SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

i- fi«in t-.'»'iiir_.iTllißl- ,,0111n 1*'7' 1? -_. _11«I_ v,._.___.». fio-morrow Morning, 7.30 eUNSKT.—TUt* Evening. 5.1e . HCNRA. .-To-motfow Morning. S.&> MOON'S A SB.—Last Quarter, 11th, 2 47 p.m,

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY. Wellington, s.s . Farquhar. from Tauranga Neptune, s.s.. Mustard, from Mercury Bay Pet, barque, from Lyttelton Marshall a, brignntinc, from Oamaru

DEPARTURES.

LAST EViNISp. Southern Cross, as., Hutchison, for tho South TO-DAY. Flora, barquo, Holman, for Hamburg lona, s.s„ Amodeo, for Ohlwa

IMPORTS.

Per Chieftain—42o sacks Oamaru potatoes. Per Chieftain-..-.sacks seed potatoes.-W, J. Hurst & Co. Per Devonport-1,000 sacks potatoes.—W. J. Hurst __ Co.

Por Devonport—l6B sacks seed wheat-^Hcs keth and Aitken.

Per Chieftain—l2o sacks •amarn seed pota toes. Per Pel—loo saolta white tuscan seod wheat, 261 sacks fowl wheat, IGU sacks Canter bury Ditatocs, 105 tacks tarturianseed oats— U. S. Jnfins. Per ret—Hl sacks seed wheat, 800 sacks and bags flour, HI sacks malt, 170 sacks white tar tanan seed oats.—Heßkoth and Aitken,

Inwards, Coastwise. — Kauri, from Port Chalmers, with 51.000 feet timber; Rata, from Waiara, with' 2. logs; Nellie, from \Mianga poua, with 30.000 feet timber; Opotiki, from Opotiki, with 112 sacks maize.

Outwardb. Coastwme.—Rata, lor Waiara; Nellie, for Wnangapoua. Tho brigantine Defiance was floated out of dock tills morning.

The s.s. lonic arrived from Hokianga this morning, and left again for Ohiwa at 11 a.m.

Tho barque Flora sailed for Tlamburg via a channel port this morning.

Tho barque Thames has cleared at the Cus toms for New York with 3,563 cases gum, valued at *20,490.

The soheoncr Queen and barque Laira arrived at Hoklanga from this port yesterday.

The brig Chicftian came up tho harbour this morning. Sho had a very stormy passage up f i otn Oamaru, but no damage was done to either ship or crew.

The barquo Pet. from Lyttelton. was inside Tirit_ri>when wo went to press, and the brigan tlno Marshall S., from Oamaru, was coming up tho harbour.

Tho 5.3. Southern Cross left for the South las evening witli the following passengors: —Mr F. Jones, Miflß Hood. Mr and Mrs Steer and child, Messrs Kemp, Weston, H. Heather, Mal ccmson, McGeogh, Dormer, Chambers, and J. H. Warren.

Tho b.s. Wellington arrived from Tauranga at a3O am. to dayr with tha following passengers: —Mrs Dawson and son, Mrs Do Thiery, Miss Harvoy. Messrs Butler, Abbott. Rushbrook, Dixon, ■ Fraser, Jagger, Knapping, Pukuatua, Mitchell, Jaggs, and thrco steerage.

THE IONIC.

Tho s.a. lonic is expected to leave for Wel lington at 7 o'clock this evening. From hero _lio takes gum valued at £2,816; 3 casus apparel. £1,200; 54 bales cotton, £818; 300 cases preserved meat, £420; 2 boxes silver, £2GO; sundries, J. 285: total value £5,799.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVAL.

Douglas, 8.8., Daniels, from Waitara Argyle, s.s , MoArthur, from Waitara

DEPARTURE.

Argyle, 8.8., McArthnr, for Waitara

Tho Northern Company's steamers Douglas and Argyle arrived from Wai.ara this morning, the former with- 24 head of cattlo and-180 sheep, and tho latter with 26 head of cattlo and 276 shoep. Tho .s.s. Aigylc left again for tho same port at soon.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Melbournb, thij day.—Arrived, yesterday S.s. Manapouri, from Bluff.

COMMERCIAL.

Evenimg Star Office, this day. Messrs E. & A. Isaacs report on their sale of fancy goods, toys, pipes, &c., held on Wednes day, 6th. as follows:—The trade -was largoly represented, the bidding sp-fited, and tho prices realised were considered satisfactory. About 56 packa_.es altonpther wore disposed of.

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

Mails will Close as ottos: r i— Ibis Lav. For Wellington and Southern Ports, per lonic, at a p.m. For Tauranga, Ohlnemutu, and Opotiki, per Wellington, at 5 p.m. For Whltiangi Upper Mill, and Tairua, por Rowena or Neptune, at 5 p.m. For Mangawai and Kalwaka, por Ruby, at 5 p.m. FBI-day. August 8. For Waitara. etc., per Lalla Rookh. at 7.10 a.m. For Cowes and Coromandol, por Coremandel.at 130 p.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 2.30 p.m. For Wellington and Southern Ports, por Omapcre, at o p.m. For monoy orders, regis tered letters, anrl newspai era at -l p.m. For Whangarei Heads. Parua, Waipu, Whan garei, ICarao, Tangihna, and Mangapai, per Macgrcgor or Waitaki, at S p.m. For Thames, per Enterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Saturday, 9th Inst. For Waitara, etc., per|Hannah Mokau, at 7.10 a.m. For Walwera, Mahuranci, Matakana, Manga wai. etc., per Rose Casey, at 0 a.ra. For Waterford, Tauranga, &c, per Roto mahana, at 2.30 p.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 3 p.m. Tuesday. 19th Inst. Per s.s. Zealandia, as follows— For Navigators Islands, Sandwich Islands. United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central, and South Am. rlc i. and British and Foreign West Indies, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe at 1 p.m. For monoy orders, registered letters and newspapers, at 11.30 a.m. Late letters, bearing an extra too of six pence in addition to tllb postage, will be received by the Mall Agent on board the steamer up to the time of sailing. This mail will be duo in London on Satur day, September 27th, 1884. S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster. Chlof Post-oDlce, Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

August 7, 188-1. St. James's Church—Annual Soireo, 6.30 p.m. Caledonian Hotel—Grafton Road Chess Club Tournament. Grafton Road—Wcsleyan Band of Hope Entertainment, 7.30 p.m. ChoralHall--Lecturcon"ArtinNowZoaland," by the President of the N.Z .Art Students' Asso ciation, 8 p.m. Newton Wc.t School room—Meeting of Arch Hill ratepayer, 7.30 p.m. Ponsonby Hall—Leoturo on " Tho Introduc tion of Christianity into Scotland," &c, 7.30 p.m. V.M.C.A.—Devotional, 7.30 p.m, Newton Congregational Church—A Recogni tion Soiree to Rev. Thomas Adams (J. C. Firth, Ksq., Chairman); lea at G. 30 p.m. Monthly Meeting of Prince of Wales Lodge, Masonic Hall, Princes-street, 7.30 p.m.

Births.

RITCHIE.—On August 5, Mrs Ritchie, Canada street, NewtoD, of a daughter. Both doing welt ROCHET.—On August 6, at Selwyn Torraco, Parnell, Mrs ■ Blehonne Rochet of twin daughters. All doing well. VEAL.—On July 20th, at her residence. Lower Hepburn-street, tho wifo of Charles Veal of a daughter.

Deaths.

BARRETT.—On July 30, at his late residence, Coromaidel, Peter Barrett, lato of the 50th Regiment; aged 81 years. HUSTWICK. — On August 5. at Exmouth strcet, Newton Road, of effusion of the brain, Frederick L. Hustwick, eldest son of T. H. Hustwick, Ksq., of Blenheim, Marl borough ; agod lis years. MUNRO.-On 7th August, at her parents' resi dence, Norfolk-street, Ponsonby. Jane Mc- Galium, infant daughter of William and Agnes Munro; aged 9 months. Private interment. WAIT.—On August 7, at hor parents' residence, Victoria-street, Jessie Veronica, the infant daughter of James and Ellen Wait; aged o weeks.

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1884.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistant)*, For the future In the distance, And tlio geod that we can do.

At two o'clock this afternoon the New Zealand Parliament, for the second time within the space of two months, was opened with the accustomed formalities. Ministers having fully determined upon resigning office, and their resolution having become known, the proceedings were not invested with that amount of high-pressure excitement which it had been expected would attend them. No one can doubt the wisdom of the Premier and his colleagues in relinquishing office

before the heterogeneous Opposi tion has had time to become consolidated. In our remarks yester day we pointed out that in all probability Major Atkinson would make a master stroke at the last moment which might retrieve the ap parently waning fortunes of his party. What that stroke may be is dis closed by our reporter's telegram from Wellington to-day. If, as seems very likely in the confused state of parties, His Excellency should ask the advice of his Ministers, they will recommend that Mr Ormond be sent for, when that gentleman, it is conjectured, would form a Cabinet composed of the principal members of the retiring one, with additions from different part, of the House. These are doubtless the best tactics for the Ministry to pursue, but we question if they will be successful in securing the desired end. It is to be noted that Mr Ormond has not yet arrived at Welling ton, so that all knowledge of his inten tions must be purely speculative. A Grey-Vogel coalition, with one of the knights as Premier, is still the coming event which casts the biggest shadow before, and which appears most likely of fulfilment. For further information, we refer our readers to our full Parlia mentary telegrams.

It not unfrequently happens that those entrusted with the administration of an Act of Parliament are best able to de termine what amendments of the law are desirable, and therefore the Confer ence of School Committees which took place at Dunedin last night provides a perfectly legitimate and very desirable method of securing necessary altera tions in the Education Act of the colony. While sections of the people are theorising about nice questions of " justice " to different sects, and prating about denominational education, it is comforting to find the School Commit tees attacking the subject of educa tional legislation in a practical spirit. The example set by Uuiiadin might very well be followed in other parts of the colony, and perhaps after the different districts had expressed their views, a general conference of repre sentative men might be held to draft proposals for submission to Parlia ment.

Two points in the resolutions arrived at by the Dunedin Conference arc of considerable importance from the stand point of the public. The first ol these is the proposed abolition of the cumulative vote. This exceptional vote in the election of School Com mittees is out of harmony with our other popular institutions. The rule of the majority is the basis of our general elective system, and experience has proved that the cumulative vote only secures minority representation, with its necessary corollary of obstruction to business. The anomaly should be swept away. The other point is the suggestion to have the powers of School Committees enlarged. This we have frequently urged should be done, and our local Board of Education has con ceded more extended powers to the Committees in their district than are allowed by a strict reading of the Act. It is highly desirable that the School Committees should have a higher status than that which they now pos sess, and by a judicious enlargement of their powers we believe greater effi ciency and economy would be secured. The proposal to appoint compulsory officers is, we think, premature, and the cost would be needlessly incurred. On questions of detail and technique the School Committees are not gener ally so well qualified to give an opinion as the teachers ar*; but even in these matters we have no doubt the result of the deliberations of the School Committees of the colony would be to secure some requisite and useful amendments of the Education Act.

Colonial Wool Production.

Amo-*g the wonderful developments of trade in modern times that of tho woollen industries ranks as phenomenal. From carefully-compiled statistics wo rind that in 1831 the total importation of wool into England did not exceed 97,371 bales, whilo in 1883 it had risen to the gigantic total of 1,485,460 bales. This tolls an oloquent tale of cheap and warm clothing supplied to the people, and a furthor glance, at the statistical tables shows that this lias been chiefly due to tho growth of sheep-farming in Australasia. In 1831, these colonies only sent 11,596 bales of wool to England, whereas last year the export was within a fraction of a million bales; the exact figures were 990,792. From this it is plain that two-thirds of tho wool im ported into Britain is got from Australia and Now Zealand, and, roughly spoiking, the growth of British wool industries during tho past 51 years has been depen dent upon tho wide pasture lands of these colonies. The other parts from which Eng land's wool supplies are drawn embrace Germany, Spain, Portugal, Russia, India, Persia, South America, and Africa, but the total quantity received from these places is unimportant, and in some cases tho trado has been stationary for many years. In others the amount has considerably de clined, as for instance in tho case of Ger many, where the figures last year show 16,138 bales against 60,782 in 1831, and that of Lima, Peru, and Chili, i. hich sent only 10,690 bales last year against 55,190 bales in 1841. It is, however, only since 1867 that the Australasian supply has exceeded the foreign, so that tho chief developement of the colonial,wool export trade only dates back fifteen or sixteen years.

Looking more particularly to the dotails of the colonial wool production, we find that Victoria heads th« list for 1883 with 330,518 bales, New South Wales follows with 234,659, and New Zealand is "a good third" with 215,024. South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, and Western Australia follow at lorn; intervals. Our own colony was the last to enter the trade, her exports not ap pearing on the list till 1848, when she figures for the modest total of 567 bate. Two years prior to that, Western Australia had sent Home 1,503 bales, andyet another year earlier South Australia had sent 4,832, at a time when Tasmania was exporting 10,839 bales. Now New Zealand has quite out stripped these throe colonies, her export of wool to England last year being double that of South Australia, nine times that of Tasmania, and twenty times that of Western Australia. This result>is ontirely duo, we believe, to the superior nature of our pasture lands, which enables this colony to maintain much more sheep in proportion to its area than any other in the group. Tho growth of our wool exports to England, since thoy started 35 years ago, has been as steady as it has beon rapid. In 1858 thoy had risen to 10,792 bales, in the next decade tho figures mounted to 81,268, and this largo total was doubled in the • course of other ten years. The ratio of increase for tho last ton years has been 7,471 bales per annum for New Zealand, 7.110 for Victoria, and 2,199 for Now South Wales, while it is considerably less for tho other colonies. These facts aro of great importance, as showing that our producing powers havo not yet reached their limit, tliough it ib probablo that tho expansion of the frozen meat trade may for somo time keep down our exports of wool. It is also evident that the absorb* ing power of tho English market is not ono whit less than it was before our trado in wool commenced, and wo may-'receivo with indifference the announcement that the Government of the United States mean to continuo their stupid policy of imposing a protective tariff on foreign wools.

The s.s, lonie is to leave the Queen-street wharf at 7 o'clock to-night.

There was but little alteration in tho stock and share market to-day. Sales : New Zealand Bank, £22 ss; National, 245; Standard, 13s; Prince Imperial, 30a Od, 31s ; Cambria, Is 4d, Is sd.

Another vacancy is caused in tho rapidly thinning ranks of our old identities by tho death ol Mr Benjamin dittos, head of tlio firm of Gittos and Sons, loathor merchants, of Wyndlmm-stioot. Ho died last evening at tho l'csidoneo of his son, Mr J. ditto., at Ponsonby, in tho 70th year of his ago. Tlio deceased arrived here in 1840, and settled first at Hokianga. Tho war of 184.., how over, caused him to move to Auckland, whore ho has resided ever since. Tlio firm with which his name is so intimately con nected was established in 1857, though tho Wliau tannery did not commonco operations till six years later. Ho loaves four son.— tho Rev. W. Gittos, of Kaipara ; Mr J. Gittos, of Ponsonby ; and Messrs Francis and James dittos, of Avondale—and two daughter.-, both married.

Two case;* of infectious disease—both located in tlio Ponsonby Ward—havo beon reported to tlio Sanitary Inspector within tho last ton days. Ono is a case of scarla tina, and the other is typhoid fovor. In his report to tho Council tho Inspector states that in the course of hisporegi'illations about tho city he lias como across many gullies which fn warm weather aro likely to become veritable hotbeds of .sickness and disease He indicates particularly the gully mi I bo eastern and western sides of drey-street, and points out that it should bo systemati cally drained, as tho accumulation of tilth there beggars description. Tho ollicor grimly reminds tho Council that prevention is better than cure.

Mr A. Vollbmcht, manager of the Now Zealand Tobacco Company, has beon forced to iilo his schedule through tlio rather op pressive and questionable action of ono or two Wellington gentlemen who wore joint promoters of a projected Tobacco Com pany in Wellington two years ago. Mr vollbracht retains tlio confidence of his present directors, and will conliiuto to net as manager of tho Company.

Amongst tlio Auckland cargo in the s.s. lonic is a quantity of tlio plant for tho Now Zealand Ironsand Company's smelting works tit Onehunga, Tlio shipment consists principally of founda tion plates nnd rolling mills. Tlio remainder of tho plant, including do oxydisor_, gos-genorator., etc., is on board tlio ship Wanganui, now duo. Tho directors hopo to hnvo four furnaces' ready by Christinas, nnd anticipate (lint tlio works will bo in full swing by Foliruury. During tlio past few month.., upwards of 100,000 lire-bricks havo boon manufactured at tho works, Onohunga,

A woman named Anno Wardsworth, a patient at the Lunatic Asylum died last evening, and an inquest on her remains is proceeding this afternoon before Dr. Philson, coroner.

A petition from tho ratepayers nnd resi dents of Bayfield, Ponsonby, which was adopted nnd signed at a meeting held on Tuesday ni<_;lit ; will bo presented to tlio City Council this evening. It prays them to tako stops to mnko passable Argyle-street, Herno Bay, Marine Parade, Bella Vista, Clifton, and Wharf Bond. Cr, Field has promised to miivo that tlio water rules be remitted in the case of such ratepayers as aro precluded by want of mains troin availing themselves of the city water supply.

The Presbytery of Auckland met last evening in the church at Devonport to carry out tho system of l'rosbytorial visitation. The Rev. 0. B. Monro presided. The usual questions woro put by the Presbytery to the minister (tho Rev. A. M. McCallum) and tho office-bearors of tho congregation. The Rev, Messrs Mackenzie Fraser and Carrick then addressed tho congregation, urging them, thcro being no manse, to mnko n bolter provision for their pastor, of whoso character nnd ministerial services thoy spoke in torms of warm commendation, Tho Presbytery afterwards tesolved to recom mend tho charge for a supplemental grunt. Tho meeting wns then closed in the ordinary way.

The law regarding Sunday entertain ments would seem to bo obscure in all the Australian colonies. At Sydney, tho matter was lately before Parliament, and Mr Stuart, Colonial Secretary, said:—l hnvo received a report from the police authorities in Melbourne with regurd to the position of this matter there, and they seem to bo in much tho same position as ourselves. A telegram from Mr Chomloy states that Sun day lectures in the theatres have not beon discontinued, nnd they have no power ap parently to tako any steps in the matter. Tho subject is under consideration to see what stops can bo devised in the matter.

An oldorly man, who guvo his nam* as William Murrill, was arrested in a stnto of inebriation by Constable Kenny in Chapel street. Tho poor old fellow had become Cossesscd of a littlo more money than usual y his labour, nml furnished his material man with a new coat, his pocket with a white handkorchief, two exponslvo pocket knives, a natty loathor purse, and a quarter of a pound of golden-loaf. He acknowledged to Constable Kenny that ho was vory drunk, and begged ho would tuko him home, but ho could not tell where his little house was situated. The constablo gently led the old man to the lock-up. Ho immediately lay down on Jacob's pillow, and in two minutes ho wns asleep and apparently as happy as a king.

At noon this day nominations were received by Mr Seaman, Returning Ollicor, at the Ellerslie School-room, of Messrs Ceo. Edward Ireland, John Jones, and Albin Martin, as candidates to fill tho vacant seat on tho Mount Wellington Bond Board. The poll will bo taken at tho sumo placo on Wednesday next,

A mooting of shareholders of the KaiparaSteamshipCompuiiy, in liquidation, was hold yestorday afternoon for the pur pose of winding up the Company. Tho statement of accounts showed that tho balanco on hand nt August, 1883, was L4l 9s ; freight and passenger receipts, [/J7-I7 2S ; proceeds of sale of City of Cork nnd Lily, L 1462 lGs; proceeds of salo of Kaipara steamers plant, book debts, &c,, LGOOS ; total, L 10,2._ 17s. By bank over draft, coal, interest, 4c, L 7025 12s 7d ; disbursements for working expenses, and for printing, advertising, Sec, L 2031 -Is 5d ; total, L 10,250 J 7s. It wns decidctl to adopt tho statement, and it was also resolved to leave tho books, etc., »f the Company in the hands of Mr Lodder. A vote of thanks wns accorded to the liquidator.

Several accidents occurred yesterday. Tho first happened to Joseph Coylc, at- Otahuhu. Tho unfortunuto man was work ing in a quarry at Mount Roskill, when a large stone rolled upon him, severely in juring his hand. Dr. Tennent attended to the wounded hand, and it is going on favourably, A break down of ono of Messrs Warnock's drays attracted a crowd in Hobson-street yesterday, about tlireo o'clock. The dray wns laden with coal, and the axle-tree snapped. Tho carter was riding on tho shaft at tho time, and boing young and aotivo, leaped off and escaped without injury, The coal was shipped to another dray, and the crowd dispersed.

Tho quarterly meeting of the Excelsior Lodge No. 2, N.Z.0.G.T., was held in tho Franklin Road School-room last ovoning. The usual reports of the officors wero sub mitted, which showed the Lodgo to be in a most flourishing condition. This Lodgo now ranks among the foremost in tho town, and promises to greatly increaso both in numbers and finance Tho following wero installod as officors for tho forth coming quarter by Bro. Andorson, W.L.D., assisted by Bro, Sodgowick as 1.5., and Bro. Flannery as I.M. : —

W.C.T., Bro. Jenkins; W.V.T., Sis. Rule (re-oleeted); W.S., Bro. Maokio; W.A.S., Sis. Andorson; W.E.S., Bro. Sponcer (re-elected); W.T., Sis. Cork (re elected) ; W.C., Bro. Bolsham (ro-elected); W.M., Bro. Martin ; W.1.G., Bro. Cork (re elected); W.0.G., Bro. Ford ; W.R.H.S., Sis. Bucket; W.L.H S., Sis. French; P.W.C.T., Bro. Rule. The usual address having been given by the nowly-olcctcd W.C.T., a vote of thanks was passed to tho retiring officers, and tho meeting then closed.

To tho Editor: Sir, —To tho great sur prise of tho generality of tho householders residing in tho important artery which loads from Karangahapo Road to tho new Hobson-streot wharf, a docision would ap pear to have beon arrived at by tho City Council to tako up all tho trees (only planted three or four years ago), on the ground that tho street is not wirlo enough for tlio traffic. A moro absurd decision can hardly be imaginod by any sano poison,. The object in planting thoso tree's was undoubtedly to afford an agree able shade during summer heat, as well as a protection when tho trees havo attained their growth from tho trying winds which afflict this city at suoh f requemt intervals during the entire yoar, I cannot imagine that tho inhabitants of "Pitt-streot and Hobson-street have been consulted on the subject; in fact, I am informed that the general opinion of tho residents is against tho removal of the trees, but that the Council are doing it in consequence of a memorial, signed by a few individuals, having been presented to thorn, Surely public opinion, expressed in time, will induce tho Council to rescind their resolution, I hope it will, and this letter will notiave been written in vain.— I am, etc., Observer.

We understand that the Minister of Public Works has otlicially informed the City Council that tho Government will.con tribute £500 towards tlio improvement of the Hospital drainage through Stanloy strcct to tho bay.

Tho funeral of Mrs French, wife of Mr Alexander French, was largely attended at Mount Albert yesterday afternoon. De ceased was a lady of exemplary habits, both as a wife and mother, had lived in tho neighbourhood for many years, and was much respected by all who know her per sonally.

Tho rehearsals for tlio annual Masonic performance which takes placo at tho Theatre Royal this day waok aro progress ing satisfactorily, and tho pioccs chosen for representation aro in every way suitablo for an amateur club. Wo aro informed that tho ladies (gonorally speaking tho weakest point in amateur performances) aro the best porformers in our city.

A recognition soireo te wolcome the Rev. Thomas Adams as pnstor of tho Nowton Congregational Church, Edinburgh-street, will bo hold this evening, opening with a tftt meeting. Mi J. C. Firth will occupy the chair, and Revs. T. McKenzio Eraser, A. Reid, W. E. Rico, J, Robertson, \V. J. Millar, and other friends will deliver ad dresses. Inspector Coldie points out to the Council in his fortnightly health report, tlio ad visability of a special vohiclo being obtained ,for tho conveyance of pationts to the Hospital, as in a roeotit case of scarlet fever the patient was taken hither in ono of tlio public hackney carriages. It is re ported that tho Hospital authorities aro having a vohiclo constructed at Cousins and Atkins even now for the purpose in dicated.

Several other charges will bo brought against tho young man (leorgo Bfandis on his release from gaol.

Mr Edwin Carr delivered an instructive lecture in tho Eden Hall lust night, tn a fair aiidienco, on "Hindrances to Faith." It was ono of tho best locturcs of tho sories. At its closo a fow questions were askod and answorcd.

Last week tho City Council in response to a petition decided to remove the trees from Hobson and Pitt-streets. Another petition from residents in tho samo thoroughfares praying tho Council to allow tho trees to remain will bo presented to night. It is to bo hoped that tho Council will not uproot tlio trees, as they certainly improvo vastly tho appcarunco of tho streets without causing any incoiivonieii.o worth speaking of.

Wellington-street scorns at last to bo linished. It appears a lirst-class job, and should give ontiro satisfaction to everybody but tho contractor, who says ho lost £800 on the job.

A consignment of now books to the valuo of l' 1-0 has arrived for tho Free Library by the lonic.

The monthly inspection of tho City Guards was held Inst evening in tho Drill shed. Tho only oliici-r present was Lieut. Osborne, who, with Lieut. Lucas, of tho Thames Rangers, went through thoir ex amination. Tho inspecting ollicors wero Major Shepherd, Captains LoKoy ond Mnlion. Tho two ollicors under examina tion acquitted themselves with perfect satis faction. At the closo of tho pnrado, tho band performed sovoral selections of music, to tho intense delight of tho listeners.

The total registered canine population of the borough of Auckland is DIM. Drastic measures contimio to be taken with thoso unfortunate dogs who for somo reason or another have not attained the liberty which tlio collar franchise confers.

At tho quarterly mooting of the David Livingstone Lodge, 1.0. C.T., held on Wed nesday, the (ith inst., tho following ollicors wore duly installed for the ensuing year by tho D.U.W.C.T. Pro. W. W. Lepino, as sisted by Sis. Collins, 1.M., nnd liro. White, I.D.M. .-.V.0.T., Bro. Sanders ; W.V.T., Sis. A. Longbottom ; W.A.S., Bro. tflark ; W.S., Bro. 11. Soarlo; W.T., Sis. Long. butt 'in, sour. ; W.F S., Bro. 11. C. Senile ; W.Chnp., Bro. Blackwood ; W.D.M., Sis. Gibb; W.M.,'Sis. S. Longbottom; W.1.G., Bro. I'lai'k ;W. Sent,, Bro. Rhodes; W.11.U.5., Sis. I'ieton ; W.L.H.S., Sis. Kennedy. Tlio Secretary's nnd Treasurer's reports were brought up nnd adopted. These reports showed that tho Lodge had made good progress during the past year, nnd that numerically nnd financially it is healthy and vigorous, Tho remainder of the ovoning wus devoted to literature and song, closing in a right loyal manner.

It may be of interest lo tho contributors of threepenny pieces at the sacred concoct to learn that tho promoters of tho affair so highly appreciated their generosity that thoy havo resolved to porpct unto its remem brance. With that object in viow a mimbor of thoso diminutivo coins have beon gilded and mounted with attached ribbon and clasps in tlio stylo of medals. Mows Knight Aston and George Dean wore one each of them during tho performance of tiro opera last night, and a third has been graciously bestowed upon Mr .1. Edwards. Tho medals aro now in great request.

We iikmkvk that if every one would use Hop Bitters freely thcro would bo much less sickness nml misery in the world, and people are fnsl finding this out, whole families keeping well at ii trilling cost by its uso. We mlvlso all to try It. Head.

SCINTILLATIONS.

I'aki.iambnt opened to-dtiv. Wnngnnui is to hnvo a oicyolo Club, Nothing in tho theatres. The llmemoa reached Wellington last night. Dr. Sehwarlzbuch is on a visit to Wan ganui. A Maori prisoner escaped on Monday iii<_rht from Tnuranga Gaol. Dr. Talmngo, of Brooklyn, has £2,-100 a year.

Onehunga Ironworks plant is rapidly ar riving and being fitted up. Wellington rumour says tho Yogel fever is abating.

David Kiiiniburgli, a very old resident of Wellington, died thero yesterday.

Druids' procession at Timaru last night, followed by concert and ball.

According to a Tarannki pupil tcachor, "Northern Hemisphere consists of more than two-thirds of the globe." .leiinio Loo has been doing extremely well in Brisbane. She opons next in Sydney,

A bushman named .100 Stilt died very suddenly on Su..dny near Muhttrungi.

Over SO deferred payment settiers in Otago aro in arrears, and cancellation is threatened.

"Give it lip, old girl," "Joi'k it out," &c, are recent samples of how tho Mel bourne " j^od.s " greeted tho appearanco of Jeffreys Lewis on the stugo. .Modern Mexican history is nico reading, though slightly confused. In fifty-six years there havo been iifty-four presidents, ono regoncy, and one emperor. No need to ask what we should do with our girls. Tho other day, a man who was unable to pay his way assigned as a reason "Marriago of two daughters who had principally supported him !" The trade of tho island of St. Holona has been almost extinguished sinco tho opening of the Suoz Canal.

A man, namo unknown, has boon killed at Ngauranga, Wellington, by a fall from his horso.

Adelaide Government proposo extending a now lino from Potorsburgh to the Carrier ranges, 150 miles, at a cost of £3,500 per mile.

The largest telescopes in the world at present are in tho United States, but tho Russian Government aro determined to tako tho lead with ono to bo 45 foet in length.

" Boys, can you tell me anything remark able in tlio life of Moses?" asked a Sabbath school teacher. " Yes, sir," shoutod one of the boys, " ho broke all the commandments at once."

Thames Salvationists aro a lively lot. One of their number wrote recently to a local paper, alluding to a clergyman of the town as "Splay-footed Neil,"and an amateur in tho religious field as "that prophetic old fraud, Bill Wood."

Horo are a few spocimons of tho spoiling powers of Tarnnalu pupil-teachers : —" Pre cipited," " south -westardly," "poisoned gasses," "bannanas," "pnssag," "bight," " teleghram."

Tho " Herald" publishes a canard to tho offoct that Sir George Grey is anxious to get tho post of Agent-General, and says that his disposal in that fashion would facilitate a coalition.

A building for purposes of astronomicul observation is to bo erected in the Domain for MrC. W. Adams, the Government Geo dotical Surveyor, on the site used by tho American Tuansit of Venus party a year

" Brother George," of Palmcvston North, is disowned, "Truth" says—"Miss Francis Pawer Cobbo begs mo to say that sho bolioves tho advertisement in the "agony" column of the "Times" which we copied in last week's issue refers to a Eorson of the same name who died in ondon a fow years ago.. Miss Cobbo has no "brother George," and her late father, Charles Cobbe, of Newbridge, D.L., left the army early and never, reached a higher grade than he bore at Assayo—a lieutenant in the 19th Drag- ons."

THE SMALL-POX SCARE.

THE WAIHORA.

Timid! is very littlo now to record respect ing tho Waihora and her passengers in quarantine. Mr O. Mays loft by the Customs launch on the usual visit this afternoon, and tho Union Company will dospatch a steamor to Mo.uibi to-morrow morning with supplies. We understand that tho passengers had not gone ashore to-day, but that thoy would do so very soon, tho buildings having been cleaned and the Union Company having given instructions that bedding, provisions, and cooking utensils and attendants should bo sent ashore with tho passongers.

THE CASE AT NAPIER.

(BY TELKORAPH.— I'REHa ASSOCIATION.)

NAPirn, this day,

At a mooting of tho Board of Health last night, a letter was road from Dr. Jackson at tho Quarantine Station, to tlieoli'oct that the pationt was progressing favourably. The Mayor said it was intended to release tho Hospital from quarantine as soon as it was known that all the persons there had been vaecinatod successfully. Tlio Mayor read tho following telegram from tho Premier:—" Major Atkinson sends you his best thanks for tho prompt aud very judicious steps you have taken in tho matter of tho small-pox pationt, and hopes that tho result may bo as suc cessful as they deserve. Ho has no sugges tion to mako where everything possible seems to have beon done."

THE GROUNDING OF THE HAWEA.

Sho Still Remains on tho Sandbank.

Eitokts to got thoHawoa oil on last night's tidu wore again without success. Tho s.s. Manukau was alongside to render assist ance, but tho vessel did not float by a foot, therefore tho Manukau continued her trip This morning tho Northern Company's stc'amors Douglas and Argylo wont down to assist in towing hor astern, but thoy wore iinublo to movo her. Arrangements havo now been made with tho Northern Company to placo the s.s. Douglas at her disposal to remove tho cargo and thus lighten her, when Captain llaiisby hopes to get oil' to-night.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT ONE HUNGA.

AN inquest on tho body of John Barlow, who was killed at Bird Grove on Monday night lust under circumstances previously related, was hold at Mr Reay's house yesterday afternoon, beforo Dr. Philson, coroner, and a jury. Mr J. Jenkins was chosen foreman. Joseph Douglas, driver of tho cart with which tho deceased's hor. o tamo into collision, gave evidence as to tho naerowness of tho road. Ho was entering tlio narrow part ut a walking pace, .mil sow two per. oris on horseback coming towards him at a gallop. He pulled in closo on the left-hand sidowhonhosawthatonowas a mini and tho other a woman. Tho female kept well over to tho right-hand side, but the man rode right into tlio dray. Tho end of tlio spar next to him struck him or tho horse, ho could not say which, and ho fell from tho animal to tho ground, alongside tho dray, on tlio left-hand side, between the cart and tho wall. Ho had no timo to call out to them, thoy camo down so quickly. He stopped his horsoß nnd called out to his mate, John Keith, who was driving a spring cart behind him. Thoy found docoased lying on his back on tho road. Ho was (lend. Evidence was also givon by Dr. Coom, John Koiih (carter), nnd Valentino Christian, who deposed seeing tho deceased iitul his companion galloping through tho narrow part of the road. Agnos Wybar stated that she had known deceasod for about a week. On Monday ovoning last went from Auckland with deceased on horseback for n rido to Onehunga. Thoy had no drink beforo starting. Thoy reached Onehunga about soven o'clock, and stopped at tho Manukau Hotel. Sho did not dismount, but deceased brought her out a glass of wine. Did not know if deceased had anything to drink. Ho remounted, nnd thoy started for town about live minutes past .evon o'clock. Both wero perfectly sober, and rode at a canter. Deceased did not appear to her to bo a good horseman, and constantly took tho wrong side of tho-rood. Asgthey woro descending the hill at tho hedge, sho saw a dray loaded with long polos coming towards them. Tho dray was right in the middle of tho road. She called out to deceasod that ho was on tho wrong side of tho road, and told him to follow her, but ho did not do so, and immediately aftorwards sho heard a crash. Sho did not see deceased tumble, and heard no cry frm him. It took her two or tlireo minutes to pull hor horso up, and her com panion's horso cantered past hor. Sho re turned, nnd saw deceased lying apparently dead. Sho noticed that ono spar was not straight on the dray. On approaching tho cart sho saw tho driver pull his horses to tho left. Tho jury, of terconsidoringthoovidenco, brought in a verdict as follows :—" That the deceased, Joshua Barlow, was accident ally killed by coming in contact with a dray at Bird Grove Bridge, Epsom," and thoy added a rider a. follows : " Tho jury recom mend that tho Government bo requested to widen tho Bird Grove Bridgo, as it is in a dangerous condition."

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.-This Day.

(Beforo H. G. Soth Smith, Esq , KM,)

UNDEFENDED CASES,

Judgment went by default for tlso plain tilt's in tho following casos:— P. Quick v. A, E. Cosgrave, L 24 ss; Jas. Loomb v. Thos. Doyle L 4 17 0; C. de L'oau v. Jacob Grossman, L 5 12s: John King v. Josh Jonos, L 26 ss; D. H. Mc- Konzio v. Owen Griffiths, L 7 14s; W. B. Meldrum v. Mrs Flynn, L 3 8s Od; Lowis Moses v. Thomas Aitkon and Alex ander Wright, L 9 10s; John Dolaney v. Bray Bros., L 9; W. ond J. Hodgson v. J. C. Mateon, L 7 19s 2d ; L. Moses v. Flanaghan and Harris, Ll3 ; W. D. Veale v. E. and J. Cox, L 42 Ss ; A. O. Snlvigny v. Julia Mitcholl and Alice Garrick, L 3 ; Holland and Butler v. J. Morrcock, Ll7 15s.

BDJOt/RNED,

W. S. Whitloy v, W. J. Callaghan, L 4 5s Cd ) William Kattray v, T. Hawko, L 9 16s 9d; Auckland Dairy Company v, J. R. Turnbull, LI 8s lOd; A. C. Coster v. Robertson, LI Is 7d ; Same v, Elkington, L 4 15s Id; A, Bowring v. John Sinclair, LIS Is Od ; Union S, and D. Co. v. J, E, Haliday, Ll6 3s lOd ; C. F. Kretsohmar v. A. Vollbracht, L 22 17s 6d : C. J. Toxward v. Same, L4B 13s ;. D. Erskino v. Same, LU 19sGd; W, Stimpson v.Samo,Ll2os6d; D, A. Main v. I. McKonzio, L 9 3s 4d; A, O. Cartor v. John McKonzio, L 2 10s 2d; Mansfield and Sons v. Angelo.and others, LG 10s.

JUWIMKNT SUMMONS CASES,

Jas. Rao v. F. O. Fisher.—Claim, L4l 9s, —Tho debtor having been examined, an ordor was made upon him for payment at the rate of L 7 per month j in default, ono months' imprisonment. William Healy v. W. Patterson.—Claim, U 0s 3d.—Paymont ordorod by two equal monthly instalments; in default, 7 days' imprisonment. John Erickson v. Wm. Cottingham.— Claim, L3O 18s—Order made for payment at rate of 10s per week; in default, ono month's imprisonment, W. F. Hull v.Edward Perkins,.—Claim LIB 4s.—Payment ordered forthwith; in default, one month's imprisonment. John Wilson v. Wm. Wallace,—Claim, L 3 4s.— Ordered to pay at. the rate of 5s por week ; in default, five days' imprisonment. A. O. Cartor v. F. Last.—Claim, L 5 4s Id.—Ordered to pay on or before 18th Sep tember ; in dofanlt, five days' knprison mont. •

DEFENDED CASE,

John Smyth v. Charles Wood.—Claim, £19 10s.—Mr Campbell for plaintiff, and Mr Napior for defendant.—The claim was made in respoct of 30,000 shingles which the plaintiff hnd sold to the defendant at 13s per thousand.— Tho defence was that tho shingles had boon left at defendant's yard merely in order that he should endeavour to effect their sale. He had, h iwever, or-ly managed to dispose of 5,000, and tho plaintiff was at liberty to remove the remaining 25,001', His Worship held the sale to de fendant to have been proved, and thorefoie gavo judgment for tho plaintiff for £18 2s Od.

(Left Sitting,)

CABLEGRAMS.

[_JV OABLK.-001'YBIOIIT.J

(Kecoived August 7—1.10 p.m.) Prospects of tbe Federation Bill,

London, August C—The Marquis of Salisbury declines to hurry so momentous a measure as tho Federation Enabling Bill without first duly considering its effect. Mr Parnell privately advocates that the Irish membors should combine with the Government in forcing the measure through the Honso immediately.

Canada and Cuba.

The Hon. Sir CharlosTuppor, High Com missioner of Canada, is negotiating for a commercial reciprocity between Canada and Cuba.

War In China,

Hongkong, August s.—lt is reported that Admiral.Courbet has seized the harbour of Kelung, on tho island of Formosa, and also has taken possession of tho cool mines in tho vicinity.

Cholera In Franco and Italy,

Paris, August s.—Tlio cholera epidemic has diminished considerably in this coun try during tho last fow days. Tho disease, however, is spreading in several parts of Italy. Tho Franohlso Bill. In the Honso of Lords, Earl Granville in timated that tho Franchise Bill in its present form would be introduced at the autumn session of Parliament.

Prince George of Wales was invested yes torday with tho Order of the Garter.

Tho Federation Conference will re assemble in tho autumn. Tho leaders of tho Tory party aro not opposed to the principle of tho Federation Enabling Bill, but they demand time for a full discussion of the question. The Congress hnvo re ferred the revision of tho Bill to a com mittee

The French Congress Committee advise that one-fifth of tho recidivistos bo sont to New Caledonia, and that for tho first year tho number lie limited to 1,000. Tho "Times" says tho colonials will not be satisfied with the suggestions. Sydney, Wednesday. -Tho discussion on tho Land Bill is still proceeding in tho Legislative "Assembly. Tho proceedings are at times somewhat disorderly, and Mi- Taylor bus been suspended for disobeying the chair.

AUCKLAND RAILWAY STATION.

(BY TKLEORAPIL-SPECIAL ItEPORTEH.)

Wkixi-'cton', this day. O.N- examining the plans of the Auckland Railway Station, I find that a number of necessary additions, bucli as station-master's house, Ice, which wero by an oversight omitted, are now being provided for. Various additions and improvements on tho Kuipara railway, removing incon veniences which havo obstructed tho work ing of the lino and giving extra facilities to settlors, aro also being provided for by direction of Mr Mitchelson.

THE SOUDAN REBELLION.

THE GORDON RELIEF EXPEDITION.

(BY CAULK -COI'YRIOHT.)

London-, August 0. In tho House of Commons last night, on the motion of Hie Premier, a sum of £1100,000 was voted _o defray the oxperises of an English expedition to the Soudan, if such bo necessary, and on tho understand ing that tho money would not be omployed unless rcquirod for that purpose

Osman Digua to bo Rolnforced. El Muhdi has ordered a body of fifty thousand strong to reinforce Osman Digna.

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Beforo His • Worship tho Mayor and G. P. Pierce, Esq., J.P.'s.)

l.KttNK.—Tlireo mon wero punished fortius oflenco—Wm. Bibby, Co or 14 days ; Wm. Neenan remanded for a weok.

VAORANoy.—Mary Ann Aloxandor was charged under tho Vagrant Act with begging irf£io Manukau Bond,—Constable Hobson (T^j evidence. Ho observed tho old woman .-topping and following porsons. Several persons gave her money.—Prisoner said sho took in babies to nurse.— Tho Bonch believed prisoner would be bettor cared for in Mount Eden, and sentenced her to 0 months' imprisonment.

Honry Woods was charged with having no visible means, and pleaded guilty—Ser geant White recounted a fow of the inci dents in prisoner's career. Ho would not work, but lived upon charity, and on one occasion n tiro occurred at Mount Eden whoro prisoner had boon sleoping.—Nino months' imprisonment.

Against the By-laws. — Wm. Hooker and John Morrison, on the evidence of Con stable Lamb, wero charged with placing bags of rice on tho pavement in front of their grocery store Tho foreman pleaded ffuiity : 20s and costs. —Robert Brown, eaviiig horso and cart unattended in Ponsonby Road: 10s and costs.—Joseph Hown-.d, two straying cows in Stan loy - street : 20s and costs. — Georgo MeCnslin, 3 cows in Hopotown-streot. Mrs MeCnslin, being tho owner of tho cows, ap peared in lieu of Georgo, and pleaded guilty. Sergeant White said a promise had been made on the last occasion that they woro to bo sold : 20s and costs.—The charge against James Anderson, who had docampea sinco the summons had boon served, wns withdrawn.

FoiU-iNii and Uttki-im.!,— Charles Palmor was again brought up on a charge of utter ing valueless cheques, with intent to do fraud.—Sergeant White conducted the case for the prosecution.—Prisoner was undo fonded.—George W. King, of tho firm of Dunnlngbam and King, hotolkeepers, deposed that ho know the prisonor Palmer. He had, on soveral occasions, boarded at the Governor Browne Hotel. Ho left about tho 30th July (Wednesday). Gave him his account, and he handed in a cheque for £10, which ho said he had received from hisfather. Know prisoner's father ; believed ho was io good circumstances; prisoner's bill amounted to £2 lis : gave him tho balance, £7 9s ; presented i lie cheque at tho National Bank for payment; It was returned, "signature unknown ; " was not acquainted with the handwriting of Mr Jamos Palmer, prisoner's f ilher. —Henry W. Lawson, clerk in the National Bank, doposed that the cheque was prosentod on the Slst instant; it was not honoured, no account in tho name of James Palmer. Did not know tho prisoner. Tho blank cheque was taken from tho chequo-book of Edward Perkins.—Detec tive Walkor doposod to arresting prisoner on this charge. Ho said, " Yes, I did it while on the drink." Tho block in the book at tho Nevada Hotel corresponded with tho number on tho cheque. Mr Perkins. kept his ohoque-book in an open drawer in the parlour. Anyone could got it. Witness walked in and inspectod it.— Sergeant White said he did not press Mr Palmer to come to Court, as it would cause him great pain. Ths sergeant pro ceeded to say that in consequence of the severe illness of Mr Potter, who wassufl'cring with the neuralgia through waiting in the Court passages nearly four days, and who was the principal witness in" the second charge, ho must ask for a remand.-His Worship consented to tako it on Tuesday next.

This was all the business,

TELEGRAMS.

Wanganul Harbour Board,

WANfIANtn, this day.—At tho Harbour Board meeting yesterday, a resolution was passed re adjusting representation on tho basis of rateable value of towns and counties in the harbour district. A committeo was proposed to draft a bill giving tho resolution effect, — Mr Ballanco, M.H.R., to have chargo of the bill.

Dunedin, this day.—Mrs Burn has re signed the Principal-hip of tho Girls' High Sohool, and is suoceoded by Mr Wilson, of tho Boys' School,

THEATRICAL ELOPEMENT.

A Married Actress Bolts with a Pianist.

(IIV TEM-liKAl'It —OWN COJIHESI'ONDUNT.)

Dunedin, this day. Some sensation has been caused here by a theatrical scandal, the parties to which are Mrs James South, nit Edith Pender, and Hurcour. Lee, the well-known pianist. The husband of tho former has just returned from Melbourne to play Captain Corcoran with Emilo Melville's Opera Company. On tho evening of July 19, Mrs South pleaded illness, and that she was therefore unable to accompany her husband to the theatre. The latter, on returning to his hotel, was told that his wifo had loft tho place with most of his wardrobe and other property. On the dressing table was tlio following noto:—

" Dear Jim.—l'm off. After what has happened between Leo and myself, I cannot livo with you any longer. Good-byo ; good luck !— Edith."

Soino little time before, his suspicions had been aroused by tho receipt of tho following anonymous letter :— " Dkah South,—You will bo surprised to receive this letter from a poison unknown, but lama brother actor. Lee is too friendly with your wife I was one of the company, and saw for myself. They aro now pre paring to leave for San Francisco as soon as the present engagement is up. The best thing you can do is to give Lee a good horsewhipping. Jle is a great coward. I don't care for my name to bo mixed up in tho affair, as I may have to travel in tho same company again as Lee, or I would speak myself to you. I hope to hear of Lee getting it hot from you.—(Signed) Myself a Hu.IiANU."

Previous to this South had taxed his wife with infidelity, but she indignantly denied it. He also wrote to Leo, who replied stat ing that ho had merely advanced Mrs Souths passage money to America, where sho was to accompany the Turners. Ho refused tho injured husband an interview, because tho latter had threatened his life. Lee in turn threatened to take proceedings against South. Tho hitter endeavoured to trace tho whereabouts of the pair, and only got on their trail in time to sec them steam ing down the Yarra on board of tho Wai hora. Ho was advised that he would be unablo to put tho law in motion, as he could not prove that Leo had pretended any ownership over tho articles taken away. The pair aro believed to bo either at Christ church or Dunedin, waiting a chance of proceeding to America. South mado his lirst appearance on the stage in Dunedin as a member of Clarence Holt's Company. He married Miss Pender at Toivnsville in October, 18S0, and the pair have since travelled through Australia at the head of an Opera Company. South is well-known to the profession in this colony.

NEW ZEALAND REFRIGERAT ING COMPANY.

[BY TELKII-tAI'H.—PRESS ASSOCIATION],

DusKDi-T, Wednesday. At tho annual meeting to-day of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company tho report nndbaluncc-wheet were adopted, tho dividend being ten per cent. The Chairman said tho Company had no liabilities of any kind, nnd had mado no losses during tho year what ever. They had at the commencement of tho year a mortgage of £0,000, which thoy had now wiped oil', and they were entirely free of debt of any kind. Tho actual ex pense of the management was not £1,000 during the year. They had added a new freezing machine to tho works, increased their storing capt.eity to 10,000 carcases, and enlarged the slaughtering houses, en abling them to kill 500 or 000 sheep a day. Works woro being established about two miles north of Oamaru, and tho total exjien dituro in connection with them would be a little under t'4.000. They had an immediate prospect of getting a return on tho outlay by means of the steamer .vhich had been chartered by Mr Reid, of Blderslie. It had been chartered for three years, and would take away probably 40,000 sheep a year. It would bo observed that the directors proposed to refund to shippers of sheep .Id a head on account of charges. Thoy thought that, seeing they had a reason able surplus, it was onlyfair that the shipper should got back a portion of the charges. He thought that there was a brighter day in storo for frozen mutton. The following motion was carried:—"That it be an instruction to Mr Bigg, as delegate to tho Conference, that every effort must be mndo to get a substantial reduction on freight next year, or otherwise it is very doubtful whether guarantees will be got from shareholders." One or two large shippers expressed a strong wish to see a reduction in the charges—such as freight, insurance, 4c.—and said they would not guarantee shipments for next year unless such reductions wero made.

HON. MR DICK'S SEAT IN THE CABINET.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORIU-SI'OXDENT),

Wellington, this day. The "Post" to-night says:—"Hon. Mr Dick's retention of offico as Colonial Secretary for a fortnight after he was re jected by the electors of Dunedin, and therefore was no longor a member of Parlia ment, seems to havo excited somo attention in Auckland. Tho question is one of some interest, and appears to tie very little understood. As a matter of fact, the Cabinet hero, as in England, is a body unknown to the law. The Executivo Council is, on the contrary, distinctly recognised by law, and the Governor in h:'s commission is empowered to appoint members of it subject to the provisions of any law which tho colonial Legislature may enact on tho subject. As a matter of fact we believe that no Act has been passed defining the qualification for a seat in the Executive Council, and for many years a Mr Swninson, an ex.-Attorney- General, who resided in Auckland, retained the position of a member of the Executive Counci', and used to act in that capacity when tho Governor happened to bo in Auckland and a difficulty was experienced in getting a quorum of the Council. The Executive Council is in the colony some thing like what tho Privy Council is at Home. All Cabinet Ministers must bo members of tho Executive Council, but all members of the Executive Council noed not bo Cabinet Ministers, nor oven hold a seat in either branch of the Legisla ture. This law hero provides that not more than a certain number of members of either House shall bo Ministers, but it docs not, strange to say, provide that all Ministers must be members of ono Chamber or the other. That they should bo so is merely an unwritten law based on precedent and analogy. Mr Dick's position, therefore, has during the last fortnight been, wo bolieve, a strictly legal ono, but it has nevertheless been a violation of constitu tional practice, and has established a most undesirable precedent. Undor tho ciroumstances no great harm has been done, but it is oasy to imagine circum stances when serious wrong might hnvo ensued. Eor instance :If the general elec tions had taken placo at the end of a regular session, when the new Parliament would not meot for four or five months, Mr Dick might have retained office during the whole of that timo just as he has retained it for the past fortnight, This, although highly improper and unconstitutional, would havo been, we believe, strictly legal. It is, however, un likely that the Government would have eonsonted to such a proceeding, and wo are rather surprised thai; His Excellency should have consented to retain Mi- Dick as one of his advisers for even a day* after he was excluded from the Legislature. It is certainly one of the duties of the Crown to assert the constitutional rights of the peoplo in a caso like this, and to absolutely refuse to accopt advice from a person not holding a seat in the Le .sla turc, and consequently not responsible to Parliament for tho advico given. Tho Go vornor would havo beon quite justified in re fusing to rocognise Mr Dick as being in any way a Minister, and to have demanded from Major Atkinson as Premier that somo responsible person should bo placed in chargo of tho portfo'ios hold by the Colonial Secretary, When Parliament meets, no doubt a good deal more will bo heard of this matter, and probably tho law will bo amended so" as to prevent any ill consequences arising in tho future from the exceedingly undesirable precedent now es tablished in the case of Mr Dick."

OPERA HOUSE.-"LA FILLE DE MADAME ANGOT."

Lococq's engaging comic opora of this name was produced last night to a crowded house, and in view of tho fact that tho Company had had only ono rehearsal, coupled with the further circumstance that they had never essayed the work before, their success in it was really surprising. After such an explanation shortcomings fade into utter in significance. Tho opera was well mounted and tho'' business " was very fair. There was one serious drawback, however, in tho fact that Miss Ivanova was thoroughly indisposed Still with her characteristic fortitude the lady bravely kept faith with her audience and went through the first act successfully enough to excite no general remark as to her ill-health. In tho closing situation however, just as the curtain was about to descend, she succumbed to the strain she had beon sustaining, and fainted upon tho stage. Her re-appearance in the second act was greeted with a round of cordial and sympathetic applause, and she carried herself through it unfalteringly and well. When the time for her entrance in the third act arrived, Mr Dean came for ward and announced that sho had again fainted, and therefore claimed the indul . gence of the audience on her behalf. The curtain was then lowered, and the audience departed, evidently more concerned at tho illness of the courageous prima donna than at the abrupt abbrevia tion of the performance w.iich it en tailed. Miss Ivanova has made herself a great favourite in Auckland, and she may count upon a cordial reception whenever she returns. So, too, Mr Knight Aston, the popu lar leading tenor. Last night he appeared as Ango Pitou, a part that he has played through England and America with Soldene, and acquitted himself, both' in singing and action, with decided success. Miss Leaf produced a very favourable im pression in her assumption of the rOle of Madame Lange, and her appearance with Miss Ivanova in tho celebrated quarrel duct was looked forward to with on ea»or anticipation whose realisation was withheld by the unavoidable curtailment of the opera Mr George Dean, as Trenitz, tho dancing master, astonished even his admirers by the effectiveness with which ho filled, at very short notice, such an exacting rfile in the way of action. Ho was extremely vola tile and amusing, and his impromptu "gag" in introducing guests to the bull-room by such names as "The wife of tho gentleman of the three pennies" (a reference to tho sacred concert), *' The wife of the Chairman of the 10 o'clock Licensing Committee," " The Marchioness of Onohunga,"&e, &&, did not fail to bring down tho "house." Mr Wentworth care fully impersonated Larivaudiere, and the other parts wero more or less satisfactorily taken. The orchestra, under M. Juncker's able conduct, was, as it always has been, thoroughly reliable. It is as well organised a corps of skilful musicians as would befound with any itinerant Opera Company, and M. Juncker as conductor is the right man in the right placo. The season has now ended, and the Company leave to-morrow night by the steamer Omapew direct for Wellington, where they open on' Monday night for a season of six nights. They have made themselves very popular in Auckland, and tako with them the best wishes of the people for their success elsowhere A word of vale dictory praise is duo to Mr Geo. Dean for tho excellent manner in which tho various operas of tho Company's repertoire havo been staged under his direction, and to Mr Hallifax, tho agent, for tho invariable courtesy and attontion which both pretjs and public have experienced at his hands.

PROPOSED ALTERATIONS IN THE EDUCATION ACT.

(BY TELKC.RAI-lI—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Dunedin, this day. At a conforonco last night of the Dunedin . and Suburban School Committees, resolu tions wero carried for the abolition of cumulativo voting; for tho alteration of the compulsory clause in tho direction of; compelling every child of school age re siding in a school district to attend a school forty - five days each quarter ; that the Education Department should appoint truant officers charged with the duty of enforcing the compulsory clauses ; that it is desirable that the powers of com mittees should bo enlarged, especially in connection with the appointment of teachers; that tho present syllabus is ex cessive and requires immediate revision/, that history and geography should bo ex cluded as fair subjects in the standards.

SUPREME COURT.-Civil Sessions.

Yesterday (Continued)

(Beforo His Honor Mr Justice Gillies.) John London v. James Sullivan. Action for taking of accounts and re-convey ance of land. Mr Cave for the plaintiff, Mr A. E. Whitaker for tho defendant.

Tho plaintiff sought a decree for the-re demption of tho Railway Terminus Hotel, in Onohunga, which has been in possession. - of the defendant since tho 18th Juno, 1873. On that dato plaintiff, in consideration of . an advance of £800 from defend ant, conveyed to him the prop erty in question, subject to the covenant providing that within two years j from July, 1573, it should be in the power 1 of plaintiff, upon three months' notice, to A repay the advance of £'800 without interest, and get back his property without in- - cumbrance, occupation being accepted .y defendant in lieu of interest.- The deed contained tho further proviso that it should" be lawful for Sullivan at any time after thq expiry of tho said term of two years to give to Lundon three months' notice demanding payment of the raonoys due, and if Lundon should fail to pay the same within the three months, that then tho hotel and': premises should bo the property of Sulli- 1 van, free from all equity of redemption. . Sullivan held possession up till the 28th " January, 1878, when he notified Lundon that ho required payment; within three months. The notice was not complied with in the prescribed m time, but on the sth July of tho same year Lundon tendered Sullivan £1,000 for.. the release of the property. The latter re fused the offer, asd claimed the property by i 11 virtue of the proviso in the deed ; hence the present proceedings. A question was raised . iv banco last week as to whether the deed-' .. was a mortgage or a conditional conveyance. ■ 9 Yesterday the defendant's counsel admitted it was a mortgage, so that the only point to '.':■ be decided was as to the terms of tho re- . demption decree. Tho plaintiff contended that there should be an occupation writ from tho date of tho tender; while " tho defendant clnimed that there should bo rent on one side and no interest on the other. — His Honor thought that, although it might bo a hard ship that tho plaintiff should have had no I rent, still there had been delay in the prose cution of his suit, and therefore it would be equitable to adhere to tho original agree ment. Ho therefoio directed an account to bo taken of what is duo to the defendant; £ for principal, and decreed that, upon pay mont of the amount found duo, the defend ant should reconvey and give up possession ' of tho property to the plaintiff. M Brown _s Barrett v. Stevenson. Claim, £334 10s 9d, on an unpaid pro-. ■'; missory note for goods sold.—Mr E. Hesketh appeared for tho plaintiffs.—lt was stated in evidence that defendant ' went to plaintiffs' oflice,'and demanded the . . return of a retired promissory noto for £250, •: • and the unpaid P.N. forming the subject of M action as well as somo other notes. Mr '". Brown gavo defendant tho £250 note, and, laying the other on his office table, turned his back to call his clerk to get the other g notes back. On his return he missed tho ncto, and asked Stevenson what had be come of it, to which he replied that he had . destroyed it. Pieces of a destroyed P.N. ; were on the floor, but when picked up and put together they wero found to be those of tho retired noto for £250. An altercation ensued, and tho result was tho present - action.

Judgment was givon for tho plaintiff for tho full amount of tho claim, £334 16s 9-5 and costs on tho middlo scale; judgment. was also givon for tho firm on a counter claim put in by Mr Stovonson,with costs on, the lower sealo. This terminated the civil sessions.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAB, THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1884,



Special Advertisements. TMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. CONTINUANCE OF OUR GREAT WINTER CLEARING £ALE. We beg to announce that in order t» effect an ENTIRE CIiEAHaNCrG« * ~ X HAYEUTORTH-R REDUCED OUR JU__lldY VERY* LOW PRICES, And that we are jpow offering our IMMENSE STOCK AT A LOWER RATE Than similar Goods have over been sold at in - Auckland before. In our CLOTHING DEPARTMENT especially SWEEPING DEDUCTIONS hive been made, And we aro nowtelllng all descriptions of MEN'S TROUSERS AND VESTS, SUITS • AND MERCERY, fee, TAB UNDER COST. The present, an opportunity very rarely offered of (.et__B_Tt_o very Best Quality of Goods at tke very Loweet Price, should be eagerly taken advantage of. Nous thb Address— X pOSORAVE AND {.0., 204 ANiD 206, QUEEN-STREET __. ■ >** g n THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING I FACTORY ' Display an Immense variety In MEN'S and BOYS' CLOTHING, etc., made of the ..let-rated MOSQIEL TWEEDS, unequalled In VALUE and Superior Fitting. The most economical and durable goods ever manufactured. Garments to fit every figure always in stock. Auckland Branch: 168 & 160 QUEEN STREET. ; J. FITZSIHOHS, Branch Manager. _____ '■■-.!. /\ ________________________________________ OECONB ¥1^ B B **** OV THB GREATEST BONA FIDE SALE ' EVER HELD IN NEW ZEALAND. THE GENUINENESS OP THIS SALE °* CLOTHINfi^AW w OUT_?ITT__N© < REQUISITES OK EVERY DESCRIPTION, Has beMubotme Oat by tha CROWD qf OUS * TOMEHS during'the past week, and i^. especially On -Saturday night. EVERYONE WAS P__EASEDAND SATIS FIED AT THE B A R&AINS -THEY - TECis W_EK, FBJESH GOODS WILL BE OPENED, A«_> THE SAM_ SLAUGHTERING CONTINUED. COMB EARLY, AS THE PREMISES ARE SMALL. MONSJER CLOTHING HALL, 214/ QUEEN- STREET, -- _ Opposite MoAbthub's. UT" T BY V, V* -IU MANAGER. _____«__-_.. -■ •__ '■'■_.-■_- '...■■'-■: .'..__■■



Special Advertisements. | -J-O* 0 T I C E. The Now Zealand Sugar Company (Limited) desire to notify that they will be prepared to olfer R.flned Sugars forsalo in September. J. E. BREWSTER. Manager. Auckland, Ist August, 1881. JUST OPENED, Anothor Thousand I, VRIES' AND CHILDREN'S FASHIONABLE WINTER HATS AND BONNET?. At the Low Price of ONE SHILLING EACH, Worth from 5s to 15s. This Lot is suporior to the Previous Ship ment, and comprise many New fahades and Colours. Ladies are requested to come and In spect these Goods before purchasing elsewhere, _5 they cannot possibly bo oaualled In any other Shop in New Zealand. Please Note the Address- FERNANDEZ, DRAPER AND CLOTHIER, Karangahapo Road, Newton. REMEMBER ! THE PRI.E IS ONE SHILLING EACH, MILNE & CHOYCE. ANNUAL STOCK TAKING. GREAT SALE OF REMNANTS IN ALL DEPARTMENTS I'OU 14 Days ! D & s , W Days ! COMMKNCINO TUESDAY, sth AUGUST. REMNANTS DRESS MATERIALS REMNANTS SILKS. &C. REMNANTS RIBBONS REMNANTS LACES REMNANTS TRIMMINGS REMNANTS CALICOHS, &0. ALSO. THE BALANCE OF WINTER JACKETS, DOLMANS, ULSTERS, And MILLINERY, AT A GREAT REDUCTION TO CLEAR. MILNE & CHOYCE, WELLESLEY AND LORNE-STREETS. — _—- — THE UVEB STIMULANT.-A COMPOUND EXTRACT OF EUONOMYN AND PODOPHYLLIN WITH TARAXACUM-»l» INCOMMBA-LY THt BEST TONIC TOR BILIOUS NESS, TORPID LIVER, DYSPEPSIA. FLATULENCE AND LOSS OF A.PEJITE. 25. 60. PCS BOTTLE M MCMH'S, CHttttSl. .<M«.H S^t.T, MSCMAttO



" BUCHU PAIBA."-Quick, cnmploto ouro, >1I ____jl.nr Klikiuy, Bladder mid Urinary Diseases. At Druggists. KeiuOthome Vroueor a Co., Afi-uts, Auckland.



Sportsmon will notice by advertisement elsewhere that the well-known hunter General is to be sold by auction by Mr Buokland to-morrow. A special meeting of the Rationalistio Association is called For to-morrow ovening at Robson's Dining-rooms, Queen-street, "ROUGH ON RATS, "-.loam out rate, mica, nwohea Bios, uiti, bod-buss, beoUm, iimvta, _kunks,Juck-rabblts, co. hers At Druggists. - , Keinpthumo, ?____.. A Co., Agent*, Auckland.



Drunken Stuff.—How many children nml women are slowly and surely dying, or rather being killed, by exoessivo doctoring, or the daily uso of somo drug or drunken stuff called medi cine, that no ono knows what it is made of mho can oasily be cured and Bavcd by Hop Biitors which is bo pure, simple and harmless that tho moat frail woman, weakest invalid, or smallest child can trust in it t See.



Bow s General Grocery and Provision Stores, Victoriastroet, aro brought under your notice as supplying tho Best Quality of Groceries at wholesale prices. Your orders called for and goods delivered in all parts of tho town and SUbui D3.—rADVT.I The Italian Bedstead is a new and very pretty stylo. You will find a large assortment of Iron and Brass and Nickel-plated Bedsteads at the Cheap Furnishing Warehouse, Garlick nndCranwoirs,Quoon-Btroet,Auckland.— [Advt.* A notice to the members of St. -Thomas _ Temperance Society Is giren in another column., or a meeting to-morrow evening. A very good, programme has beon prepared, and as the-v. admittance fee is very small, a good attendance 1 i is expected.