meat in New Zealand, especiallT when it happenod to bo a young and succulent pickaninny or a tender virgin. Tiwhiao, though he docs not lnhorlt tho fleshly lusts of his illustrious ancoetor, 1b a connoisseur of butcher's meat, and on this auspicious occasion he inquired of one of his gold-sticks-in-waiting, "Nnhea tffnrt kail" (whencocamo this moat!) Smacking his lips and making a low obeisanco, tho courtier humbly replied—"May It please your Majesty, this unrivalled beof and mutton came from tho establishment of Robert Farrell, (ho omincnt shipping and family butcher, whoso shop is next door to the British Hotel, 175, Qucen-stroot." Tho King sent his royul commands to Mr Farrol), knighted him on the spot with the Order of Hlknrangi, Ist class, and gave htm his patronage. This fact will aocount for tho extraordinary business done by Sir Hobert Farrell sltioo ho opened his new pre mises. Buy I buy !-~{Ai>vt.]

A meeting of tho members of the Educa tional Institution ot New Zealand will bo held this evening in Wclleeloy-Btrcet School, when tho Chulrnmn will give a resume of the pro cccdlngs of tho late Conference Mr Edwin Hart will read a paper on " Geography."

ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT.

Tli<v'9i)mJor'B Loto Soorotnry Arrl.;eßted.

(TiV TELEORAI'H.—PBBSS ASSOCIATION.)

Wklmnoton, this day. D. M. Maunsell, lato Secretary to tho Premier, has boen arrested for the ombozzle mont of £267 of Government money.

BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTION.

At tho mooting of tho Board today tho returns of elections from the school com mittee districts for throe members of tho Edu cation Board woro as follows:— Cooper, 105 j Hobos. 100; Moat, 8-5; Buckland, 70; Laurie. SI; and Porter, 11. Tho Chairman deolaro.4 tho first throe gentlemen duly elected.

SCINTILLATIONS.

The Governor arrives in Auckland to morrow.

Last night of th« Opera subscription season.

Auckland is now enjoying an " Indian Summer."

Regatta of Auckland Rowing Association takes place to-morrow. Sir Wm. Fox U unable to visit Dunedin at present. A mail of 900. letters brought by the s.s. lonic at Wellington. Java and neighbouring islands are do clared infected places. 91 births and 35 deaths in Auckland during February. Somo of tho salmon ova brought por lonic aro in good condition. Pillow, a Christchurch commission agent, has " vamoosed,"

In Bavaria, a church to hold 1,000 peoplo has boon built of paper. Rev. Dr. Begg, the leading Scottish Dis eenter lately deceased, is sard to havo made £80,000 by stock gambling. Infant mortality in New Zealand towns is very high. Last month, of 174 deaths, 74 wero children under one year, while deaths under five years were over 53 per cent, of the whole.

The Resident Magistrate at Christchurch has upheld the right of an apiarist to trespass on other people's land in order to recover swarms of bees belonging to him. Messrs Herbei'fe^dward Dymook, Wan ganui; John IngraYn, Oxford; A. Mont gomery, Wanganui; George Sinclair Robertson, Wanganui; and William Traill, Stewart Island, are gazetted Justices of the Peace.

Allan Campbell, a settlor at Macrae's, Otago, was killed yesterday by being run over by a dray. His wife and ono of his twelve children witnoßscd the' shocking event.

Bay of Islands nativoß invite the Governor to be present at a great gathering in Wai tangiHall on tho 25th inst. The Governor proposes to go North on Wednesday, but may postpone his visit. There are about 3,000 wild Bheep at largo in Marlborough district, and tenders aro called for their destruction. Taking tho last five years, our imports from Great Britain have only exceeded the exports by about 6 per cent. Who says the Stage and Church are 'antagonistic? The Waitemata Minstrels are to give a banjo and bones entertain ment for the benefit of St. Thomas's Church, Auckland. %' • ijr

The London omnibjiaej travel in the year upwards of fifteen million miles, and carry more than fifty millions of passengers. Rev. Dr. Kay, of Edinburgh, who recently caused a sensation by his defence of the theatre, has resigned his pastorate. The Czar's splendid yacht, the Liyadia, has proved an unsuccessful experiment in naval architecture, and is now a coal-hulk at Sebastopol. Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association has .337 members and 130 life members. Last year's income was £3,060, and there is now a credit balance oi £23 15s.

CABLEGRAMS.

[BY CABLE.-COPYRIGHT.J

[REtTKR'3 TStEGfcAJIS.]

iho Tories and tha Franchise.

London, March 13.—1 n the course of an address at Chelsea last night, tho Marquis of Salisbury said, in reference to tho Con servative programme, that the Opposition were determined to secure an appeal to the country before the Government's reformed Franchise Bill could be passed.

[SPI&IAL TU P3ESS ASSOCIATION.]

London, March' 13.—Tho Suez Canal Company has formally approved of the Con; ventiori made by Baron De Lesseps, but the meeting was rather of a tumultuous char:

act'er; The portrait of Lord Melbourne, presented to the colony of Victoria, has been sub mitted for the Queen's inspection before being packed. The King of Norway haa determined to maintain the privileges of the Crown, despite the recent Parliamentary impeach ments.

AUSTRALIAN.

tßcdei'vcd March 13th—2.40 p.m.) Tho Colonial Wool Trade.

Meluodkne, this day.—Goldsbrough's annual wool review hna been issued. It states that this season's clip has boon ex cellent. Sales in the colonies have amounted to 348,000 balos, or 40 per cent. of the total production. The «alos increases have been as follows: —Victoria, 34,000 bales; Sydney, 35,000 bales; Adelaide, 4,000 bales. There has been an activo de mand for the Continent, whither 6,400 bales have been exported. 22,000 bales have been sent to America, an increase of 14,000. The total exports for the year show an in crease of 8?, 500 bales, as compared with tho previous year. Adelaide, March 13. —A cricket match commenced here to-day between tho Aus tralian Eleven and a South Australian team.

TRIAL FOR MURDER.

O'Donoughuo Sentenced to Death.

[BY TELEOKAWt. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Hokitika, Thursday. The case of murder against O'Donoughue was proceeded with to-day. After the evi dence had boon heard, the Crown Prose cutor Bpoke for two hours, and was followed by Mr Guinness in a spocch lasting one hour. Tho Judgo summed up at length, reviewing tho evidence. Tho jury retired at half-past five, and came into Court at half-post sis, with a verdict of "Guilty." The prisonor.in answer to tho usual ques tion, said :—" My Lord, lam innocent of tho crime. Oh God, witness tho murder about to take place, for I know I am to be sontenced to death. I shall meet the jury men who found me guilty above, and thon they will bo able to say if I was guilty. I am a Roman Catholic, and if all (he priests and bishops como to consolo me, I will tell them lam innocent. I shall go to my God, who alone knows I did not com mit the murder. I have been 15 years in Now Zoaland, and dofy any man to say I nerved him a dirty trick. If over I had any words with anothor man I stripped and had it out, and generally got a thrashing. I again say lam innocent. I suppose I have only a short time to livo. I would not com mit tho crime, nor stand by and see another commit it. I will say that tho jury who have found me guilty, and thti officials who helped them, will not bo long after me. I liaveno more toaay, except to ask that what I have said may bo remombered when I am lying rotting in my grave. I am innocent of the crime. Now, my Lord, you may pro ceed with your sentence." His. Honor then assumed the black cap, andpassod sentence of death in the usual form.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

A man named William I'ooley, while en gaged in assisting to discharge the ship Brenhilda this morning, met with a rather serious accident. Thrco bars of railway iron were beine hoisted from the vessel's hold, and whon over tho wharf the sling (an iron chain) carried away, and the iron fell out. Ono of tho bars struck Poolcy on the head and arm, and his injuries proved of so serious a character that Captain Ncnr ing at onco procured a cab and had tho man conveyed to the Hospital. Medical examination showed that Pooloy's left arm was broken, and that ho had sus tained a deep cut on tho head just above tho temple. His injuries woro duly attended to.

PORT ALBERT AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

1 The annual Agricultural, Horticultural, and \jSottle Show was hold on Tuesday last: The we;r^her, although bad, was an improve ment on loVdt year's. Tho attendance was large j the surrounding districts and Auck land being well rSpßresented. In number and character tho cxliWjjits compared most favourably with those of aifj*' previous show, while those in the cattlo department showed a marked improvement on anything pre viously dono here. Specia v l mention should be mado in the dairy"*, produce department, for tho quantity nnd\junifonn quality of exhibits; the wheat and potatoes alsodeserve special mention. S pocial exhibits were mado by Mr 11. Cameron (of Helensvillo) of saddles and bridles, which for workmanship and state woro highly com mended j also a bridle from Mr Wiseman received liko commendation. A case of honey consisting of 30 tins (21bs. each) was exhibited by Mr John Becroft, jun., and received .nigh commendation for its superiority of quality and general got-up. In the afternoon, a short meeting was held on the Show ground (Mr Charles Judd B residing), when the judtres—Messrs [awkingß, Sainsbury, Carter, Cut forth and Mevit—offered their con gratulations on the marked improvo mont of tho Show, and, speaking on tho respective merits of the cattle exhibits, gavo some valuable hints and practical advice with regard to the improvement of breed and suitability of the cattlo for tho district. Several questions were asked by the settlers and answered by the judges, when the meeting terminated.

The tea and evoning meeting was largely attended, and, under the presidency of Mr W. Gittos, passed off very successfully. Tho hall being densely packed demon strated tho fact of tho necessity of a much larger and more ■ con venient hall being orected for occa sions of the kind. The prize-list having been read by the Secretary, the meeting was addressed by Messrs Coupland, Mooro, Morgan, Sainsbury, and Dibble, interspersed with selections of music. Mr James Coup land, in concluding his speech, "and by way of introducing next year's Show," stated that he would give, "as a prize," half-a-ton of bonedust lor the best sample of wheat out of a bulk of 50 bushels grown in the district. Thanks having been given all round, the meeting closed by singing the Nntional Anthem.

THE OPERA.

The evergreen popularity of " Los Cloches de Comeville " was attested last night by the crowding of the Opera House in every part. It is no reflection upon tho other members of this clever and well-appointed company to say that Mr Kelly's Gaspard gives a character and predominance to this production which would distinguish it from all the othor performances of tho Opera in Auckland. This gentleman has, during tho ourrent season, appeared in rfiles involving the widest contrast, and his versatility and perfectsuccess in sinking his own personality in each impersonation stamps him as an actor of no ordinary merit.' Mr Fordo, who is also introduced to tho audience for tho first timo during the season, approves himself an excellent comedian, whose humour always keeps well above the level of mere buffoonery. The charming soloa, choruses, and music of the opera were admirably rendered. It is only just to mention here, in terms of the highest commendation, the orchestra, which, under the conductorship of Mr W. Harrison, has contributed in so high a degree to the suc cess of the entire season. To-night will terminate the period covered by the original subscription, ani all tickets must bo used. To-morrow, a supplementary season of four nights will be opened with Gilbert and Sullivan's operatic satire, " Patience."

ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM.

Narrow Escape of the Eden Terraco Public Hall.

Considerable excitement was occasioned at Eden Terrace last night by the discovery of an attempt to set fire to the Public Hall of that dis trict. About n. 30 a son of Mr Henderson, draper, sawa man jump over the fence surrounding the yard attached the hall and at the same time, saw (lames and smoke is. suing from under tho hall. 'I he laa. gave the alarm, and Mr Henderson rushed out of his house and succeeded "» rfI*'^ out a large bae of burning paper that Jiou evidently been placed under the building with malicious intent. Tho fire had not had si'lliciimt time to communicate with the woodwoi.c, bat. had tho names got a hold on the Hall, a very extensive conflagration would lia\o resulted aa the hal is in tho centre of a clobely built block of buildings. Constable Dowes arrived on the scene shortly after the discovery, and took possession of the bag. Vt 0 understand that the detectives have the matter In hand;

HOW TO CUR E COMMERCIAL DEPRESSION.

[DV TISLISQBAI'H —PRKSS ASSOCIATION.]

Duneuin', Thursday. Mb John Bathgate, M.H.H., tiMxeawd a meeting cif his constituents to-night on "Suggestions in referenco to tho present Distress." He urged complete financial separation from the North Island, the abo lition of centralised Government, the ap pointment of Resident Ministers in several parts of tho colony, the abolition of party Government, the election ef Ministers by a district, and the appointment of a Premier by each Parliament; also the issue of a Government paper currency, tho formation of class banks, such as Co/.ens's bank, farmers' banks, and reform and retrench ment in tho Civil Service. Those were tho principal suggestions. Tho Hon. Mr Reynolds expressed dissent from some of the speaker's viows, but proposed a vote of coniidence in him us M.H.K., which was carried.

SPORTING NEWS.

Tiikhk seems to bo an impression abroad that the Henderson's Mill Turf Club Meet ing takes place to-morrow, but such is not the case. The meeting was originally fixed for the 15th, but owing to the Takapuna Club altering the date of their gathering, the Henderson's Mill Club took lip their old date, 17th March. We may mention that a train for the convoyance of town visitors leaves the railway station on Monday at 11.30 a.m.

Nominations for the Takapuna and Helensvillc race meetings close to-night,

At the Oaniaru races yesterday, the Autumn Handicap of lOOsovs., 2 miles, was won by Mr J. Stephenson's Hazard, Trum peter being second, and Holderness third. The time recorded was 2mins. 45isees. Hazard also won the Stewards' Plate, beat ing Trumpeter, Molly Bawn, and three others.

THE ROTORUA RAILWAY COMPANY.

At the meeting of tha shareholders in the above Company, held yesterday, and which was partially reported in the Star last night, tho re port ot the engineers, Messrs Stewart and Hunter, stated that the plans of Section 2aro completo enough to enable actual quantities to be calculated, and an exact knowledge of curves and irradicnts arrived at. These are within the Government lines for grades, and in curves the minimum radius is 10 chains. Three milcsof the route are of an oxeccdingly rugged character. The estimates were framed in two stages. The ilret included formation, permanent way, &c, estimated at £Uli,oUo, and secondly, supple mentary works, complement of rollingstock.&r.., costing £CO,OOO, making a total of £200,000. The Oxford contract is not ill Buch a forward state as we could wish, but ihe Liohfiold contract is in a forward Btate of progress. Contracts for plate laying and station and buildings remain to be let. On the advico of Mr Carruthers, double boifie carriages li.ive been adopted, a-s deter mined upon by the Public Works Department,

In moving tho adoption of the directors' annual report and balance-sheet, the Chairman characterised the conduct of the Government as fatal obstruction detrimental alike to theinterost of Auckland and tho colony at large, and re ferring to the disposition of tho Company to hold communication with tho natives, apoko of the suicidal inactivity of the Government. He said that if this obstruction had not taken place tho Rotorua railway would have been an ac complished fact within a definod time, and the validity of tho Rotorua leases would never have been questioned. Since the interview with tho Ministers tho Government had confirmed the assurances then made by letter. It was relief that they could at lnst soe a prospoct of finality to their Ion;; difficulties with the Government. He added that an important work takon up entirely in Ihu interests of th is part of tho colony would not bo abandoned until it had roached a satisfactory issue. The conclusion of an ex cellent syiGcoh was grcetc* with applause. Mr Thomas Peacock, M.H.R., in seconding the motion, also referred tothu obstruction of tlio Government. He said it was satisfactory that thoy had not only now a prospect at getting tho second section of tho railway completed under tho Huiln-ays Construction Act, but that they would also get tho endowment of land In lieu of the rating cowers which could not be exercised in tho natfvo dis tricts. Besides that, there was reason to bo liovo that their financial operations in London would be a success, and that they would thus avoid calling up nny more capital. Tho ndoptian of the report was agreed to, and tho business of t!»o general meeting closed.

Extraordinary Meeting.

After the close of Iho ordinary meeting, an extraordinary meeting was hold for the purpose o( passing the following resolution:—"That the oxi&ting Articles of A s.sociation bo rescinded, and that tl'.o Articles ot Association forwarded by post to each member of the company, mid which arc now before this meeting, Bigncd by the Chairman of tho Company, and sealed with tho Company's seal, be substituted therofor." j In explaining the alterations sought to he mado, tho Chaihman said one of these increased the ruto of intoreston overduo calls from eight to twelve per cent. _-« „■■ Mr Aitkkx pointed out. .VaCH.'iien UioCom pap^.WS'ivifinfift.'rcpTo'B'cntntiotis wero made to citizens with tho view of inducing thorn to take interests In tho ooncorn that only a certain amount of capital would bo called up. Tho speaker proceeded to Btato that there whs a, groat deal of dissatisfaction with the manage ment of tho Company, and he was one who par ticipated in it. He asserted that tho Chairman had only boon temporarily appointed to tho directorate, and after referring to tho promises mnde, said that if tho Company was to do away with tho responsibilities for interest ut> to tho present time, many ot tho shareholders would retain their Interests and continue to pay thoir calls regularly. In reply, the Chairman said ho had nothing to do with the preparation of tho prospectus. Ho added that if thoro had been no diffi culty in tho acquirement of tho land, tho shareholders would have been eager to hold thoir interests, but a cloud having arisen, they drow back. Mr Pmrxirps pointed out that tho question really was whother those who paid their calls woro to have their money used for tho con struction ot tho railway, whilo others who held large interests wore not to pay calls at all. Mr ArrivKM retorted that he spoke in tho interests of people who could not ait'ord to pay the nionoy or the interest. Tho Chairman said tho question was whother ono shareholder should pay for another. Mr Stewaiit, in explanation, said that Mr Aitkon had subscribed his two thousand shares without any promises in regard to calling up of capital, and oxpressed his willingnoss to pay his money at. once. Mr Aitken suid ho could not 6peak for him self, but for othors.

Mr Peacock producod the original prospectus, on which Mr Aitkeu's name appeared as a pro visional director.

Mr Aitken : That was under false represen tations.

Mr Pkacook : And wo are all in the same box. (Laughter.) Mr Clakk road a clause in the prospoetus as follows:—" It is not intended to call up more than 103 per share, and it is anticipated that 03 per share will suffice as paid-up capital." If those anticipations had not boon fulfilled, the' directors could not bo said to be breaking faith if they called up the wholo amount. Mr Aitken in his cool moments would not speak of false re presentations. When tho Company was formed tho directors thought that the only dimeuliy that vroulrt ariso would be in troating with tho nativos, whoroas tho difficulty was that the Go vernment had opposed tho thing from tho first, and thoy appeared to think that that railway com pany wasamcre company of "landsharks;" whilo professing sympathy with tho movement, they put the Company olf, and forced thorn to llnanco the first soction of the line boforo they could make tho socond. Shareholders for a certain time were guaranteed 7 per cent.; and many a venture they were going into now did not return 7pcrcont. If this lino oponed a large tract of country, and scourod 7 per cent, to the share holders, ho thought that result alone was worth having striven for. The directors, to whom was ontrustcd the work of carrying on the nndcrtaking, woro no more responsible for tho result than the rest of tho shareholders. (Hear, heat1.) He did not sco if-the thing wa3 to do over again, how it could have been conducted much hot tor; but it was possiblo, if tho thing had to bo commenced again, and with a knowledge of tno troubles thoy iiud encountered, perhaps none of them would touch it at all.

Mr Graves Aickin pointed out that the ob struction of the Government had been most persistent and unpatriotic, and if it had not been for tho tone of the Chairman's spoech, he would havo proposed a vote of censure on the Govern ment.

Mr Ho wabd thought a public mooting should be called so that every man, woman, and child in the community might express disapproba tion with the obstructive policy pursued by tho Government.

Mr Upton said many of tho shareholders would not object to pay calls provided thoy understood that tho directors woro not also in arrears. Ho bolioved the directors had acted for the best throughout, their only fault being that they were not firm enough with the Go vernment in tho first instance.

The motion was then put and adopted, The meeting then terminated.

THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

[BY CABLE—COPYRIGHT.]

(Reuters Telegrams.)

Just Before tho Battle. - §|f Cairo, March 12. >| Tklegkams from Souakim report that H General Graham has taken up a position a 11 mile distant from that occupied by Osman Digna, and will commence tho attack at daybreak.

The Governor of Khartoum. General Gordon reiterates his appoint' "'^l nient of ZGbehr as Governor of KhartoumJ H OOMPIiBTB KOUT OF OSMAN XHg^ 1 Only Two British Soldiers Killed. ''<% (Received March 14—noon.) London, March 13 (morning). Telegrams are to hand from Cairo announcing that intelligence has reached there that the battle between British ■'8 troops, and the rebels under Osman Digna II commenced at daybreak to-day, xho '§1 engagement was a very brief one, the' I~M enemy being speedily routed; Ko further particulars had1, up to the tithe of the HI despatch of intelligence reached Souaiam 'iff

[special to press association.]1 4fii

(Received March 14—11.30 a.m.) London, March 13." ' v| General Graham's victory over Osman 1 Digna is complete. The engagement lasted half-an-hour, and, as far as is known there wore only two killed on the British" I side.

ANOTHER CASE OF LEVANTING.

A "Trusted Young Man" does the Si "Pacific Slope." During the past few days rumours have been H Hying about the city anent a caßu of levanting, =-- which in some o( Ha phases displays a greater '-M amount of moral turpitude than even the noto-'*S| rious Harjcs case ; and adherents of an influen- ■ ?l tial city congregation have been much exercised because the levanter bore the reputation of being one of the moat exemplary young men >8* connected with their church. Wo havo been at considerable trouble to ascertain jffi the circumslancos, but owing to the fact that 1"- t the person robbed is at present away from tie ■ 5 colony, and that his friends are loth to give any" >'■$» iufonuation pending tho receipt of intelligence '"' from him, wf> aro only in a position to give (ha • barest outline. Within the course of the jast -;" year or two a German gentleman named Proob- *«' '" sting commenced business in Fort-street as a !M commission agent, and he waß soon doing alarm businosß -with local merchants on behalf of his principals—influential German firms. Near Mr >'1 Proebsting's office a young man named Hnx- Ll.!*Sl table hung up his sign. This person was tie ;Sfl agent for a portrait company, and as ho was a regular churchgoer, and made a large outetrii profession of religion, he was regarded by thosek 'i with whom he came in contact as a model young * *' man. Mr Proebsting formed an acquaintance I with his promising young neighbour, and in timo M5|S the acquaintance ripened Into the warmest ' '4 friendship. So much confidence did Proebfiting placo in Huxtable's integrity, that when, in August last, he was compelled to proceed"SJS to Germany on business, ho left Hustable in ;«§tl charge of his business. Before his departure "iSB Proebsting gave Huxtable a power of attorney ■'■■> 51 to collect severallarge bills as they became due. Well, as wo have already stated, in August & last Mr Proebßting left for his native land no doubt secretly rejoicing in having such ;; an estimable person to attend to his buei- :&' ness in his absence. And now for the sequel. ,'ii\t Shortly after the departure of the last Tiiaco B mail steamer some of Proebsting's friends ay- i certained that the commission agent's Utcuin tenens had unaccountably disappeared. TheySSil caused inquiries to be made, the result 3||f of which was they ascertained that tha J'.fjf interesting young man had been .a passenger,:« to America. It is known that he colli at least £500 on bills due to Proebsting, but we '■''3kb have been informed that there aro reasons for ;'s| believing tliat the defalcations will be found toSs exceed £1,000, Mr Proebsting expected tolll r.turn to the colony about May next, butfiif whether he has yet left Germany on hi 3 return journey or not there iB no means of ascertalninraiiJl On Friday last a friend sent a cable to hfeSl German address mentioning Huxtablo's depar-fS| ture, but asino reply has Deen received ftiajil probable that tho swindled man is now on htaSsa way to the colony. We understand that Hux tablo took a through ticket to Liverpool. 'J

MINING NEWS.

[BIT TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ||| Thames, this day. ' C~& Cambria.—Five pounds of excellent pickedl^ stone were secured yesterday morning in '•* the winze below the 150 ft. level. This^?l find is particularly important, realising the. anticipations excited by the promising >| nature of tho indications met with during |j the last few weeks. This discovery occurs ;M most opportunely, the shareholders having \a| become weary and disappointed at the con-.. *j tinuance of tantalising indications. The-;S stone waß obtained from a Bmall outlying?!! leader on the footwull of the main reefila The latter has boen stripped for about 88§| feet, and will be broken down this evening. jiS Dart.—A change for the better has S> supervened in tho drive on tho Alfred leaderi!» at No. 2 level, the sandstone inclosing thalffi reef being of a more kindly character.and ;' intersected with promising mineral veins. ', A corresponding improvement maif occur i^S the leader. It is probable the sinkinglitujg* ithe main shaft will shortly be resumed, a" •''] course which prospects left under No. 31evol certainly warrant. ;. *?\j|H| -,- Briuht Smile,—The winze on the foot- l wall reef is 22 feet in depth, and the leader ■ maintainsgold-bearingproperties,produciiig ; several good stones when last broken. Caledonian-.—The eastward drive on tho Red Queen leader at No. 2 level has been'-j^ coir.mencedjandtheleadingstopewilhLortly % bo carried along the back of the drive. Tho manager should then bo able tojkcep ton Btai^efWßßJaaJiMnSnßabaaqirifment. "TRcTcrußhing is yielding payably, but re- "i torting is not likely to take place until the ;^ end of the month. /j< Deep Level Cross.—The workings aro ''J again freo from gas and water, and opora- -', tions have been resumed at the 640 ft. level. A trucking of stuff has been relegated io ? the contractors at 5d per track, The Alfred Loader was broken on this morning in the >|J drive at No. 2 level. The quartz was opened ; out to the thickness of 16 inches and-£ blotches of the precieus metal found pretty /* regularly distributed through.it. The big pump is stopped owing to ■ a breakage of the Bpear of the air pump. Operations should be resumod this evening; >;j§|; ;

[FROM THE " COROMANDEL MAIL."] :! Royal Oak.—The contractors for putting- _- in the level to intersect the Tokatea tribute leader, which dips into the Oak ground, have driven 225 feet, so that, according to . the survey, a few more feet should cut the reef, although at such a depth it is M^-'/ l i possible for a mining surveyor to be very cortain as to its whereabouts, a slight alteration of dip making many feet of -' difference. The country being driven through is very hard, but has indications :;■;, of closo proximity to the reef. There are . two parties working sections of the ground >',_' on tho tribute, but they have nothing ;,\ payable at present. .V. Tokatea.—Tho workmen are getting a little stone from the stopes, and there is , every probability that it is •payable. The '' S main drive has been discontinued for the ' ..;.; present, the contractors refusing to go on ;* at the present price. Tributers Knox and ;,j McNeill are getting good payable stuff from their present workings, and which seems likely to continue for some time. . ' ;;| Quken of the North.—The work her6v?j has boon suspended for the present, the lato , heavy rain having swamped them out. -\ Bismarck.—The tributers have a con-|a sidcrablo quantity of stuff on hand ready jm for the mill, and will crush next week* 'J;M Success.—Tho reef is still looking re- . markably well in the stopes. A little gold • shows in tho stone, but not yet in sufficient quantity. j.'H Matawai,—A large quantity of good . * payable quartz lias been sent to the battery) ' f and is now going through, and the show on the plates is excellent. None of tho picked --♦ stono has yet been put through, so that^ there is almost a certainty of a large yield, 'fs The adjoining claim was fold to Sir Harp on Thursday, and will now be worked vigorously by the now owners. There can not be a doubt the Matawai reef strikes: right through this ground, and is won worth following up. .Union Beach.—Some very good pros- '' pects have been obtained from the Venus . ( Reef at tho eighty feet level. The reef - looks remarkably well, and good specimens- „ may be got any minute. The drive on the black reef is still in good country, but nothing of any importance has been ob-J > :\ tamed. A short drive has been put in on gjgj the lead lately cut, but the appearance is r j not encouraging. _ Corbv.—Work is still going ahead in thw mine without any great change.



) Special Advertlsementa. '. ■ .4t O V E L T IB Q Pi- 0' V E L T I B O. EX S.S. DORIC. MILNE AND CHQYCE Havo just Opened SovoraliC'asea of Novelties, including— VEFwY HANDSOME SASH RIBBONS FANCY LAOE BOWS fANCY LACE TIES OPEBA WRAP^.'" . . '' , MOB CAPS . . IJ]iaBTRONS,l J]iaBTRONS, lor street and evening wear KERCHIEFS, New and Fancy Designs fiAOES, inolnaing Cdiomred Beaded Laces and the Now Flouncing Lace OOLD BRAIDS VELVETEENS, the new Twill Back. I.MIL NE ' * CHOYC E, 1 • QUKHN'-STRFiBT. ■ jrORT-aTBBUT, AUCKLAND. X> U T C; H E R A N D C Oi, '. *Sr'E-V ED ORES, ' RECEIVING AND FORWARDING "' ', : AGENTS, ■ , ARE PRKPARED TO TAKB LVRGH OR SMALL CONTRACTS. : LAEGK OR SMACL CONTRACTS. .... ENGINES FOR HIRE. ' - . v.vvh ovuesu'vou tuuPUCNX, S .



Special Advertisements. DR. P H Iv L S 0 N, Late District Surgeon, Attends from 10 a.m. to 1 o'clook p.m., '""',. /f AND j ..■ J*" -08. J. H. HONBYMAN From II a.m. to 1 o'olook i>rfn., at Aickin's, THE PHARMACY Queen-street. 13 N D E R S WANTED For the Wholo of the Stock o£ JMDiBFS AND BOYS' CLOTHING AND MERCERY NKW ZEALAND TWEED COMPANY. It is quite New, not being more than ten months old. Thu Men's and Boya' Clothing has, been Manufactured At theKaiapoi factory,and OUR OWN HAKE. Tenders will close on MONDAY, 10th inst. A P 0 L 0 G Y. SAMUEL COOMBES & CO. Desire to most Sincerely Thank their Patrons and the Public generally for tho PROMPT AND LIBERAL PATRONAGE during the First Two Days of their SALVAGE S A L E> but at tho same time S, C. & Co. desire to APOLOGISE for the Incomplete manner in which the Goods have teen BROUGHT FORWARD. This was unavoidable, r.r> the Stock was only PURGttASED ON THE SATURDAY, and we were compelled to bring tho WORST of thb STOCK FORWARD FIRST, in fact, all the Goods MUCH SATURATED BY WATER. ' Those having now been principally disposed of, we shall, On SATURDAY AND MONDAY, Bring Forward aa much a3 wo can possibly PREPARK FOR OUR CUSTOMERS. Of\ PER CENT. DISCOUNT. W/ft ATTRAY Desires to inform his Customers and the Public thai, owing to the Inorcase in his GENTLE MEN'S afitltCEßY BUSINESS, and conse quent want of Boom for tho proper display of tho LARGE SHIPMENTS OF NOVELTIES TO ARRIVE for that Department, he has determined to ■~ CLEAR GUT THE WHOLE OF. HIS LARGE AND VARIED STOCK OF READY-MADE CLOTHING AND WOOLEENS. To effect this result as speedily as possible, he has decided to OFFER THE ENTIRE STOCK OF THESE GOODS AT A HEAVtf DISCOUNT TO CASH PURCHASERS. It is well-known that all Articles offered for srle at NEW ZEALAND HOUSE are marked in Plain Figures, the excellence of which plan is admitted by its numerous patronß. TO ALL CASH PURCHASERS OF READY-MADE CLOTHING AND WOOLLENS There will be allowed from those marked prices (wbioh compare very favourably with Btmllar goods shown eltfewhero) the ENORMOUS DISCOUNT of TWENTY PER CENT., or FOUR SHILLINGS IN THE POUND. SALE NOW On. C GENTLEMEN'S BLACK CLOTH MORNING COATS GENTLEMEN'S BLACK WORSTED MORNING COATS . GENTLEMEN'S TWEED SINGLE- Cii BREASTED SAOB = £2 GENTLEMEN'S TWEED PAGKT S SUITS O GENTLEMEN'S TWEED SINGLE BREASTED SAC SUITS O GENTLEMEN'S TWEED TROUSERS . J AND VESTS Z 1 GENTLEMEN'S TWEED TROUSERS yZ GENTLEMEN'S MACINTOSH COAT/ P GENTLEMEN'S TWEED SXJfb'J Q COATS - . AX' fT YOUTHS' WORSTED-q Ivr , T „ P-i _ BREASjIED B&mK-* SINGLE rvi TWEJED SINGLCE □ Lx- AKEASTBH) SAO SUITS = j TWEED TROUSERS AND H I YOUTHS'MACINTOSH CO*3B ■ A. YOUTHS' TWEED OVERCOATS j Q f BOYS' WORSTBD SAC SUITS " BOYS'. TWEED SAC SUITS m BOYS' WORSTED SAC COATS Yd BOYS' TWEED TROUSERS AND C 5 VESTS hr. BOYS' TWEED TROUSERS Q BOYS' MACINTOSH COATS ■n BOYB' WITNBY AND TWEED M OVERCOATS lJ SMALL BOYS' WORSTED SUITS p SMALL BOYS' FANCY TWEED m < SUITS i-h small boys' man-o'-war suits 02 small boys' jersey suits. black broadcloth and doe £3 blue Venetian and diagonal Lj bluU and black worsteb yZ, COATINGS O WEST OF ENGLAND AND SCOTCH fxi ■ TWEEDS MOSCHBL AND ROSLYN TWEEDS SILK AND WOOL VESJINGS WHITE MARCBLLA VISTINGS . (^ &c, &«., &c. REMEMBER! 1. The Goods are all marked in plain figures, and aw good value at tlio marked prices. 2*-Tho Stock is New, Seasonable, and Well assorted. 3. The Nams of the House is a sufficient guarantee that First-claBS Goods only will be offered. 4. For every Pound's worth purchased 20 per cent, (four shillings in the pound) will be re turned to ready-money purchasers. 6. As such advantages are obtainable only once perhaps in a lifetime, it is desirable to note the address and make an early inspection. "William Rat tray, CLOTHD3R AND GENERAL DRAPER, NEW ZEALAND HOUSE, 178, 180, AND 182, QCEEN-STREET, AtTCKLAHD {Four doors below the New Savings Bank), |STbw Jjaw Partnership. IBS UNDERSIGNED beg. to announce that thoy hare Commenced Praotioe in Co-partner ship as BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS. In Chambers In HiGH-BXBBKT opposite Mr W, Atkln's Printing Office. ■' B.W. BURTON, W. J. NAPIER, Anokland, Septembor 22nd, 188%



Special Advertisements* I NSURANCE COMPANIES' ASSOCIA TION. Insurance Offices will be closed on MONDAY, 17th inst, St. Patrick's Day. H. VVORSP, Secretary. Iff E ARE OPENING UP OUR NEW SHIPMENTS NEW SHIPMENTS OF dress Material, LADIES' TRIMMED HATS, BLACK AND COLOURED VELVETEENS, &c, &c. X /"IOSGRAVE & C\O.



Tlio Union Company's Waihora left at noon today for Hobart and Melbourne via Southern ports. Among her passengers were Sir Jas. McCulloch and party, return ing to Melbourne from a tour of this colony.



Contracts taken for all kinds of concrete- if work, largo or small, and estimates and other Ml information giving to thoeo wishing to do tneir n own work.—John Wilson and Co., 75, QMH&HH street—[Advt.l Bicycles, unequalled for finish, price and ,% quality, at Shakespoar & Cos. (opposite th«,;i|ffl Market), Quoon-HtreuU-lADvr.]