SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HinK WATWR iTma Evening, 1.0 BUNSKT.-Thia Kvcning, 7.18 BUNKISE.—To-morrow Morning, i.:<C< MOON'S AGK.-New Moon, asiu, 1.10 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Howena, s.s., Norris, from Mercvy Bay Christina, sch, Kvansen, from Mongonui Ruby, ach. Lamb. Irom Russell Saucy Kate, soh, Lewis, from ilnsscll Wild Duck, ketch, McDonald, from Jlongonni Penguin, 5.9., Cromarty, from Fiji Waitaki, 8.5., Crawford, from VVliaiißnrei Naiad, brig, Walters, from Newcastle

DEPARTURES.

Three Choers, sch. Robinson, for Guam Julia Pryce, sch, Ohmones, for Russell Agnes Martin, ketch. Leslie. forUussell Kriomhllda, sell, Bathurst, for Wlmugaroa Waiapu.sch, Nicholas, for Gtsnornc Roekl»«mpton, barque, for Mercury Bay

IMPORTS.

PorPongiiin—l,lll bunches boinnai, 12') cases pines, 52 bags cocoamiH 102 b:igs puonuts. Por|Nalad—"Cl tons coal, 10 tons coke, 739 hags boneuust, I.CCI) felloes.

Inwards Coast wise.—Christina, from Mon- Kpnui, with 62,311 fe<)t timber; Progress, from Wbangapou, -with 29,000 let. Him her; Ruhy, from Thames, with ballast; Saucy ICato. Irom Russell, with GO tons coal; Totarn, from Waipii, with22.ooo feet timber; Sovoreign of tho Keas, from Whangarci, with 41 tons coal; Wl'.d Duck, from Mongonui, with 31.000 feet timber. " OUTWARD 3 Coastwise. — Progress, for Whangapoua; Whangarei, for Wlmngard; Totara, for Whangapoa; Wild Duck, for Mongonui; Sovereign of the Seas, for Whanga rei. A brig Inside Tiritirl was signalled late this afternoon. Tho brig Syren entered outwards at the Customs to-day for Sydnoy via Kalparn. Tho 5.3. Taiaroa will arrive from Oiabornc about 5 o'clock this evening. The barque Rockhampton sailed for Mercury Bay on Saturday evening. She loads timber there for an Australian port. The s.B. Hauroto, having left Wellington yes terday, may bo expected to arrive here about noon to-morrow. Tho s.s. Rowona arrived from Mercury Bay at 8 p.m. on Saturday, with thu following pas sengers: Messrs French, Brown, Hanson, Everfl, Loram and child. Suiter, Mr and Mrs Brown. The schosnor Saucy Lass, with which Phillips <her captain) levanted at tho Islands recently, has been captured by H.M. ship Diamond at Sandwich Islands and taken on to Noumea. Phillips escaped into the bush. The brig Naiad loft Newcastle on December 20; had fine southorly weather for three days, and thence to port variable westerly winds, arriving here at midnight of Saturday. The mall steamer City of Sydney and the Union Company's Rotonmhnna are expected to put In on appearance here to-night o" to-morrow morning, both having left Sydney on Thursday afternoon. The steamer Jo has boon chartered by Cap taina Lillewall and Tyo, who intend running her as a cargo boat between Auckland and North Shore. Sho will mako two trips daily ; leaving North Shore at 9 a.m. and l p.m., and Auckland at 11 am. and 3 p.m. Provlous to Dec. 22 the brisantine Magollan Cloud arrived at Suva from Aleroury Bay with timber and bricks for Messrs Wilson and Mnrchie: and tho Bannockburn, schooner, from Talrua, timbor laden, for Messrs McGregor and Milne. The s.s. Waitaki arrived from Whangaroi oarly on Sunday morning with the following passengers:—Mosdamos Davis, Secconibe, Mc- Donald, Jenkins, Dobbin. Shores, Love and child, Belsham, Misses Wilson, Fornian, llai man, Boult, Messrs Barry. Archibald, Har rison, J. B. Reid, Scott, R. Sissous, Archibald, John Archibald, Bolsham, Kustnn. North, Secoombo, Jog. Hofl'y, C. A. Stubbs. Sandford, H. Whitlaw, W. Whitlow, l'urdy, Purdy, Love, Simpson, A. Pearson, Marcroft, Storey, Jones, Sinclair, Crispe, Doonin. Tain ,md friend, Mr and Mrs Connell, Mr Johnstones and party, Rev, and Mra Coates, and C in the steerage.

ARRIVAL OF THE PENGUIN.

Tho b.s. Penguin arrived from Levuka and Suva at 8 a.m. on Sunday. She loft Lovuka at 8.5 a.m. on Ist January, cleared the reef at 5.-0 a.m., and arrived at Suva at 10.30 a.m.; sailed again at 1 p.m., and breasted Island of Mhoni^a Bx6p.nn.; passed Mount Washington, Kanilavu, at 10 p.m. same night; passed Tiritiri light at fi.3oa.rn. on theGth.and arrived alongside wharf at 8 a.m. Experienced fresh S.E. trades till morning of 3rd met.; liprbt southerly winds to morning: of 4th, thenco t resh 5.3.W. winds and heavy bwoll till noon of oth inst.; carried light S.W. winds and smooth soa till abreast of I'oor Knights. At 11 p.m., a heavy N.W. squall was encountered, accompanied by blinding rain, during which St. Elmo's fire was visible on yardarms and mastheads. Thence line wenther till arrival. Passenßers:—Saloon: For Sydney —Captain and Mrs Mnngjhan. l-'or Melbourne —Captain Barrach. For Lytlelton—Mrs Ulack lock. Masters Blaeklock (2). For Din ff—Captain MclCinask. For Auckland — Mrs and Miss lioduwcham, Mrs Saundcrs and 3 children, Mrs and Miss McKissnck, Miss J. Hayly. Mr London, Mr Humburg, Hoi. J. K. Mason, Master M. Lewis, and 23 steerauo. Wo are indebted to ■Mr Jno. Waldio, purser, for press parcels, otc, and above roport.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

/ ARRIVALS.

Lalla Rookh, b.b.. Bailey, from Waitara Argyle, 5.9., McArthur. from Waitara Hawora. s.b., Hanaby, from tho Soufh I'ukapuna, s.s., Jones, from the South

DEPARTURE.

Arfrylo, s.s-. McArthur, forSßaglan and Kawhia The Northern Co.'s s.s. ArprnHSi for Kawhia Via Raglan at 1 o'clock today, with 40 mats sugar, 12 cases biscuits, 2 qr-easks, a bags salt. 6 cheats tea, 6 colonial ovens, 12 cases spirits, 5 cases salmon, 20 sacks flour, S caaea (,-alvanised Iron, 120 bags flour, and 8S pkgs sundries.

The Union Co.'s express steamer Takapuna crossod the Manukau bar at 1.10 to-day, and ar rived alongsido tho wharf at 3 p.m.

The s.s. Hawea arrived from tho South at 6.20 a.m. on Sunday. Passengers!—Jlesdamcs Cutfleld. Tibby, Campbell. Harris and Lawson, Misses Patterson. Harris, and Lawson, Messrs Nowton King. Bottle, Skoet, Smith, Cutfleld, Hardy, Rawson, Broad, Lorio, Swcetapple, Pike, Ronshaw, Campbell, Speed, Holmes, Garland, Chaffoy, Lawson. Gould, Tolhurst, Rhodes, Stringer, and 15 in tho steerage.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Wellington, Saturday.—Arrived: Margarot Galbralth, from London; all well. Bluff, this day.—Arrived: To An.au. Saloon passengers iJHr and Miss Rußsell, Misses Skono (2), Mr Mills, and Dr. Coneanon.

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

MAILS WUX CI.OSR AS UNDKR !—

Tuia Day.

For Tauranga, Ohinemutu, and Opotiki, per

Ulenclg. at 1 p.m. For Tairua. per Opotiki, at 1 p.m. For Thames, per Enterprise, at J.:'O p.m. For Ku9sell, Kawakawa, Whanguroa, and Mongonui, per lona. at 4.30 p.m. For Whitiangi and Upper Mill, per Rowena,

at 5 p.m. For "VYlmnKavci Heads, 'VVlmngavei, Kanio, and Mangapai, per Waitaki, at 5 p.m.

Tuesday. Sth mat. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 8.30 a.m. For Waiwera, Kawall, Omaha, Matakana, and

Warkworth, per Hose Casey, at ID a.in. For Waitarn, etc., per Douglas, at 11 a.m. For Taranaki, Wellington and Southern ports.

per Takapuna. at 11 a.m. Per City of Sydney, as follows— For Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia. Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at In a.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 10 a.m. For money orders, the previous evening at 4 o'clock. For registered letters and nowspapers, at 10 a.m. Late letters, bearing an extra feo of six pence In addition to tiie postage, will bo receivod by the Mail Agent on board tho steamer up to the time of sailing. This mail will bo due in London on Sat urday, Feb. lti, .SSI. For Mongonui, per Wild Duck, at 11 a.m. For Taianaki. Nelson, and Southern Ports, per

Hawoa, ut i p.m. For Whungarei Heads, Parua, Wainu, Whan- Karei, Kt'uno, and Mangapai, per Macgregor, at I p.m. KorWaterford.Tanronga, etc., per A. Milbank, at (p.m. For Tnaines, per Anne Milbank, at 4.30 p.m. ■Wednesday, flth inst. For Australian Uolonios, per Hauroto, at I p.m. Notk.— The 3.3. Waiiiawa will leave llokitika for Jiuikson'a Bay and West Coast Sounds, on 10th mat, s; B. BTSS, Chief Postmastor. Chief Post-o/Ilee, Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

Jan tun y 7, 18SI. Theatre Royal—Farewell Benefit to Wm. Edwards. Abbott's Opora House.—"Much Ado About Nothing," S p.m. Freemasons' Hall—Ara Lodge, 7.30 p.m. Working Men's Club-Meeting of. Painters, 7.30 p.m. Court Pride of Oneliunga, A.0.F., S p.m. Catholic Institute, Wellinßton-street-Spcclal McctinK of Hobson Corps, A.U.V., 7.20 p.m. Drill-shed—Meeting of Victoria Rifles to receive now uniforms, S p.m. Beresforrt - street Oongroirational Church- Praise and Thanksgiving;, 7.;t0 p.m.

Births.

HUGnE3.—On January O.lSSI.nt her residence Auburn-street, Kyber Pass, tlio wife of Mr Waller Hughes, of triplets (one daughter and two sons); nil doiiia well. HASLETT.-On December i\ Mrs James A. Huaiutt of a daughter, PJ.ANT.-On the 2Sth December, ISS3. Nt her residence, Coromundcl, tho wife of W. J. Plant of a son.

Death.

KELLY.—At. llobson-street, Auckland, Doccin ber.'iO, 18S3. Margaret Kelly, the only daughter of tho late Sergeant Kelly, of the police, Dublin ; aged 28 years —Dublin papers pluase copy.

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1881.

For tho cause that lacks assistance. For the wrong tliat needs resistance, I'or the futnro in tho distance, And the Kood that wo can do.

A veiit lenient view of tho Triumph catastrophe has been taken by the Nautical Court, which this afternoon suspended Captain Brotherton'a certificate for throe years, and that of Thomas Owens, chief cfh'cer for six months. Many people thought that nothing short of cancelling Ihe captains certificate, and dealing very •trictly with the chief officer, would satisfy tho ends of justice ; but after hear ing the able defence which Mr Heskefch was offered on behalf of the captain, it was evident that at least a strong case had been made out in extenuation of that gentleman. The facts of over-fatiguo and loss of sleep were clearly established, and if the Captajn had contributed to tliedrojvsinesswhich over took him by a slight indulscenco in spirituous beverages, it was shown that he had not ill any way drank so as to incapacitate him for his duties. In short, Captain Brother ton's reputation for good seamanship and attention to duty is witAout tho slightest blemish savo that which an unfor tunate accident, with its necessary consequences has entailed. The offence of the chief officer' has, perhaps, got its full punishment, for it was by no means clear that ■ho had neg lected any specific duty, or contributed in any way to the stranding of the steamer. Tho inquiry has fully indicated tho reputation of Auckland harbour for safety, and tho judgment pf th,o Court, if discrimliiatcly lenient, is still sufficiently severe to act as a caution to the officers of vessels to guard against want of Wiitohfulness when negotiating the channels by which outrancp and pxif; to tjje harbour are obtained.

Mb Justice Gijxie.s had a pleasant duty to perform this morning in commonting upon the exceedingly light calendar which comes before the criminal sessions of tho Supreme Court. Only thirteen oases, and most of those more pGt£;' larcenies, is a criminal record which by l£? lightness speaks well for the people of tf)o district, Thoro is no crimo of violonce es copt a trifling stubbing caso, and there is indeed an uttor abaen,C;3 of all sensational interest in the criminal sittjags. This is as it should be. It] has been saitj " Happy is tho natioii that has no histo*y i l' and wo might say also, Happy is i|ie district w-hero criino is rare, and per »on and property are aliko secure. A prosecution under the Fraudulent Debtors Act of 1878 will be, perhaps, the most ex citing caso on tho list for tyial at tho pro senfc time. Tho rarity of suej) will add to the interest felt ;"» the trial, but tfio interest wjU i?e of. a mild descriptfcn. The public and the newspapers can, hoivever, well disponse with sensational tijals, when they know that the absence of such *jieans the tran quility, prosperity, and peac.efu.l advance ment of the district.

The second letter of our special corres pondent in New Cujnea, which is unusually long and interesting, is to hand, and tho first portion of it will be found jn .another part of this issue. Should space pajrjmit, tho concluding portjion of .the letter wiljl tjs published to-iporrow.

There is a lack of tUo usual cpblo news to-day on account of a break is the cable communication. The interruption, which is between Adelaide and Port Darwin, is ex pected to be removed to-day.

The managers of the Parnell Orphan Home acknowledges with thanks a case of toys for tho children at Christmas, pre sent^ by Eia Worship the Mayor of Auckland.

The exploring party under Mr Koch fort, who have been engaged on a survey of route for the main trunk railway, arrived at Kiliikihi on Saturday morning last. Mr Jlochforfc has reported that ho completed his exploration of tho central line to the westward of Tuhua, and that tho line is good throughout, He also states that tho exploring party under Mr Carkeek has been in great difficulties, having met with very impracticable country. lie has, how ever, instructions to labour until he gets through.

We would remind all our readers of the Hen F. Whitaker'f" address on the proceed ings of the late Federal Conference in Sydney, which is to be delivered in the Theatre Royal to-morrow (Tuesday even ing) at 7.H0 o'clock. We are asked to state that the dress circle will bo reserved for ladies and ladies accompanied by gentle-

Dining yesterday and to-day a large number of people made "a trip round tho Triumph," both in ferry steamers nncl sail ing boats. We understand that Mr Fraser will decido upon his future course of notion to-morrow morning.

The Union Steamship Company have just published a handy littlo volume, entitled, " The New Zealand Tourist's Vado Mocum," which contains in small and avail able compass a great deal of information re garding tho places of interest in tho colony. One fault we have to find i.s that the com piler has fallen into the old mistake of classing Duncdin, instead of Auckland, as "the largest city in tho colony;" but the tirstmentioned city being the Company's liead-quartor.s makes the statement ex plicable, if not excusable. This will bo found a very useful handbook for stranger? and travellers generally.

A farewell benefit entertainment will be given to Mr Edwards, the Australian champion, this evening. The events of tho evening will include an address from the champion pedestrian, grand presentation of piiv.es and trophies, go-as-you-please (li entries), boxing by Professsrs Davios and Montague, songs by Scott and Barry O'Neill horizontal bar feats, and other athletic exercises.

Six young ladies took ti'O " black veil " on Saturday morning at the church attached to St. Mary's Convent. A number of persons attended to witness the imposing ceremony. Bishop Luck olticiated, dressed in his pontilical robes, assisted by Keys. Fathers Walter Mocdonald, Downey, and Lenilmn.

At Aratapu on Saturday lnsta gumdiggui1 named Pearson fell from a horse which he was riding, and the animal trampled over his face and neck, causing several severe wounds. Dr. Norton was sent for, and dressed the wounds of the sufferer, who lie expects will be laid up for about throo weeks.

I Mr H. S. H. Lyall, lato Secretary of tho (lOvcrnmeut inauranco Department in Wel lington, is now opening n New Zealand branch of tho Colomal Mutual Lifo Assurance Society (Limited)—one of the foremost of colonial lifo offices. Tho Colonial Mutual Society, although not ten years old, has already 19,000 members and assurance in force oxcooding £4,(100,000. The annual income i>f over £185,000, and the accumulated funds exceed £310,000, Mr Lyall has had more than twenty years' experience of life assurance business, and has secured an influential directorate in Duneciin. Addresses wero delivered last evening at tho Theatre Royal by Key. J. Robertson, M.A., ond MrW. Brackonrig, Dr Kencicr dine presided. A remarkable instance of success under difficulties occurred at Aratapu on Boxing Day, when a man named Win. Brumier, who had been acting as trainer for Captain Seymour, having received a kick from a horse, which broke two of his ribs, suc ceeded in carrying oil two racos within twenty-four hours after tho accideiit. To tho Editor: Sir, —May I be permitted to make a suggestion respecting tho repair ing of the Triumph, in a financial point of view ? It has boon suggested, and I believe is to be carried out, that the dock is to be lengthened by building dams, takiiiJ out the front of tho dock, and other experi ments, &c. Would it not be a saving, and much more easy, to placo a slip and form a cradle to draw her up on whore she now lies?— Yours, &c, A.U.It.

A young man named Frank Silva was sailing in Mongonui Ilarbour on tho after noon of December 20, when a sudden squall capsized his boat, which almost immediately filled and sunk. Silva struck out for the shore, and after struggling bravely for some time against wind and tide, he was picked up by a small boat which put off to his assistance. Silva, in company with another young man, had a similar narrow oscapo on the previous Thursday, when a boat in which they wore sailing was struck by a squall and went stern under and out. of sight within a few seconds. The oc cupants, being near the shore, reached it in safety.

The manager of the Dart telegraphed to day : " Sixty pounds specimens from third stope, No i! reef, No. 2 lovol.—(Signed; 1\ Stosis,"

Mr J. Fitton (of Service and Fitton), the bicyclist, arrived at Tarawera, Hot Lake*, on New Year's Day, having accomplished tho whole distance on a 52 inch Xo. 1 rudgo bicycle, leaving town on the morning of Xmas Day. This is tho first attempt to tour on a bicyclo to tho Hot Lakes.

Special sorvices in connection with the Sunday-school were conducted yesterday in St. David's Church, Symonds-street, by the Rev. A. M. MeCallum, of North Shore. Tho sermons and addresses v^pro of an in teresting and appropriate character, and were listened to with close attention by good congregations.

"Voritas" writes drawing attention to tho erection of stables and sheds for the new night-soil contractor on St. John's College Trust allotments, opposite the Arch Hill Hotel. Our correspondent considers the place most unsuited for tho purpose, being in the pentro of an increasingly populous district.

The Director of tho Postal Department in Russia, M. PerfilaolF, was recently tried on a charge of ombezzlemont of public funds and found guilty. He was sentenced to dismissal from tho service and to pay a fine of 15,000 roubles.

His Lordship Bishop Luok has issuod a goneral invitation to the members of his Inirchto meet at his residenca at Ponsonby on Thursday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, for the purpose of congratulating tho Very Rev. Monsignor Fyn.es on his formally resuming the title of " Monsignor," a title of muclj honour, and but rarely conferred on the Roman Catholic clergy by His Holiness t)ie Pope; Monsignor Fynes, as Vicar-General, has rendered important servieo to the church in tho due administration of its affairs, and no doubt lip will receive the Jioarty sympathy and congratulations of his. numerous well-wishers.

A children's fjower sorvico was hold yes terday afternoon at SfL Sepulchre's, and very largely attended. Tho childron, about 2/)0, dredged in light summot clothing, matched |n procession from the school- Ijpuse' t,Q tljp church, parrying their 'floral offerings in thejr right' hands. On reaching the church, the posies' -were recoivod by tiio ministers anil teachers, uiid subsequently sent to the Hospital for the patients. A short sorvico was held, Rev. J. K. Davis reading prayers. Vonerablo Archdeacon Dudley delivered a suitable address on " Tho Garden," from words in tho song of Solomon. Soloctcd hymns were sung by tho scholars of the Sunday school.

ri't) Jjjp Editor : Sir, —Would you please, in to-day's (3'Mtt, correct a false impression which may obtain through a false assump tion in ono of'your Saturday's scintillations? It appears to bo taken for granted that as wo have decided to invite Sir Gcor^b Grey to address tho working classes in connec tor? with our coming demonstration we if)\ig&(d necessity throw Mr Dargaville over. Such, jLowjs'ye^i is not our intention, nothing hayCng occurred fco.disturb the harmony that exists between ifa siijd Sir Dargavillo. I think, sir, you will admit jtlj^i Jtli6 labour ing .classes have hot many 'staunclj f^tends in the House of Representatives, but few dii isj^y are, wo can count among them " the ,pUrmai; J Efeiyient,"and it'was with the entire eoncurrenee c/ JJr Bargavillo that wo de cided' to invite Sjr 'Qpovge to grace the coming demonstration wiQi his venerable presouce. I may say'it is t'he"tnj;ention to ;jnyite Mr Moss and other Liberal (j)ei»bfi?jß s,v}jb are not altogether persuaded that all the legislation required shonldbe in tlte In terest of money lixti monied institutions.—l am, kc, Chas,'%, U-iXf), Secretary Eight Hours Demonatratioi},

The fire departonaiit in Paris is yjsry fneflicierit, as the following incident showy; -r-O^e day last month a lire broke out" in a house «n tho Boulevard Magenta. It began .pn the axQuud floor' an(l spread throughout the noust. 3?he progress of the fire was very slow, and thorc ,yaj? plenty of time to subdue it, but movethan|ji tjoiu" syas loat in hunting {or a water1"- glug.i FoitijJUiiicly, there was no loss of life, bujt property valued at nearly £8,000 was destroyed, The Parisians had better adopt tho fire department system of San Fran cisco, omitting, of course, the political part.

A well-finished picturo by Mr Alfred Bharpe, entitled "A Grey Hay Oil' Tiii tiri," was exhibited to-day in the window of Messrs Upton and Co.'s establishment, it represents the southeastern side nf Tiri tiri under a lowering sky, and with tho rain

falling in the distance, while in the fore ground the Triumph is shown with her stern resting upon the reef where she went ashore. Its accuracy is undeniable, and the execution altogether is very good.

The retail sale of liquor "on credit" is made punishable by withdrawal of the license, according to a recent I'iussiau Min isterial decree.

Tho half-yearly meeting of the U.A.O.D. Society will bo held in the Insurance Buildings this evening, at 8 o'clock. A full attendance is requested, as important busi ness will bo transacted.

The walking match, which concluded in the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, proved a decisive victory for Edwards, who defeated his opponents—the Itonilry. liros. (■2) and Huckstep—by 9 miles S laps. Edwards, during the match, slept, on an average, about two hours per day. He has lost about (ilbs. in weight, but appears to have suffered little, his feet being well preserved. After a good sleep he was up oarly on tho morning after tho mutch (Sun day), and then seemed quite fresh. During tho match the best record was made by Arthur llendry, who takes the trophy presented by Mr M. Gallagher to the local man who accomplished the greatest distance in 'IS hours. Edwards leaves for San Francisco by tho mail steamer to-morrow, with the object of meet'uig Vaughan, tho American, at New York. Vaughan has dono s,'Sl miles in (i days, so that Edwards has in him a formidable an tagonist, and tho result of their meeting will be awaited with much interest. Our report of the match appears on the fourth page.

"A Miner" sends a long letter about matters at To Aroha. His complaint is— first, that a rumour is current to the effect that Warden Keiirick intends compelling the working of all claims to tho full, thereby squeezing out the working miner to the advantage of the capitalist^ second, that the tramway is expensively worked, and that outside claims cannot get stone crushed or even tested at tho battery ; third, that the Eureka tramway is not being laid off for the benefit of tho majority of tho mines; fourth, that the bat lory ought, if properly worked, to put through twice as much quart/, as it does ; and fifth, that the copper tables and blankets used are not Blllted to the character of the quartz, and aro liable to loso tho gold. The letter is very long, and embodies merely the opinion of tho writer, formed apparently on very insufficient data. We cannot all'ord space for more than the above epitome.

With reference to the extraordinary claim mado against tho pedestrian Edwards at tho K.M. Court this morning', and fully reported in another column, we arc in formed that further proceeding< i»ro likely to ensue. Mr Brasßoy, on behalf of Edwards, has mado an application to liavo the cheque impounded which whs alleged to bear Edwards'*signature, but which was declared to be a forgery. Edwards sails for America by the mail steamer to-moir >w.

Tho chargo of converting i"(! to his own use out of an order for the payment of i'lo, preferred against Wm. Skolly, was resumed this afternoon at the l'ulice Court, beforo Mr iT. Magoiiro, .1.1., and had not.concluded on our gouig to press. The evidence of Edward Turiti appeared in Saturday's issue.

Yesterday was a day long to bo held in affectionate remembrance by the children (f St. Matthew's. There was everything re quisite to leave a lasting recollection of a bright and happy day. A church crowded with children and parents, kind and sym pathising friends ; decorations preserved over tho Feast of the Epiphany, and brightened with fresh (lowers; sweet muse and hearty singing ; and prizes so numerous, beautiful, and costly as to be a standing witness to tho liberality ef tho generous donors of them. Besides prizes, ton certificates of morit were awarded to thoso who had passod a somewhat dilllcult written examination in tho Holy Scrip tui-iis, whilst at tho closo memento cards wero givon to tho children, for which pur poso nearly tlio whole of those provided (forty dozen) wero used, a few being left to bo sent to those who wore sick or absent In the evening there was a very large con gregation, when n sermon was preached by the incumbent on "Christ Manifest in tho Church and tlio World." The choir rendered tlio service, which included Ownly's Epiphany anthem, "From the Rising of tho Sun," in a very pleading manner.

A Matakoho correspondent writes as follows :—On Christmas Eve our concert in aid of tho funds of tho library was an ox ccllent entertainment, and well attended by tho settlers, somo of whom came a considi r able distance. Mr Ovens presided, assisted by tho Matakoho cnoir, Mrs Moulder, Missos Ovens, Thompson, and McLeod, with Messrs Smith, Ovens, and Thomp son, contributed towards the harmony of the evening; after which tho doors wero opened, and dancing commenced. Mr and Mrs Mouldor, with their charac teristic liberality, provided an anipblo upply of thoso good things which n fresh and invigorate and it is need- I»»h to remark that amplo justico was i! ;ie to this portion of the programme, tho receipts of tho evening being over £0. Wo :>.ro not without our religious sensationalist heir- in tho person of a cute antivo named Mm ukau Natalia, who has been educated at To Kowhai, leaving school about three and a half years at{o. Ho has evidently imbibed moro Old Testament than New Zealand theology, possessing as ho doos, like his moro illustrious predo cessors, an unlimited quantity of cheek. However, his followers have faith, and have constituted him their " modicino man." Measles of a malignant type arc very preva lent amongst them, and this modern John tho Baptist, or hydropathid apostle has not been vory successful in his cures, —ConttKS- I'OSDKNT.

Buy the Neiv Wilson, tho Champion Scwln« Machine; all others in stock. — L>. S. Chambers, 70, Quocn-strcot.—[Advt.J

As a New Year present, nothing is so Suitable us tho Domestio Sowing Machine of Shakesncar & Co,, (Jiiecn-strcct, opposite the Market.—[Advt.

Hay's Art Union.— Drawing for prizes, St. James's Hall, Wolliiujton-s'troe.t, 7 p.m., Tuesday. .rnminry2-2iid. Buy tickets sharp. Fifty prizes. Tickets to be shown at tioor.—[A»vr.]

INTER PROVINCIAL CRICKET MITCH.

Gantorbnry v. Wellington.

[IIV TELKCiRAPII— PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wkmjnoton, this'doy. Thk cricket match, .Canterbury V, Welling ton, commencod tjiis morning. TJip weather ia fine, but a strong N.W. wind is blowing. Wilding, Millton, and Chapman arc jiot playing for Canterbury, the first two having gone on South, and Ghapman, it js under stood, having remained behind at Auckland. ■'l shp vacancies have been iilled by some gontlomon who came up from Ch'ristohurcli to witness the inatqh. ' Canterbury won tho toss and went in to tho wickets. Tho following aro tho scores:—- Canieiuiury—lst Inn inos. Dtidnoy, b Woods fi Huchanan. c Substitute, b Lawson .. 11 IjOiiffdon, 1) Lawson 1 Secretun, c Blacklock, b Holmes .. 21 Pouock, b Laweun 1 Harnuin, b Ijiiwson 0 Corpe, b Honaldson 2!) Stevens, c Nieliolls .. .. (i Hoberta 33 Cotterill, run out 0 Kdscr, not out .. .. 2 MalJot, b Itoberls :( Kxtras !) Total lii 7 WELLINGTON. Alpe, b Edser.. .. ' 0 Roberts, b Edsor .. . ; .. .... f, lilacklock, not out Sg Lawson, not out .-.23 Extras 2 Present total for two wickots .. G3 4.30 p.m. Wellington all out for 132.

ARRIVAL OF THE ROTOMA HANA.

TilE Un'iOtt ponipany'a steamer Rotoma liana, from Sydney, passed Russell at eleven o'clock this forenboil, S!<g ljiay be expected in harbour this evening about ejght o'clock. As the mail steamer left Syduai' on tho tsamo day as tho Rotoma hana, she »jaj' ,bo ' looked for before midnight.

A man named Alox. Mclntosh was found pn'l'ortobello Road, Diinedin, on Saturday nigUfc, lying quite dead, with tho wheel of a buggy restiiig1 on jjis neck,

Still hard times fn £ke'South. During tho last fortnight twelve Dunediu trades men have filed their schedules.

SCINTILLATIONS.

Tin-'. Premier returns to Wellington on Wednesday

Hot weather has set in at last

To-night " Much Ado about Nothing " in the Opera House, and much ado about Edwards in Theatre.

Hon. .1. Uryee goes South to-morrow by theTakapuna. No sign of those addresses and banquets ! Wanganui Education Board is advertis ing money to lend. Judges Mail- and Puckoy left Auckland to-day to hold a Native Laud Court at Whakatane.

The enigma that all must gfvo up—

A Jersey waste--Haying 11101103' to see Mrs Laugtry net. Charity (school trip to Mot.utapu on Wed nesday.

Dr. McKellnr, late of Auckland, has con sented, at tho request of Government, to take temporary charge of Wellington Hos pital.

Four Europeans are in chargo at Grey mouth for brutally assaulting a Chinaman.

Nearly fifty Municipal Councils have petitioned the Victorian Government in ■favour of assisted immif!ration.

By this mail Auckland pooplo nominate ninoly-seven immigrant?—more than Otago, Wellington, and Canterbury combined. John Craig, Milwaukee, craves divorce because his wile is a gossip.

On the Un Coast, Fiji, a "prophet" is preaching a fanatical movement for the overthrow ot (iovernment.

Christchureh Corn Exchange Company, at ilii annual meeting on Saturday, was shown to have a small credit balance.

Kain again favoured the Caledonian games at lJunedin on Saturday. The great Donald lJimiic was presented to tho Governor.

The nominations of assisted immigrants by (lie mail to-morrow embrace :—English, llil; Irish, (ili; Scotch, 50; and foreign, 24. The fees received amounted to £574 ■2a Gd.

At tho Harbour Board meeting to morrow, Mr Nathan is to inovo for the appointment of an additional pilot.

"Some of those horrid Fenians again !" said a loyal but illiterate .subject, as ho gazed at the portraits of tho delegates to the Federation Conference, shown in a stationer's window in Queen-street.

Much rain fell in the SVaikato last week, and a great part of l]ie hay crop is spoiled in consequence. Unless good weather comes, tho wheat will also be seriously

damaged. A young lady, not well versed in music, wants to know if dance music is written in foot notes.

A buggy was driven from Cambridge to Ohinomutu on Saturday last—being tlio Mrs) to go by tho now road.

A new Act. came into force in Victoria on the Ist. inxt., by which nil nowspaperu will now incur a penally if they publish adver titmiuenta relating to racing sweeps or betting matters.

Six new islands, with good pnil, well watered, mid thickly populated, havo been dificovorcd near the south-eastern extremity of Now Guinea.

A fanner near I'atca, anil a director of tho West ("oast Meat Export Company, intends breeding pork for shipment. II" is convinced that it will pay bettor than mutton, as the pign will bo fit for market at. six months old.

Sir Edward Reed, M.1., thinks it possible to construct iron and steel steamers of an uiisinkablo typo—unisinkablo that is by all but tlio most extroino uccidonbt, and cer tainly unsiukablo by causes which aro now continually sending lino and costly ships to tho bottom.

AWFULLY SUDDEN DEATH.

[IIV TKr.KCUAI'II. — VKV.HH ARSOCIATION.]

\Vi:i.i.ini:tox, this day. A MRTiAM'iloiA' fatality occurred at nine o'clock last night. Mr Jacob Montoith, a well-known and highly-respected chemist carrying on business in thin city, was

supplying somo medicine to a customer, when he complained of being seized with

sudden pain. Mo retired for a moment,

and not reappearing, starch was made, and ho was found in the yard vomiting and in great pain, lie was removed, and medical aid sent for, but ho died in a few minutes. Thocau.%o of death at present is unknown, but a ■post-uioi'lc ill examination will bo made to-day.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

[Nt TKlKOttAril. —IRKS* ASSOCIATION.]

Wklmsctox, this day. Tin: Supremo Court Criminal Sessions opened thin morning before Justice Rich mond. In charging tlio Grand Jury, His Honor said tho calendar was not longer than usual, yet there wco two or tlireo cases of a serious naturo. Ono charge was that of arson, in which tho principal evidence wius statements by tho accused himself; amthel1 of ntteinptcd murder was one in which a man inllioted a sorious wound on his paramour which might easily have been fatal. Another serious caso was that of an unfortunatogirl charged with tho murder of her newly-born infant. His Honor said as tho law ~ iod at present it did not discriminate bet..eon canes of this kind and thoso of ordinary murder. If tho jury wero satisfied that tho child had met a violent death at tho hands of tho mother after birth, it was their duty to return a true bill of "Wilful Murdor." The other cases were of ordinary larceny.

Truo bills have boon returned in tlio fol lowing cases : —Anderson, attempted mur- . der j Uorth, forgery; Jansen, larccncjy ; and Kiito Boylo, murder. Ciiuitwiiimcir, this day. Tho Criminal Sessions of tho Supremo Court opened this morning. There aro 19 cases on the li«t. Judge Johnston's charge to tlio jury wa.MVOry brief. Ho remarko-i that the calom'ar was heavy, and somo of tho offences of a serious character; but nono presented any special diiliculty in dealing With. ■ Dokedin, this day.— Judgo Williams's charge was brief, lie paid the caJes pre sented no special difficulty, though somo of the ciimes chargod woro of a vory serious nature.

SPORTING NEWS.

(PROM OUR OWX COUUKSPOXDEN'T.)

Northern J. C. Races,

WiiAxo.\nm, this day.—Tho racps horo on Friday and Saturday aro oxpeeted to hp tho bpst jot held onUltlo of Auckland in tlio provincial district, forty-two nomlnaHons having been re ceived from Auckland alone. A now grand stand is bejiig built on tlio racecourso at ICensingl.on, and the pooplo are coming in from the country districts for the races. Tlie privileges of the Wliangarei races woro sold to-day for £ISS.

Settling on tho Canterbury Meeting.

f'iii:isTciiri:c'H, Ihisday.—At the settling on HioC.J.C, Miilßtimmcv MocMng; tho following anioimts were paid over: lion. W. Robinson £I!M l,Ss ; Hon. (!. McLean, £310 IHgJlIr 1). O'Hrien, £171 ; Jlr llorslord, £23 15s ;Mr P. JJutier, £.11 lss; Mr lirien, tIU : total, f.1,%7 2s.

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before F. a. Clayton, Esq., R.M.)

Er.r/A LlssTOASOE.— This parson, who had just concluded a term of imprisonment, was charged with drunkenness and riotous conduit in Viclorla-strcot lust night.—Eliza said as this was her first appearance this year, slio hoped the Court would extend its leniency towards her.—As this was tho flUrd oU'enco, prisoner was ordered to gaol for six months.

The .Shooting Uasic.—Win.Henry Jones was charged wilh unlawfully shooting with intent to murder John Masdcnnott. at Onchunga, on the 21st ult.—SuporintcndontTliomson Informed the Court that Macdcnnott was still in a very precarious condition. He licld in his hand a certificate from Dr. Scott to the effect that bis removal to Auckland would endanger hia life. He must therefore ask for another remand, Which was granted unlil tho 14th inst. ■ Alleged Vaouancy.—Petor Neilson, a Nor wegian, was chained under tho Vagrant Act with having: no visihlc, lawful means.—Prisoner pleaded not guilty.— Miss Jackson, of the Industrial Home, stated that prisoner had been found loitering about the Homo grounds, and bogging.—Constable Henry Clitikd deposed to prisoner's character as nmendieant. llesouglit out lonely houses, and nlanned females.—As prisoner had been eeveivil times convicted, ho was sent to Mount Eden'for two months.

DiWNK.-JHaria Siuilh, os; Mary Oaken, £5, being a very old ollbnder. or in default, 11 days. MacCormicic v. North.. — Thomas James North again .appeared in answer to charges of porjury.imd abroach of tho Pawnbrokers Act.— Mr Napier appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Keetloy in defence.—James Brown Got land, deposed that lie was Clerk of Uio District Court, Coromandel. lie was anting in tlifj;. capacity in June, 1853; ho recognised tho warrimt of distress in tho caso Grubi) v. MacCornrielj. Jle re ceived it from tho Clerk ot tho Court in Auckland through the post, lie knew tho accused. Saw Mm on tho evening lie rccoived itlio warrant at Coromiwirtel. Gavo. North tho «ratfant to oxeeute under the impression that he was an avuslant to. Burke, tlie bailitf. He bc licvod I,lmt ihe'Vords "liis assistant" wero not ill the Warrant nt the time..- He learned that tho warrant had been satisfied, lie was awaro that thoaecuscd'hiMl sobtcil aOiorso belonging to Mr MaeCormick. The house was not aold-undor tho warrant of d istrcss..

After he.irin- somo further evidence, th accused was committed for trial,

CABLEGRAMS.

[RROTKII'a CABLWIRAMH.]

Egypt and the Soudan. — British Aid Invoked. London, January 4. —A note has been addressed by the Egyptian Government to the British Foreign Minister, in which a demand is made for England's assistance in the Soudan. Tho note states that, unless this be accorded, the Egyptian Government will be compelled to relinquish to Turkey the eastern portion of the Soudan, and concen trate its troops in Egypt proper, and thus be able to dispense with the British army of occupation. Stoamor Ashore in tho British Channel. London, January 4.—News has been re ceived that the British India Steam Naviga tion Company'B s.s. Duke of Westminster, 2,427 tons.from Brisbane (November 6'), has run ashore at the Isle of Wight, and is in a critical position. All the passengers have been landed in safety, and tugs have gone to tho vessel's assistance. (Received January 7th—12.40 p.m.) London, January 4. —Consols remain at 100.V- The market rate of discount has de clined to '23s Bd, and is now 5s 8d below tho bank rate. New Zealand securities : 5 per cent. 10-40 loan, 104$ ; 5 per cent. 1882 loan, 103} ; '!£ per cent. 18791004 loan, 101 Jj " 4 per cont. inscribed stock, 100. Colonial breadstufls : Adelaide wheat, ex store 4C» ; New Zealand, 3Sa lid to 4l)s Gd ; Adelaide Hour, ex store, 325. The total quantity of wheat afloat for the United Kingdom is 1,870,000 quarters, a decreaso of 500,00'J during the week. Australian tallow—Best beef, JtOs (id ; best mutton, 445.

[SPECIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

London, January 4.—The mutton ex Teviotdale is realising 4f per lb. Tho Messrs Redmond report from San Francisco that three hundred branches of tho Land Loague have been established in Australia, and that tho colonists have sub scribed £4,000 towards the I'arnell testi monial.

The Roman Catholic Bishops of Aus tralia have recommended either Arch bishop Croku, or Professor Morgan Walsh, of Maynooth College, to succeed the late Archbishop Vaughan in the Metropolitan Archbishopric of Australia.

AUSTRALIAN.

Telegraph Lino Broken.

MIUBOUJINK, Monday.—The ovorland telegraph lino between Adelaide and Port Darwin is interrupted. Communication Lb expected to bo restored today.

[Vim ti.s. Tk Anau at Bluff.]

Gunboat for South Australia.

London, December 28.-—Tlio gunboat Protector, which has boon successfully, constructed for tho South Australian Government by Messrs Armstrong & Co., has boon successfully launched. Excitement in ludla. Tho llbcrt Bill, which provides for the trial of Europeans by Indian native magistrates, is tho subject of keen dis cussion in India, and tho compromise ro cently arrived at by which Europeans can be tried by native magistrates, provided that a majority of the jury ar« Europeans, is viewed with disfavour by tho natives. Tho Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has repudiated the claim put forward by Franco to Ecrebos(V) Operations in Tonquin. Tho preparations which Admiral Courbet, tho French Coinmander-in-Chief, is making for a vigorous attack upon Backninh, the stronghold of tho " Black Flags" has led, it is reported, to the evacuation of that place by tho Chinese. Sontay, which whichwasrccontlycaptured by tlio French after a protracted conflict, has been garrisoned with French soldiers.

Marquis Tseng still remains in Paris, but ho has not renewed his negotiations with the French authorities for a settlement of fio diiliculty botu een China and France.

TELEGRAMS.

[FKOM OUR OWN COKUKsrONDKNT.]

Russki.l, this day.—-Arrived : Mariner

Mattern are expected to bo soon adjusted between tho Kawakawa miners now on striko and tlio company.

Kihikihi and the Town Districts Act

KIUIKIHI, this day.—The result of the poll on Saturday was as follows :—Wilkin son, 70 ; Farroll, 0(i ; Vcrnor, 00 ; Berry, iWi ; utid Tristram, 54. Not elected— Grace, 52; Ellis, 47; Anderson, 46; Maunder, 41 ; Bloncoc. 30 ; Elmsly, 9. Tho good people of Kihikihi have thus plainly shown that they will now consider thsir own welfare, and that thoy will not for tho future submit to bo ridden over rough-shod.

Tauuanca, this day.— 11.M.5. Espiogle sailed for Lyttolton at S) a.m. Captain Bridgo and otlicer.l camo back from the Hot Lakes on Saturday evening.

It is reported that tho Governor and suite will proceed to tho Sounds by tho Espioglo.

MINING NEWS.

THAMHS,

[l!Y TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORBEsrOX-DENT. ]

Tiumks, this day. Waitoki.—Tho roturn for last month's operations is to hand, amounting to 30ozu. melted gold, for which 200 tons quartz from all parts of tho mine were crushod.

Deep Level Cross. — Crushing com menced to day at tho Herald Battery, with 20 stampers. A largo tonnage of stuff has boen accumulated. The manager also pro posed resuming driving southward on tho hanging wall branch of tho crosa lodo at No. i> level.

Nkw Diamond.—Fivo applications wore received on Saturday for tho post of manager, from whom tho directors selected Mr John Binnoy, formerly of tho original Bright Sniilo mino.

Aluuunia.- —Operations wero resumed on tho reef in tho low lovel today by driving towards tho Watchman section.

Dart.—From to-day the battery will work two eh}ffcs of eight hours oach. About GOlb apecimons were procured this morning, in tho stopea above No, 3 level, about 35ft. east of the wjnze. A fair show of gold remains in the buck of tlio stope. A fourth stopo has been commenced, and tho roof in it shows gold freply. The western <Mvo was resumed this morning.

Strike of Miners.

Eight of tho twelve men. employed in tho Moanataiari mine have absolutely refused to continue working in the hot stopes. At present tho romunpration is seven shillings per day, whilo the ordinary wages in other mines is 7s Gd, and in tho two principal claims Bs. The manager has boon unablo to mako any dofinito reply, but has com municated with the directors, pending which tho mcii dccljino to return to tho mine.

TEAKOHA.

Proposed Reduction of Miners' Wages.

Waiorongomai, this day. The directors of all tho mines on tho field having decidod to reduce miners' wages from nine to eight shillings per day, amass meeting of minors was hold near the battery this morning, about 200 being present. Mr Gavin, manager of tho Premier mine, announced tho decision of tho directors on account of tho most of the mines not yet boing payable. Ho said as part recompense the directors intend to erect huts for the men to live in. He asked them to consider that a number of men would bo thrown out of work if the minds stoppod, and requested them to come "to a decision and communicato the result to the managers. A miner* named Verity was then voted to the chair,- and the meeting unanimously decided not to accept the reduction. The proceedings were orderly. The result has been wired by Mr Gavin to the diroctors. ■■■■■.

In the article regarding the Rawlinga Scholarships which appeared in i our Saturday's issuo, it was made to appear that Mr G. Thwaites waa Master of Nekon street School, instead of Head Assistant master, i

Theodore Hook once called upon an old lady, who pressed him so 'urgently to stay and dine with her that, as he had no engage- ! ment, ho could not refuse. On sittißg down, the sorvant uncovered a dish 'which contained, two: muttoiwehops;. and tho hostess said, "Mr Hook, "you see your dinner." "Thank you, ma am," said he; " but whero is youre ?" |

NEW GUINEA.

EXPLORATION AND RESOURCK3 OF THE COUNTRY.

[Special Lrttkks to the Star.]

Mukray Island. New Guinka, Dec. 0,1553. No. ll.—Expedition up tho Fly River.

In my former communication I informed you that I was about to visit again the Fly River, also the interior of New tiuinea

behind our mission stations at Katau and

Turcture, with a view to forming new mission stations both in the Fly River and

amongst the oppressed bush tribes, who are evidently the aborigines of the country, and the prey of the intruders who live on the coast, and who keep up an extinguishing war upon these unhappy and comparatively defenceless Papuans. Having just returned, I now proceed to fulfil my promise in giving you some account of the trip.

On the 9th ult. wo left Murray Island in our mission boat, the Venture (30ft long iand Bft beam), having on board the wive* of two of the Fly River touchers anil child, live natives from a village 25 mile* up the river, who had come in the Venture on a former trip, and had seen the wonders of Thursday Inland, including three largo mail steamers, mid had been treated, not only kindly, but handsomely, at Murray Island, both by the church members and those of our institution, which I have no doubt will produce fruit in their locality. Wo had also on board a number of the students to relieve those assisting the teachers in tho Fly River. My plan is to train these men in.the work. Each teacher has a student to help him. They remain about two months at a time. We numbered eighteen persons on board our little craft. Starting at 10 a.m. with a nice light breeze, wo reached Darnley by 4 p.m. Here I as sembled the people, and had a meeting, was delighted to find the mission house and premises in excellent order, the church re paired, and a new pulpit made by the new teacher from our institution here. Wo left next morning at G a.m., and having but a light breeze, did not reach Port Spicor in the Fly River till"7 p.m.

Catching a Turtle

The monotony (and worse effects) of a clay's run into the gulf in a rolling sea, under a scorching sun and cloudless sky, was somewhat relieved by our catching an immense turtle, and I must say that it was very cleverly done. As soon as our natives saw it ahead iloating liatlessly upon the water, ono of them, n powerful fellow, fastened a ropo to hit* arm, tlio rest of tho natives holding on to tlio other end. The boat was steered straight- for tho unsuspecting turtle, and nil Htood motionless, although greatly excited ; whilst tho Venture glided noiselessly towards the monster. Just as we readied it it dived, and in plunged the man with the ropo fastened to his arm. Ah soon us the natives felt tlio rope tighten they yelled with delight, and pulled as for life. Presently there appeared a most ludicrous sight. Both native and turtle camo to the surface, tho latter in tho linn embrace of tho former, and both r oiling ovor and over as they were towed along and hauled in. A very unpleasant operation for both parties it seemed to mo, and none but a strong man should attempt such a feat. A ropo liaving been securely fastened to tho nippers,it was with considerable difficulty that all hands got it on board, its weight being nbout, I suppose, tlireo or lour hundred pounds. It was only after a good deal of shouting and pulling that tho creature was safely landed on his back on deck, causing our little craft to heel over considerably. Places Visited, We found tho mission party at Port Spicer all well, and a number of natives from the surrounding villages visiting them. A largo party in eleven canoes had left the day before wo arrived. All have been hard at work since my last visit housebuilding, fence and plantation-making, and visiting the neighbouring villages. It is to me a source of delight and devout gratitude to iind that Mibu in fast becoming what I hoped and prayed it might become—like Dinner Island, in China Strait, a rendezvous for the surrounding tribes, where they can meet in safety and learn the gospel of peace. The teachers have found splendid and cx teni-ivo plantation ground in tho intorior of tho island ; also several groves of cocoanut trees, which, with the hno harbour, make tlie place a most convenient and important dep6t for our Fly River Mission. Next day wo started for Sumaiut, a large village about twenty-five miles up the river, to which the fivo natives wo had brought from Murray Island belonged. Arriving at sundown, wo sont the natives on shore to tell tho wonderful tale of what they had seen and tho kindness they had received. It being Hood tide early next morning, I deter mined to proceed at once to a large village about eight miles further up the river, of which I had heard from tho natives. Takirg a fow Sumaiut men with us, who are friendly with the people, we started for what had been described to me as a sort of para diso, situated in a large lagoon two or three miles inland, to which there was but a narrow ontrance from the river, We had some difficulty in reaching the place owing to a strong tide against us after wo passed the islands in tho middle of the river be tween Sumaiut and Attack Islands. Arriv ing at a narrow arm of the river, indicated by a tall cocoanut tree stretching almost horizontally over tho water, the Hope, which kept ahead, entered first, and wo fol lowed in tho Venture. Tho stream was about 50 feet wide and 15 deep. As wo were borne along with the tide, I was ex pecting every moment to bfimll ; v i.' igoon opening up beforo us ;1■ .: ■ ■■ .. oigns of it, I inquired more i-i.nimiiarly, and found that tho village was about two miles further, but that the arm of the river bo camo naitfowor as wo proceeded. It turned out to be tho length, not tlio width, thatthey were referring to. I immediately anchored tho A'enturo, and we proceeded in the Hope. Some natives mado their appearance, and onr friends shouted to them, but could not succeed in persuading them to approach nearer. Wo landed tho Sumaiut men, who ran ahead through tlio plantations towards tlio village. Presently some natives made their appearance on the bank of the river, with bananas and cocoanuts for baiter. We gave them to understand that wo would buy them nt tho village, One man seemed de termined to be beforo his friends in supply ing our wants. Running ahead, ho climbed a cocoanut teee overhanging the river, and knocked down lialf-adozen nuts, which fell into thp stream, just in front of our boat, which the crew secured in passing. ...

Proiluotlvoneaa of (ho Country.

T)io country on both sides of the river pro sontud a most tropical appcaranco. Tho banks tiro about sft. high, composed of a rich alluvial noil, on which grows a most luxuriant vegetation. Qn both sides of the river, as far inland as wo could see, mo cocbanut, banana, and breadfruit trees in abundance. Hugo stag-ferns, of fantastic s'hapos.'wero clinging to th'o trunks of the trees. Tho handsome crown pigcona and snowy-white cockatoos stood onthebranches as we passed, apparently wondering at tho strange sight. Beautiful creepers hung gracefully from tho trees, and trailed their Sweet flowei-3 and dolieato tendrils in tho stream, whilst the stateloy palms bent their foathcry heads, bowing to and kissing each other from the opposito sido of tho river.

After pulling about two miles wo left our boat and joined tho natives on the bank, who conducted us, with evident fear and trembling, to their village, which was about a mile distant. It appears that it was for merly situated about two miles nearor tho mouth of the river at tho point whero wo loft the Venture, where some charred posts still stand. There they were too much ex posed to the enemy, so they removed the village to this distant and carefully-con cealed place, and have thrown a barrier of stakes across the river to prevent the pro gress of canoes, from which point it is not easy to find the village; and I have no doubt, as in our case, there are always some on tho watch Who aro able to give tho alarm before the enemy can roach them.

Tho walk to the village gavjTmo an idea of the interior of tho country in the vicinity of the Fly Rivor, and I have not the least doubt of itgbecoming a great sugar-growing country. JSugnr cane, Indian corn, and the sago palm grow splendidly ;of the last namod there is an immense quantity. We purchase a good deal for tho institution Lore. The natives make it up in bundles of about 001b weight. A small vessel may soon got a cargo, paying a knife or hatehot per bundle. I have seen largo bundles bought for four sticks of tobacco each. The natives in this part of New Guinea have their plantations intersected with deep and well-dug trenches, which drain the land, filling, tho. numerous arms of the great river. When we readied.the: village it was de serted. iMen, women, and children were gone; only the few remained wlw accom panied us j but there is littje doubt that the men wero not far off and ready for action, probably watching our moyements. , I walked through tho largest house in tJio

villago, and indeed the largest I Jiavo yet Been in New Guinea, and found it measured 512 ft in length and 30ft in width. It was like looking through a tunnel. The principal entrances are at the ends where the roof overhangs a platform; but there are also nino doors on each side of tho house. The structure is built on posts Sft from the ground, and neatly enclosed with palm leaves. The interior I found clean and comfortable ; although there are no partitions in the house, it is nevertheless divided info numerous sections. There are two rows of pillars about Bft from tho sides of the house, forming a wile public thoroughfare through the centre oi the building. The sides ar« evidently con sidered more private, and, although not formed into compartment* by partitions, the .spaces used by different families are marked by the construction of what looks liku beds from the sides of the house to the pests, raised 4ft from tho ground; but in these berths they keep their food, firewood, etc., which is certainly much better than allowing these things to lie about on the lloor, ns is generally the case. After explaining to the old chief and those present the object of our visit, and making them a .small present, we returned accompanied by the natives, who were probably anxious to see us safely away. Tho tide had changed, and was; ebbing fast when wo reached the place where we left tho Venturo. Wo found that there was hardly room to turn her in tho stream. Making tho stem fast to tho brink, she swung round, and then we went out into the river with rlio .stream, tho Hope ahead towing. The Fly River at this point is like an inland sea of fresh water, one arm run ning from Attack Island to the sea on the north-east side of Kaiwni.apparently almost us large as that on the south-west side. It is about thirty miles from the mouth of the river; an 1 one cannot look upon this immense body of fresh water without feel ing that it is doubtless the grand water way into the interior of the country, and destined to bear on its bosom no small por tion of its commerce.

(To be. Continued),

CIVIL SESSIONS.

Tin: following is tho cause list for the civil

essions of the Supremo Court, which open

on Monday next : —

Mark Woodward v. B. Gittos and Sons.

Walter Vero Stevens v. James Darron, Union Steam Saw Moulding Sash and Door Company, and Theophilus Kissling (District Land Registrar.) Thomas Slater and David Olphert v. The Union Fire and Marine Insurance Com pany of Kew Zealnnd. The Bank of New Zealand v. Frank llubbard.

The Helen -ville Timber Co. v. Frederick Meyor.

Geo. Henry Jamieson v. Harold Henry De Bourbel and Marian De JJcurbel.

John i.ea Stevens v. Captain James Stono.

Kori l'uao, Ani Waata, and More Taua, HukaWiv, llariata Taraotea, Tamihana Taraotea and others, including T. Grice und John Bonn. Karaka and olhow v. Ilarate Tamihana and others, including T. Giiee and J. Bonn. Mary Ann Mahoney v. William John Cost olio. Albert Walker v. Edward Ton-ens Bris senden. John Edward Banks v. Henry Alley. Archibald Clomentsv. Bernard Montague. Charles Ring v. Joseph Howard and an other. Daniel Austin Tolev. George Fraacr. George Fnuser v. George RattrayMcNab. .Jules George Wilson v. Francis Dyer Rich and others. William MeLeod v. James Macfarlane. John Iloughton v. Frederick Alexander Whitaker. Frederick Charles Smith v, William Fraser and John Shcolian. Tho Bank of Ncw/ealand v. The New Whau Gold Mining Co. (Limited). Patrick O'Hearn v. George Brimble combo.

FIJI NEWS.

[Per- p.s. Pkxouix.]

Mk Archibald McGkfxor has been elected Warden of Suva by an overwhelm ing majority. Tho other candidato was Mr Scott.

It is understood that on the estimates for the ensuing year arc tho following :—For the erection of a now wharf at Lovuka, £1,700 ; for the upkeep for Levuka wharves, £200, and for tlio purpose of assisting in the purchase of a recreation reserve for Lovuka. £200.

The following report on a sample of tea grown by Mr J. E. Mason, on his Alpha Estate, Taviuui, has been received by Messrs W. W, Forward and Co. from the Oriental Tea Company: "Leaf. — Poor and not properly sorted out. Fer mentation and manipulation rather irregular. Liquor very good. In fused loaf bright and equal to finest China Congou. Thoroughly pure and without a single bad or decayed lealf; liquor, strong, pungent, and well iiavoured, being similar to many Indian growths. Tlio leaf itself being so good, we do not see why Fijian tea should not, with improve ment in manufacture, rank with tho best grown teas in the world."

ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE— "MACBETH."

"Macbeth" was produced at the Opera House on Saturday night to a good house. It was obviously an excursion from tho regular lines of the Company, whose forte is undoubtedly comedy, but still tho play received an effective impersonation, altiiough naturally suffering by comparison from pre viousperfonnances. Missl'omeroy, of ccurse, sustained tho rOlo of Lady Macbeth, and by her acting established her claim to great histrionic versatility and undoubted apti tudo for Shakespearian impersonations. In somo respects, however, the conception was open to criticism. Both tho action and speech in tho first act were too suddenly intensified, and therefore gave the impres sion of being laboured and overdrawn, while the diminution of energy .which fol lowed becaino noticeable by contrast. In tho succeeding acts tho portraiture im proved, and in the b.inquctting and sleep- Walking scones tho lady appeared to very decided advantage. I'ho lady has some original " business" which assists to emphasise her readings, as, for instance, the sitting down upon tho Beat whereon her husband had descried Banquo's ghost as a means of dissipating his fears. She had mado a scholarly study of the parts, and brought great skill to bear in the realisation of her conception, but wo must confess that wo liko her best in comedy, wherein she shines resplcndontly. Mr Arthur Elliott made a creditable Macbeth, albeit ho' was inclined to accentuate too sharply tho superstitious pusillanimity of the ambitious thane's character. He delivered tho Hues with good judgment. Still, tho part was subsidiary to that of Lady Macboth, and thoreforo lacked somewhat of its duo prominence. Mr Appleton's Maciluff was very good, and the gentleman made every point tell. Especially fino was his outburst of horror and amazement at tho discovery of tho murdered fiuncan. Miss Bronton mado a really capital Hecate, displaying to ad vantage tho resources of a strong contralto voico of good compass. Locke's music, of course, was given, and she tcok her part in it very acceptably, while tho Misses B. and h. Lewis ably filled the soprano parts. In fact, the musical cll'ccts wore a feature of ho performance. Tho remaining r6les were well sustained. To night, Shakes peare's delightful comedy,

"Much Ado About Nothing," will be staged, with Miss Pomoroy in tho charming part of Beatrice, and Mr Elliott in that of tho converted bachelor, Bene dick. Tho opportunity of seeing this en gaging play is very rarely presented, and on this occasion a regimentation of surpass ing excellence may bo anticipated.

Auckland Sharemarket.

Jaxuaky 8. Bank of New Zealand—Sellers, £.2 7s Cd National Bank—Sellers, 72s Cd Colonial Bank-Sellers, Us Now Zealand Insurance—77s South British Insurance—sss ; sellers, 60s Auckland Gas—Buyers. £0 15s Taupiri Coal—Buyers, 17a Caledonian—Buyers, 10s lid Deep Levol Cross—3s 4d 3s Cd ; buyers, 3s 3d Prince Imperial—Sellers, 21s London—Buyers, 2s Cd Ivanhoo—2s 4d; Sellers, !s Cd Darwin—Buyers, is Premier—Sellers.- Is 3d Now Find-Sellers, 10s Coquette—Buyers. 60s

JOSEPH NEWMAN. Chairman,

Pinko County Council at its monthly meeting last Friday had- beforo it a recom mendation of the To Arolia Tramway Com mittee, that all goods, mining requisites of aM kinds, be sent up the tramway at a charge of Is per cwt. ; parcels under lewt., at a uniform charge, of Is,

THE TRIUMPH INQUIRY.

Captain's Certiflnato Suspended for Three Years.

Chief Oitlcer's Certificate Suspondod for

Six Months.

Captain and Mate to Boar Costs, £96,

At half-past two o'clock this afternoon,

judgment was given in respect to the Triumph casualty. M. H. Q, Seth Smith (R.M.) and Captains James and Prater (Nautical Assessors) occupied the Bench. Messrs E. Hesketh, C. E. Button, G. N. Brassey, and J. B. Russell, the learned counsel engaged in the matter, were pre sent. Mr Button explained that Mr Hud- Ron Williamson was unavoidably absent, being ongaged at the Supreme Court,

Mr Smith, in dolivoring judgment, said— ■ " After carefully considering the evi dence in this cane, we lmve come to the conclusion that the suggestion or charge brought against the master of the vessel of inebriety on the day of tlio casualty has no evidence to stand on. On the contrary, we have evidence showing that he was perfectly sober all the day anu up to the time of the stranding of his ship. We think, also, that the evidence brought before us gives a tull explanation of the manner in which the casualty came about; that is to say, taking into consideration tlie fact of the order given by the mastei te the quartermaster to steer with the Tkitiri light on the port bow, coupled with the fact that the quartermaster did steer in that way for twenty minutes, and that the master was asleep nearly the whole of that time, fully explains the position in which the vessel was found when she struck on the : rock. If the vessel had been steered in this . way.thelightbeingkeptasthequartermaster said lie was ordered, on the fore rigging,she could not have got where she did, and we therefore consider that during hercourse she must have been swerving to the westward. Wo have a sketch map showing the way which she was steered, and the course on which she was when the pilot left her, and from it is evident that she swerved round to the north west, which was her position when she struck the rock, so that there re mains no longer any mystery as to how f'c ship came into this posi tion. The fact that the order given to the quarter-master was implicitly followed by him fully explains how the vessel csmo to strike the rock. This being then a full explanation of the casualty, the question for us to consider is : On whom does tiio responsibility for the casualty lie ? Now, hero it eositis to us that we cannot accept tl c statementmade by the man on the look-out: that ho hailed the bridge at a time when the ship was distant at least a mile from the point of danger, which, at the rate she was then travelling would have "allowed 5J minutes to elapse before she reached the spot where she struck^ We believe the real state of things was, ns the quarter-master himself says, that no alarm was given by the look-out or 1 y anyone else until the last moment, when uoth the look-out and the quarter-master simultaneously perceived the danger of the position, Our opinion is that the look-out -must have boon dtz'iig, and that not until the ship was actually in the point of 6trii£--_, ing was there tiny alarm given by him. Wo are of opinion, then, that the master was in default in allowing the casualty to happen, and, upon his own confession, because the most serious matter in which fault attaches to him is the fact of his going to sleep while on duty. We think also that there are some other matters that we cannot pass over in silenco, which show at any rate a want of care on his part. We believe that he was attacked by sleepiness, caused as ho himself says by working on the day of the vessel's departure, and by the exhaustion resulting from suffering and want of sleep caused by neuralgia, but being in that stato lie should not have trustcu to his own powers of watch fulness, but should have kept somo one with him on the bridge. There was a greater necessity en account of his drowsiness for him to tako care to hare had assistance at hand. In the next place he should not have given such an order to the quarter - master as to steer by the light on the jot bow, wlLli as tho cvidonco showed, through being fol lowed implicitly, led the ship into danger. He should have given the course by tho compass. It seems to us also that he ought to have placed a -.nan at some point between tho forecott'e head and the bridge, to repeat any order given by him or any warnings, and more especially so |j from the direction in which the wind was v blowiug—from tho north; it was from aft ,.A forward. Wo have also come to the eqU-fi■"■'• elusion that the master departed from whit;.' is considered the general rule on board ship; I in not having himself ascertained who was H the man on the look-out, so as to be aware what degree of responsibility could . be reposed in him. According to his own - statement he did not, at the time, know I who the man was. Taking the whole I circumstances of tho case into consi- .■• deration, we have come to the con clusion that the evidence discloses a want of care and foresight on tho part of tho master, amounting to such gross carelessness, that we think that the suspen sion of his certificate cbnnot be made for a § less period than for three years. We next ".. come to the conduct of tho chief officer. Here we call attention to the fact of the. un satisfactory, and I may say untruthful, way I in which his evidence is given. He has, I for some reason known to himself, con sidered it necessary to deny certain matters in regard to which the quarter i •master and other witnesses had sworn did take place ; as, for instance, his ; denial that he said that he would1 go : forward and blow the whistle when the yards were squared, and his denial that he gave any orders to square the topsail Putting that aside, however, we cannot help thinking that there was a neglect of duty on his part in not keeping a look-out while engaged upon the deck. No doubt he was attending to his duty of supervis ing generally the work that was going on, but we think that it was an important, if not the most important, part of his duty, to have assisted the master by himsolf keeping a look-out, and that in not making that a part of his work of general supervision, wo consider that he was clearly neglecting his duty. Therefore, we have decided that his certificate should be suspended for six months. As for tho second officer, we consider him entirely free from blame, and his certificate, which was also handed in, will therefore be returned to him. Wo cannot conclude this decision without a reference to the conduct of tlio quartor-master in pontinuing to steer for so long a period as twenty min utes by a light. It shpws a neglect fit duty, which soeips very littlo shorj; of wilful misconduct. He cannot either re; Irani from saying that tho man on the look out was guilty of a serious noglect of duty in net calling the at tentio:i of the master to the vessel's posi tion at, an earlier period than he did. Tho Nautical A<sessois, who are associated with me, wisli mo to call attention to ono fact which doos not altogether come within tho scopo of this inquiry. lit is that in order to avoid the pos sibility of casualties of this kind it is dosirable that tho present unsatisfactory limits of pilotago should be extended to somo point clear of tho Shearor Rock. His Honor thon adjudged tho costs— amounting 'to i9l>—shouid bo borne - by the master and chief officer, tho master paying £72, or three-fourths, and'the chief officer the remaining fourth, f 24. This concluded tho proceedings.

MYSTERIOUS MURDER CASE.

(BY TRLKORAI'II.— VKESS ASSOCIATION.)

Greymouth, Suntjay. The body of James Gilford was found'on the road at Maori Creek, Dunganvillo, this morning, stabbed to death.' There were two deep stabs on the chest, one bad one on the neck,' besides two smaller ones, and stabs also in a namber of other places, Crie* ot a human being were heard in the direc hon of the murder last night about half-past eleven. Gifford was a witness- against Morton in a notorious ease of stealing gold at Maori Creek. A man's hat and knife wero_ found close to the body, as if tho murderer ran away in a hurry. No sus picion attaches to anyone at present.

Washing Made Easy.— Use Prico's Soap Extract. Safe, sure, economical. Sold brail respectable storokcopora,—(Advt J."

, "It's A Wonderkuc Wkdicinb, andhnscor tninly iiono me (food,1; is tlio. report of a lady who was sufficing with oppressive breatliinV and distressing cou K li-tlic common (symptoms m lung di3eiise. Sho spoko of Aickin's Sirup of liucaljptus with Hypophosphites of limo and Quinine,, as many others have done. It floes not require faith. A little experience will K^Dk 8' value.,l? tho B"fteror. Address: The Pharmacy," Quoon-street

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR. MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1884



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