SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ttrnn wa-pwu /I*l8 Evening.7.51 HIGH WATBK (Tomorrow Morning, 8.11 SUNSET.-Thia Evening, 5.61 S' INRISE.-To-morrow Morning, 6.15 M JON'S AGE.—New Moon, 27th, 5.28 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

LAST EVENING. Macgregor, s.s., Johnson, from Whangarel TO-DAY. » Notero, barque, Smith, from Lyttelton

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Wellington, as., Farqnhar, forTauranga Rowena, s.s., Norris. for Mercury Bay C/srnet, schooner, Ross, for Uabaai Christina, schooner, Kvanson, for RuSßell

IMPORTS.

Per Notoro, from Lyttelton—3,ooo Backs wheat, 3,032 sacks oats, 20 bales cocoanuts, 1> tons flour, 26 coal waggons, 230 cheeses.

Per Notero— 7.$ sacks short oats, 997 sacks dun oats. 296 sacks milling oats, 358 sacks pearl wheat, 77 sacks Hunter's white wheat, 195 sacks chick wheat-G. S. Jakins.

EXPORTS.

Per Cygnet, for Hoabai-I^Bl pieces timber, 250 sacks flour, 80 cases biscuits, 40 kegs bcof, 12 boxes tea, 215 packages sundries.

Inwards COABTWISE.-Kauri, from Kennedy Bay, with 54,000 feet timber.

Outwards Coastwise.—Dream, for Tairua Norval, for Russell.

Tho b'rieantlno Deflanco cleared at tho Cus toms to-day for Hokianga, where she is to load for Brisbane. She is expected to sail this evening.

The brigantine Defiance entered out at the Customs to-day for Tonga,

She schooner Cygnet sailed last evening for rfaabai, via RusßeD. At Russell she receives a whaling party for Lefuka.

The s.s. Explorer has been berthed at the Railway Wharf, and is now discharging her cargo of guano.

On and after Maroh 31st, the following will be the time table for the s.s. Coromandel:—Leaves Auckland: Monday noon, Wednesday noon, Friday (2 p.m.) Leaves Coromandel: Tuesday noon, Thursday noon, Saturday noon.

The barque Notero arrived from Lyttelton early this morning. She left Lyttelton at 10 p.m. on Saturday last; experienced strong S.E. winds to Kast Cape, which was roundod on Tuesday, at 7 a.m., and thence light W. and S.W. winds till arrival here at 1 a.m. to-day Passengers :—Mrs Smith and ohild. Mr and Mrs Kerr.

The s.s. Maogregor arrived from Whangarei last evening, wiwi 200 cases fruit, 4,580 ft. timber, 60 kegs butter. 20 sacks gum, 20 boxes eggß, 5 casks ale, 5 crates fowls, and the following pas genders: — Messrs Groenough, Whitenead. Miller, F. Tucker, Rogers, MoKay, Macdonald, Downing. Captain McKenzle, Mesdames Mc- Row, Bump. Frasor, Laird and flve children, Miss Hoo, Mr and Mrs Carter, Mr and Mrs .Lelfor.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Douglas, 8.5., Soott, from Waltara Argyle, s.s., Amodeo, from Waitara

DEPARTURES.

Argyle, s.s., Amodeo. for Waitara Douglas, S.S., Scott, for Waltara

The as. Douglas arrived from Waitara oarly this morning with U2sheop, 6 horses, 3 kegs butter, and 10 packages.

Tho ss. Argylo arrived from Waitara last niEht with 24 head cattle, 210 sheep, 12 horses, and 27 kegs butter. She left again at 11 a'clock with Gl2 oases and packages, and the following passengers :—Messrs Lonergan, Craig, Roberts, Hudson, Haywood (2), Slain, Hamerton, and Parsonson.

Tho s.s. Douglas left for Wattara at 1 o'clock.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Rtoseix, this day.-The Glenelg sails at 4 p.m. Passengers: Messrs Broderiok, Hooker* Boulton, Winkle, Glbbs, and others, Mesdames EastmuirandStepheDJwn. Port Chalmers, yesterday.-Sallod: Akaroa. larque. Bowling, foi London, with cargo valued at £123 230. Wellington, thia day.—The ship Margaret Galbraith Bailed for London this morning, Whangarei, this day.-Arrived: Rowena, from Auckland, 8 a.m. Sailed; Waitokl, for Auckland, 9.10 a.m.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star Office, this day. MESSRS HUNTER AND NOLAN'S REPORT. Horses: There were bui few shipborne horses; ha usual, those of a good stamp sold well, but Indifferent descriptions were relatively lower. At the Durham Yards on Friday there were above an average number of entries; the demand was fitful, and several horses sold rela tively higher than others. We quote hocks from £6 to £17 10s; light harness horses from £U to £18; medium draught, £t2 to £30. Wool, hides, and skins: Supply limited; wool sold at from 33d to s)d; hides from 2*d to 31d per lb.; skins, 9d to 2s Jd; tallow, 25s Gd per owt. Cattle: The supply of rat and dairy stock has been a full one, and an adequate number of stores were yarded. The Newmarket sale yardn. on Tuesday, worn wJI supplied, and the demand wasspirited throughout for all descriptions of stock- Values for fat beasts receded alto 3*o*, but for dairy stock advanced B«<>™a* were unaltered; Sheep wore ButflcioD* cot requirements, and were well competed for; price had a slightly upward tendency. Lambs scarce, and sold at 13s Gd to 16a M. Pigs: Few yarded ; prices in favour of vendor. An unsatisfied demand remains. BANKS AND CO.'S RBPOBT. At Parawal on Thursday the number of fat

cattle yarded exceeded that of any market w« have yet had, the whole being cleared at very satisfactory rates. Thirty-two head from 3. .McLuro, Tauranga. brought from 66 for light cows of good quality, to £912s Gd forbontsteere, H/OcaUy fatted cows and steers, £5 to £9 ss; being equal to 24s per lOOlbs for best sort; 20s and upwards for a few second rate. Sheep were also in very large supply. A draft of inferior ewes made 7b 3d each; 10 mixed ewes and wethers, Us; 120 flrst-elass wethers from the Auckland Agricultural Company, 16s to 18s 3d ; lambs, 8s to 13s; well-bred young store pigs, 17s $o 21s each.

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

Mails wiix Close as under :— This Day. For Tairua. per Atalanta. at i p.m. For Wangarei Heads, Parua, Waipu, Kamo, Wangaroi, Tangihua, and Mangapai, per Mac greEor at 5 p.m. For Thames, per Annie Mllbank at 5.30 p.m. Saturday, 29th inst. For Waiwera, Mahurangi, Matakana, Manaa wai. etc., per Kpse Casey, at 0 a.m. For Tairua, per Dream, at 11 a.m. For Waterford, Tanranga, etc., per Rotoraa hana, at 3 p.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 3.30 p.m. Monday, 31st inst. ForCoromaniJol. per Coromandel. at 11.30 a.m. For Tauranga, Ohinemutu, and Opotiki, per For 'whftiangl and Upper Mill, per Rowena, at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Ist April. ForTaranaki and Southern Ports, per Hawea, at 11a.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 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 1 p.m, For money orders, registered letters and newspapers, at 11.30 a.m. Late fetters, bearing an extra fee of Blx pence in addition to tlife postage, will be received by tho Mail Agent on board the Bteaincr up to tho tims of sailing. This mail will be due in London on Sat urday, May 10, 1881. N.B.—The s.s. Waipara will leave Hokttika for Jackson's Bay and intermediate ports on Bth April.

S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster. Chiof Post-offlco. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

March 28, 18S1.

United Service Hotel—Annual meeting of the Albert Football Club, 7.30 p.m. V.M.C.A. — Annual meeting of members, 7 p.m.

Births.

WISHART.—On March 24, at her residence, Lorno-street, tho wifo of Geo. Wishart, junr., of a son.

Deaths.

BREEN.—Drowned in the Auckland harbour on tho 28th March, 1881, William Breon, fourth son of Miohael and Mary Jn.no Brecn. —Liverpool papers please copy. The funeral will take placo to-morrow, leaving his late residence, Lorno-strect. at 3 o'olock. Friends please accept this invitation. EDWARDS.-On March 27. 1881, at tho Old People's Refuge. Auckland, Mary Ann Edwards, the mother of William K. Edwards, of Melbourne, formerly of Auckland.—Mel bourne papors please copy.

Notices to Correspondents.

Tenant.—lt would l)o very improper to sue under such circumstances, and upon state ment of tho case tho Magistrate would probably refuso costa. NoTertheless, to avoid trouble, you had better send the money down. Anglican.—lt would bo no small task to com pile a table showing the debt on every church building in Auckland, and the return when made would not be worth the cost of compiling It. ■

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1884.

For the cause that lacks assistance. For the wrong that Deeds resistance, For tho future in the distance. And the good that wo can do.

We bollovo the decision by Judge Smith to-day, upholding the oloction of tho City North Liconsjng CommiM-po, W»U give general satisfaction- Tho technical irregu larities in conducting the polling were per? haps numerous, but in no instanao wan it alleged that thoy had prejudiced the result. No election over takes place without some minor errors of omission or commission, and if the entire proceedings wore set asido on such grounds litigation would bo endless, and the law, instead of being the preserver of public rightsand liberties, would be a cause of oppression. In the late licensing plec tions there was a fair fight on both Bidesl, The fortunes of war, which had favoured the licensed victuallers in every struggle before, went against them thiß time, and there was nothing for it but to accept the inevitable. The petitions against the elec tions have always appeared to us a false move. • The Governor could not have maintained the old committees in office after the. recent expression of public feeling, and if the elections had been declared null and void, another con test would only hayo provoked a fiercer fight with a confirmation of the former victory, Wo believe the safety of the trade rests upon the good sense pf a majority of the people. The rocont outbreak of popular temperance enthusiasm was not because a majority of the ratepayers are teetotallers, but it was provoked solely by tho abuses of the traffic, pnd the flagrantly bad administration of the law. Tho law-abiding are thus liable to suffer with the low-break ing. The Temperance Licensing Com mittees ATO now placed on their trial, and wo belieye they will bo held in check by the public opinion which placed them iii office. Indiscreet advisers have been tempting them to resort to extreme measures which were nover contemplated in the Licensing Act, but it may be hoped that their commqn sense, and the knowledge which thoy have that they sit not as a Good Templar Executive, but as a judicial body chosen to administer a specific statute, will restrain them frpm any excess. That the constitution of the committees, as licensing bodies, is an anomajy bordering on the ridiculous, must be evident enough to anyone who looks at the question in a perfectly dis passionate way, But they have sought office with a knowledge of what will be re quired of- them under the law, and we must only hope that they will manifest a disposi tion to exercise a watchful guard over tho bias of their mipds, and endeavour to exact no more if they accept no less than the law demands, The petitions' jn all the districts except City East have not, so far as we are a^yare, been hampered by any pending question. But there exists in City East a strong feeling on the subject of the Waver ley Hotel and the Nottingham Castle licenses. Now, without reference to anything tjjat has been said or written upon this subject, it is the duty of the new Committee to approach ijb with a deter mination to go into both cases carefully, ridding their minds, as far as jt is ppssible for men to do, of preconceived opinions. Statements have' been made' that tho Committee had come to a decision with referenco to both licenses before ejther had been before them in their official capa city. These assertions are, wo hope, untrue. We do not pretend to pass any judgment upon the points at issue in these eases; if a house is a source of' dis order in the neighbourhood, is obnoxious to the residents, and a source of public nuisance and disturbance, it is not merely a right bu]t a duty lying upon the licensing tody, however con stituted, to shut it up. But the licensing authority in every case, before taking so extreme a step, ought to be we|l satisfied by evidenco of the truth of the chargea. A good deal of opposition may, as in the case of the Waverley Hotel license, arise from pure trade jealousy and self interest. One hotei may be considerably enhanced in value ,by the plosing of another, or have its value diminished by the establishment of a rival. But we do not know that either temperance or the public good wi}l be protsoted by monopoly. The point at issue in the tssse of the Waverley Hotel is a purely legal one, turn' ing upon the question whether the license was alive or legally extinguished with the sale of the building. The City Council, as owners, believed they had a negotiable property in the license, and re served it in the conditions of lease in the event of the lessee declining to keep the license alive. Thiit they sold their goodwill is matter of history ; whether they had any thing that was tangible and had a real existence to sell, remains to be decided. The decision on the first action in the Supreme Court went against that supposition; but it is asserted that Mi1 Robert Stout, who is no friend of licensed victuallers, and other eminent legal authorities, hayo given opinions declaring that tho license is legally alive. We speak on this matter merely from hearsay and what has transpired in the Courts, and not with the object of contending either for or against the Wavcrloy Hotel, but merely for the purpoae of showing how necessary It is that the Committee should deal with thiß and all other questions of a similar kind that may come before them in a painstaking and impartial way. "We apprehend that no teetotaller, however extreme his views will maintain that the' evils of the drink traffic are represented by those mammoth hostelries upon which both tem perance and non-temperanco people have to depend lor the comforts and conveniences of life when travelling. And it behoves them to be. careful that, while acting on the belief that they are further-1 ing ' temperance principles and actuated 1 /I

by a high sense of justice, they are not really being made the instruments of injustice and trade monopoly. If the tem perance committees, which are, in the main, composed of shrewd business men, display the intelligence which they apply to the conduct of their own businesses in theso matters, they will probably not be led so far astray as some hope and others fear.

Extra Wages Collected for American Seamen.

With reference to the complaint made in connection with the discharge of seamen belonging to the Sarah Hunt, to which allusion was made in an extract from a Canterbury paper published last night, an idea appears to prevail amongst those not acquainted with the laws of the United States that the three months' extra wages collected by the American Consul for every seaman ordered to be discharged by him belong to the seaman. According to section 4,550 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, one month's extra wages is the property of the United States Government, and is credited to the Relief Fund. The remaining two months' extra wages belong to the seaman, provided lie is not a charge on the Consulate. In the event of his remaining at the Consulate, or desiring transportation home, the extra wages are applied toward the maintenance and passage of the seamen. The statute reads : " The three months' oxtra wages are to bo credited in the proper consular account; the two-thirds thereof are not to bo paid to the seaman until he shall havo engaged on board some vessel, and is about to sail, and then they should be paid in full only when no disbursement shall hare been made on his account. Expenses incurred for his board or other necessaries for transportation, including passage paid on consular certificate at the Treasury,aro first to be paid,and the residue only of two months' extra wages, if there be <(«(/, is to be delivered to him. if the seaman is detained at the Consulate either through illness or for tho purpose of awaiting transportation home, the Consul is empowered to pay all necessary expenses incurred on account of the seaman, even after the extra wages are exhausted. Tho principle is to re turn the laaman safely to his home. In countries where opportunities seldom occur for sending seamen home by American vessels, tho destitute seaman is Often a very heavy exponso to tho United States, as, for instance, in tho crow of the Sarah \V. Hunt. Tho Consul has no power ta assess damages in lieu of wages, as on whalers, where the mon aro shipped by tho day, or receive compensation by a certain interest in tho catch. Evon if tho voyago should terminate unfortunately, tho Consul's duty in that case is to collect tho thrco months' extra wages, and to provido for the seaman as horeinboforo described. Should the seaman havo an Interest in the catch, an order is given him on tho owners for said interest, provided that tho ordor is duly signed by the master and authenticated by tho Consul,

Succobs Ima onco nioro crowned tlio British nrms in the Soudan. Major- General Graham with his forces, yesterday made n moct fatiguing march against tho position hold by tho rebels, under Osmnn Pigna, at Tamaneh, and tho robols having fioa' without offoring any roaistanco, tho British soldiers razed thoir fortifications to tho ground, reduced tho village to ashen, and, as would appear, nro now resting prior to returning to Souakim. The telegram states, tho troops return to their base, becauao tho campaign upon which Major - Gonoral Graham started is at an ond. Thero must bo some mistake on that point, for It is no way clear that Osman Dign.'i and his follower* havo been finally dieposod of. In all probability vo shall hear of thorn shortly as being again active and threatening. It is more likely that the object in falling back on Souakim is to recuperate tho health of the troops, which has suffered spvoroly from a forced march through a burning and difficult country.

The Star Monthly Summary for send ing by tho outward mail on Tuertlay morn ing will bo presented with to-morrow's iseuo of this journal. It will contain, as usual, ft full resume" of tho iiowb of the mpnth, including arrival of the Northumberland and doserii.fcion of vessel. The continuation of the aerial tale

" A Woman's Faith" will also appear, along with reWows, humorous clippings, sporting notes, fiold sports, the gardon, etc., etc.

Our weekly market price-list is unavoid ably held over, Butf,er and eggs remain at last week's prioos. The gum market is un changed, tho month's produce to dato boing about 480 tons.

The Union Sash and Door Company havo established a timber depfit at Birkonhead Wharf. Messrs Flowollyn Bros, arc agents. Busy operations havo boon going on these last fow days unloading two cuttor-loada of the first Instalment of the stock.

Mr Albin Villeval has kindly interested himself In the case of an indigent old Frenchwoman named Madame]-Duquesne, and is at present arranging a benefit con cert for her relief. Sho is 74 years of age, mother by adoption of tho late Jamas Mul holland (who died under chloroform tho othor day), and is wholly without means. Tho old lady is in great distress, mid as tho case is one which must poworf ully appeal to tho charitably inclined, it is hoped that tho concert will be well patronUod. In all pro bability, it will take place in tho Choral Hall about a fortnight honco.

Messrs Tonks and Co. sold by auction to day tho privileges in connection with tho Takapuna races to be hold on Saturday, April sth, with the following result:—Gates, £70, S. Jones ; No, 1 booth, £19,. T. Gallery ; No. 2booth, £17, W. Adams; booth under thegrand stand, £12, ■ftbertson ; fruitstall, £555, MrsMooney ; cards, £17, VV. Adams;

At tho meeting of tho City Council tho fo'.Jowing letter waa submitted from tho Ministers' Association with respect to tho proposed yeto on street preaching:—" To His Worship tho Mayor and Members of the (City Council: Qsntlcmen, —We are desired by the Ministers' Association of tho city to call the attention of your honourable) Council to the by-law which, as wo are given to understand, is about to bo enforced in this city, the result of which will be the prohibition of street-preaching. Wo would remind you that tlio Congregationalist, Baptist, Methodist, and other churches bcsido the Salvation Army hare boon accus tomed to appeal to the non-churchgoing jieople through tho medium of street preaching, and that in the Old Country nearly all the phurohes adopt this njethoij of reaching the 'masses, and aro protected by the law so long as they do not ob struct tho .thoroughfare or act so as to commit a nuisance. Wo sym pathise, as all law-loving and law-abiding people must, with your efforts to preserve order and decorum in the city, but we respectfully submit that you are ablo to ac complish those objects without tho enforce ment of such a liy*law as that above in dicated. We fear the enforcement of such a law will be regarded as an interference with religious liberty, and a curtailment thereof will tend to defbat the very object you have in view. Praying your honour able Council to repeal said by-law, we are, on behalf of the Ministers' Association, Joseph Robertson (Chairman), Samum, Macfarlank." Five potitions were also presented on tho same subject, and, together with tho above letter, were deferred for consideration till tho next meeting of the Council. The prayer of tho petitions has already appeared in our columns,

Our morning eontempoi'ary, with its usual faculty for discovering mares' nests, in to-day's issue says: " It is a ciurioue fact, and worth notice, that the election of Councillor Thompson for North Ward, an nounced in onr yesterday's impression, was conducted exactly in the same way as the licensing elections, and that the same blunder was made ns threatens to bo fatal to the validity of tho Licensing Commit toes." It then proceeds to quote Clauso 10 of the Regulation of Elections Act, the gist of which is that the Returning Officer shall " appoint a placer within the district" a3 the polling place. The "Herald" has evidently come to grief over tho word "district,1' having erroneously en deavoured to establish an analogy between "district" in. tho Regulation of Local Election Act and tho samo word in the Licensing Act. In the latter ordinance the word means of course, the Licensing Dis trict, while the forinor statute the in terpretation clause defines it as follows : — ''District" means tho district comprised within tho jurisdiction of any such local body, and includos the riding of a county, the ward of a borough, and any othor sub division of a district for elootor.il purposes. Our contemporary will therefore soe/.J'i —

as far as the point raised by if-i X corned, Or. Thompson's seatj^ "^ sifo. It will be seen that by „'„,„„,,,„■, of the Court to-day in tJjt^Nf, TBKI£I tion. the BosidontMv; and v^.ledstock conuider the iryy PhotosrapMo Novoltieis with the I 'Zealand. Cherry Fabric, for lifiinoua in (Tows, 2s per yard. Hydroklnone, iieinous i^ gj 0& Appliaßo6B , OT »"0 PXrt ot Colouring Photographs on Con i/"Glasses to imitate China Painting. SOLE 'AGENTS throughout New Zealand tor SKA VKYS' BAOEttUOJJNDS AND ACCE3, BGIUBS, ._-: -

Mr G. W. Griffin, United States Consul, paid an official visit to tho Japanese Tsukuba, and on leaving the ship received the usual consular salute of seven guns.

The Artillery Band, under the conductor ship of Bandmaster Hunter, will perform the following choice pieces tomorrow after noon in the Western Park :— Overture, " L'lntiepide (L. Bousquor); valse, " Boc caccio" (Suppo); selection, "lolanthe"(new fairy opera), (Sullivan); fantasia, " The Royal Musketeers" (Mullot); valse, " Rose of England" (H. RounJ); solection, " Pirates of Penzance" (Sullivan) ; fan tasia, " Le Val D'Amour" (Blanoheteau); galop, "Jolly Brothers" (Wainwright) : " God Save the Queen."

Tho fortnightly meeting of the Crown Lands Board was held yesterday afternoon, but the business wan of an unimportant character. Mr Rose, Secretary of the Auckland Agricultural Company, wrote complaining of the amount of the reserve on the Tamahere swamp lands, viz., £2 per acre, and it was decided to reduce the upset to £1. An application for a timber reserve at Waiwera was granted. The native ap plication to occupy lots at Kihikihi was re fused. The Government wrote acknow ledging no liability to clear lands at Kihi kihi of furze. Agreed to recommond the Government to grant £30 from deferred payment rovenuo, and improve the ap proaches to the point at Churchhill. An additional area of two acres was granted for a school site at Cambridge.

In the courso of an interesting lecture delivered in the Museum building last evening, Mr Fedorli gave much valuable in formation respecting sericulture. He also explainod why several effort* made through out tho colony had failed, the principal causes being that the wrong kind of mul berry had been planted, and that the wormt imported were also of tho wrong kind. This arose from a lack of practical know ledge and too great dependence on books, and he pointed out that the only method by which success could be oxpectcd was by the importation of oxperts, who would be able to prevent orror in these respects. He had no doubt that sericulture could bo made to pay in this colony, and the only question was how it should bo sot about. Ho sug gested sevoral methods of procedure, which wero discussed at great length. A full report of the proceedings is published in another column.

A lady correspondent complains, first of the stoppage evory Friday .of the two hours allotted to tho fair sex for bathing at tho Corporation baths, and says that thoy have now n much worse grievanoe. "A week ago notico was given that thoi'o wo« to be no bathing for throo wooks. Somo stupid dolt of tho other sox of courso takes it into his head that tho pond wants enlarging, re pairing, or something olso dono to it, and for that purpose cuts our season short by throo week?, instead of studying, liko a polite, sensible species of tho genus homo should do, tho interests and ploasuro of tho ladies, and loavo tho work of repairing until tho winter sets in, when few, if any, caro to bathe."

Tho quartoi-ly mooting of tho llopo of Auckland Tent of Hochabitos was hold last night ill St. James's Hall, and was largely attended. This tent is making rapid pro jjress. Tho reports of tho surgeons were very favourable Dr. Hooper roported very little Bickness, and all confined to childron, in his branch. Dr. Macdonald roported very slight sickness ; Dr. Knight, very littlo sjeknoss indeed. Thero was no report from Dr. Erson ; but save for ono caso, thoro has not bcon much Moknossti ftt Oti'lmhu. A committeo was appointed to report as to tho best moans of hold ing tho anniversary (tho 20th). Bros. 1!. French and J. U. Carr wore appointed to reprosont tho tent at tho meeting of Friondly Sociotios on Friday next at tho Lorno-street Hall. Po the Friendly Societies Act,, 18S2, it wan stated that it was proposed to Issue a challenge for a cricket match, 1.0. R. v. any other Friendly Socioties, to bo played on Good Friday. Bro. C. B. King has tho mattor in hand. Cash receipts, £65; number of mombers, 152. Two wore admitted, and one pro posed.

To tho Editor : Sir, —Considerable dis satisfaction exists just now among the resi donts of Djvonport at tho want of punctuality of tho ferry steamere. Tho masters of tho steamers seem to tot-ally dis regard tho time-table, careless of tho incoM veniouco and perhaps loss such negligence may entail oj) tho passengers who are on board. Last evening tho master of thp boat loaving tho North Shore at 9 o'clock ostentatiously ignored both time-table and the wishes of his passengers for the con venience of two or three individuals who happened to bo very lato. The steamer did not put ofTfrom the North Shore Wharf till fiyo minutes past tho hour, and when a considerable distance from tho wharf, going at full speed, tho captain ob sorved a few persons on tho wharf, and actually stoppod and revorsod tho engines, and, aftor great loss of timo, ro-moorcd tho boat to enable thoso porsons to got on board. Tho consequence of this wa« that tho steamer did not arrivo at Quoon-Btroot Wharf till twenty-five minutes past fl. I myeolf desired to bo in n certain portion of tho town at 9.30, and would havo had ajnplo timo to bo thero had tho boat loft at ita propor time, or even live minutes late; but as it was, I was put to serious inconvenience by my inability to Keep my appointment.—l am, &c, Dkvospokt.

On Tuesday ovening last a concert, by the kind permission of Dr. Bond and Miss Crisp, was given by the nurses of tho Auckland Hospital in No. 1 ward. Miss Goldston, Miss Lawry, Miss Crisp, and Dr. Bond also contributed to the evening's entertainment, which was in every way a success, and heartily enjoyed by thoso patients who were well enough to attend. The concert commenced by an admirably - executed picnoforto duot by Misses Goldston and Lawry, which was dosorvedly applauded. A well sung glee, " The March of. tho Men of liar lech," by the nurses, followed, after which Nurse Steelo sang, "Courtship Lano," which was well rcceiTed, as was Qiao a duot

—"The Convent Bells"—by Nurse Doano and Miss Polly Deane. Mr John Taunton gave "The Minstrel Girl," and was fol lowed by Miss Gpjdston with a pianoforte solo, which merited the appl»uso received. "Sweet BelleMahone," by Miss Rolse, and " The Minstrel Boy," a duet, by Nurso Deane and Miss Deane, were muoh ap plauded, as was also a song by Nurse Hes cott. Miss Goldston ana Nurso Stoele followed with a pianoforte duet, which was highly appreciated. Dr. Bond sang, "The Blue Alsatian Mountains," and gave a humoraus reading from Mark Twain, being much applauded. Tl)e following songs were also admirably rendered : -—"Como, Birdie, Come," Nurso Long; "I Would That My Love," Nurses Steelo and Deane; "Will You Buy My Pretty Flowers?" Nurse Rqlso; "Hush Thee, My Baby,"by the nurses ; "In the Gloaming," Nurso Ilescott ; "Killarney," Nurso Deane ; " Grandmother's Chair," Mr Taunton; "Sweet Chiming Bells," Nurse Steelo ; " Tit For Tat," Nurse Stoolo. "God Save tho Queen," by tho company, brought a most enjoyable entertainment to a close.

The course ot true lpve, we aro credibly informed, never did run smooth, and tho above well-wprn adage wjll provido n splendid text for a little opisodp that has just transpired, to say nothing of t|io moral to be deduced therefrom. In our fashion able western suburb dwells a youth, noted for Ills interest in aquatics, who l)as lately become enamoured of the daughter of one of our most reopepted citizons, and who has anything but a regard far pur Jiero. In fact, ho had plainly given him to understand that "keeping company " with bis child would not be allowed. This notification did not seom to have tho desired effect, for it was only one morning this week that tlio pair wore descried, as usual, taking tlieji- way to town just as the horny-handed son of foil and our city_ magnates! were making their way to business. No doubt the youth had boen improving the shining hour by pouring into his fair inamorata's ear a talo of devoted love a»d affection^ and they wero just indulging in the last hand squeeze preparatory to a separation, when the pater appeared on the scene, and in a voice of thunder demanded tho why and wherefore from the guileless youth. Tho answor was t " I am not to be bullied by you, and don't want any talk !" "Then," cried the now furious guardian of his hearth and homo, "if you will not bo talked to, I will find another way," and suiting the action to the word, ho smote the would-be Lothario to such effoct that in a moment his " masher" hat wis thrown on the ground, along with his ooat, and putting on an attitude a In Professor Miller, waltzed round his antagonist. Tho picture at this moment was really a ludicrous ono, and *- —»t fail to affect the risible faculties aO t.°vsi' whoso faces wore eufhjsed to ROTH'S PUBEKPr, what promised to SHOWKR BATHS, Victories frustrated by a Charge—ONE SHILLING. Open all. m ,, r l,t i,: n . from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and StjNDAY^ill* "im INGS from 6 till 10 a.m. The Bath-rooms TJUVas all private, and supplied with erery conven ience, Turkish towels, flesh and hair brushes, combs, respirators, soaps, &c Seleot Bath rooms (private): (or Ladies every day. at all hours, with f oraa)« attendance, One Shining an* Sixpence. Fleasd >ot« the address—Victoria street East, above tht> Sreyhound Hotel, ami next the Cheap Bedding -r l/Furniture Mart

Mr Adams, of the Swan Hotel, Mechanics' Bay, writes denying that he made any application for an extension of his liceme to Onehunga Race-course for the races to morrow.

Mr Lachlan McGowan, whose clever dramatisation of Charlesßeade's "Never Too Late to Mend," hns prepared for the stage a version of Edmund Yates's interesting novel, "Hunted Down." It will be pro duced at the Opera House on Monday next, most of the local professionals having been engaged to assist.

The New Zealaneg Frozen Meat and Storage Company have, we believe, sola their property in Queen-street, presently occupied by Messrs Fisher and Co. and Mr R. C. Greenwood, auctioneer. The pur chasers are the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and the price paidis £31,500.

Tho Sunday-school at the Sugar Com pany, Birkenhead, is making steady pro gress, six scholars having taken off prizes from tho Scripture Gift Society. A monthly church service has been inaugu rated, and the Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell will conduct a service on Sunday afternoon next at 3 o'clock.

Tho final sets of trial fours of the season in connection with the North Shore Rowing Club will take place to-morrow afternoon. The first heat will be started at 2.30 sharp. The trophies to he rowed for are a hand some set of silver medal.s, presented by W. Buchanan, Esq., President of the Club. The crews are as follows :—lst, A. Burgess, J. Webster, XV. Swinnerton, and J. M. Sibbin ; 2nd, G. Wynyard, G. Niccol, F. B. Slinn, and A. Logan ; 3rd, J. Sims, S. McGechio, W. Slattory, and W. Robinson ; 4th, \V. Greenwood, E. Burgees, S. Yon Stunner, J. Dalglicsh ; sth, C. Burgess, A. Buchanan, R. Logan, and C. James ; 6th, F. Duder, J. James, W. Wynyard, P. Wood : G. Reid and A. Fraser coxswains.

Tho Resident Magistrate's Court sat till a late hour yesterday afternoon, when the following cases were dealt with : —Clark v, O'Neill, claim £14 ; Mr Wood for plaintiff. This was an action to recover for luggage which had been left in the Hibernian Hotel, and which was to have been placed on board one of the Northern Steamship Company's steamers at Onehu nga. Plaintiff was nonsuited. Smith v. Carbines and Taylor, claim 12s Gd ; Mr Theo. Cooper for defendant.1) This was a claim for broker ago. Plaintiff was nonsuited. Thompson v. Sandoll; Mr Georgo for plaintiff, Mr Thoo. Cooper for dofondant. Tho claim was for £11 10h for cutting and opening out throo tons of hay. The case was re heard, and plaintiff again nonsuited.

If a man was going to marry his old grandmother, and tliun suddenly turned round, und married his rloh and pretty young cousin inßtoad, wo should tclvn bucli a man credit, (or having displayed good taste, and sound judgment. Ho in like manner, wo credit thoao people with having tho snino estimable (milllt lea, who have learned to purchase their provisions In tho cheapest market, and as the Auckland Provision Company sell Bacon and Choose twenty por cunt, cheaper than anyone vise, it follows) that to purchase from thorn, 1b ulrnost equal to marrying a rich and pretty young cousin. Wo havo a splondld shipment, /or To-morrow, of beet Canterbury Bacon and Chooau, and our usual motto " A Big pioco for a little monoy" will bo strictly adhered to. Plcnae cull early, in order to avoid tho rush and confusion of tho evening.— Auokland Provision Ooniuany. Iliuht Corner Stall. City Market.—A. Hktt4kv. Manasor.— (Advt.l

\V. F, Hicks opons on Saturday a now butcher's establishment at Mount Edon.

A three-act drama will bo represented to mprrrow ovoning at Abbott's Opora House, en titled •• St. Patrick's Night, or the Katal Duel," also a musical and aorohutlu Interlude, and the 1.-iughlnr-provoking farce of " Irish Justice." .Misses Lucy Ashton and Bella Sutherland will take part in tho entertainment.

Glooson'a ball alley has been closed for aoino time, hut re-opens for a spirited match, four players at £3 a-ulilc. There is a new murkor, and tho wholo game Is looked forward to with great Interest. The match is at 3 p.m.— [ADVT],

Bicyolos, unequalled for finish, price and quality, at Shokespear & Cos, (opposite he Market), Quocn-Rtrent.—(Ajjvt.l

Contracts taken for all kinds of concrete work, large or uniall, and estimates and other information glviugt o thoso wishing to do thoir own work.—John Wilson and Co., 75, Queen street.—lAcvt

SCINTILLATIONS.

Foot moos—The honoymoon,

Licensing elections maintained valid. Tho fastest train out—The train of thought. Mail Btoamor loft Sydnoy yesterday afternoon,

Nearly tho whole population of Te Aroha have donned the blue ribbon.

Auckland Islands are to be searched for survivors of the lost barque Loch Fyne.

Sir John Hall visits New Zealand in October.

Tho Sultan of Morocco reoentty married his thousandth wife.

37 cases of Auckland choose wore shipped for England yesterday. Three fresh ooppor prospecting licenses havo been granted by Canterbury Land Board,

A whaling party of 12 men has gone from Russell to tin) Friendly Inlands in tho Cygnet. What chomical instrument is like a cut ting reply!—Tho retort. Going out with tho tied—Following a nowly-weddcd pair out of church. A branch of tho Now Zealand Seamen's Union is to bo formed in Wellington. Thames Borough Council nre discussing financial reform. It is alleged they can save £2,000 a-year. Tho Wairarapa is being tittod with refri gerating machinery for her projected oxcur sion trip to Fiji, etc. Mr Bunny is asked to "stand" for Thorndon seat. On homieopathic principles, he's tho man to legislate against tho rabbit pliiguo. Chriatohurch publicans, like those in other parts of the colony, havo taken alarm at the " wavo of temperance feeling," and are reorganising their forces. Wesleyans In thoso parts each contribute on an average one-eighth of a penny weekly fur tho conversion of the heathon.

Goorge Symington, aftor sotting firo to the Victoria Hotol, Featherstone, yesterday, out his throat. He h dead, but tho hotol is saved.

Lyttelton Licensing Committee Intend to refuse throu public-house liconaos, including that of the Empire Hotel, which was sola tho othor day for £10,000.

Some genius has invented a machine to piny pianos. Why, Auckland is full of them already. Dunedin Harbour Board havo reverted to the system of having two standing cony mittees. It is suggested as an improve ment that there should bo a paid executive of two.

Yesterday fire broke out in the Triangle, at Dunedin, and damaged the premises and stock ofj Strata (jeweller), Wright (pic ture-framemaker, and Spencer (working joweller).

CRICKET HUTCHES TO MORROW.

West End v. ExcßLßioß,-Bxoelsior: Wad. dingham, Perkins, Mason (2), Pooley, Gamblo, Smith, Craig, Hobson, Hlgging, Burns.

Alpha v. West End Second (No. 8 wiokot). —Alpha: Hay, Crancli, CuUor, KUpatrick, Mo- Dennett, Goodacrt), Npsbit, Maroroft, Whito, Abe], and Garton, West Knd: Baker (2), vornoy, Clayton. Taylor. Oourtnyne, Bcrrr, Carrutb, Talbot, Mcjvay, Wooda, Williams. Auu v. Cam-ton.—Alma: Ellcy, Ham mond, Whoatloy, Hill. Bulter, Morlarty, Doran, Opnnolly. Allen, and Speight (g). Cftrlton: McCormick, Hawkins, Brophy, Lusk, Smart, Holt (2), Muir, Burton. Stovcns. and Dickey. Emergencies; MacOoymlck and Q jlilllan. We*t End Tiiiitp v. Pahjjbll (No, 13 wlo kcl).—West End: Marillitt, Doughty, Owen, Ijix'on, Holl'iiian, McGregor, Stewart, Cole; brook, Wright, Baxter, Steadman. Kiuergen oios: Braolt and Harper, Parncll: Hill, Gavdinor, Looky, Kootloy, MoHueh, Brown, Cosson ii), Hyfl.n, Toatro, and Damon, Eden v. Gkammab Sciiooj,.—Kdon : Boborts, Laird, LaHooho, Drum. Lewis. Waters, Ohlson, Davidson, Whitcloy, Taite, White. National v. standard (No. 8 wicket).— National: Anibury, Brookos, Colobourne (2), Diddams, Drmnmond1, Handloy, Nioholson (2), Waters, and Wrlgley, Eniergouoiea : Wilkin son and Sponoo, Gordon Second v. IlEnALD.—Horaldj Kowo, Rotliarham, Goodman, GiUcapie, Shaw, Lincoln, Poaraon, Bell, Maokje, Bruoo, and Hoss, Gordon Second : Bedllngton. Fonton, Hamlin, Kqnderdine, Marriner, Mellßopp, Btovens, MoCauslajid, Kroorgonoles; Hold ship and Ansloy. Uwjted Skoohd v. Gordon. — United: Shovo. Butlln, MePhovson, Harvie (8), Brigh ton, Gatland. Thorpe, Ilewaou, Israel, and Hockln, Gordon: Anaenno, KißslinK. Lusk, Moldrum (21, MoCausland, Owen, Eybum, Sykos. Williama, and Wood, Emorgcnoy: Holdsmp. Wrllbsley v. Homb Bay (Surrey Hillg),— Welloalcy; Tebbs, Hooper (2), Crowther (2), Singleton (2), Fox, Dlddama, Coldicutt, Brown, Emergency: Stophenßon. Kton v, Invinciblkb (Surrey Hills).—Eton: Mills, Taylor, Kowo (2), Constablo, Smith (2), Hlaokwood, Hownoy, Green, and Clarke, Emorgencioa: Burns and Lourlo. Holland's v. Newton. — Newton : Mills, Murphy, Chilton, Bushell, Bathgivto, Ferßuson llonnolt, Mowburn, Taylor, Bell (2), Kmor. Aliii'on v. *9t, Mary's (No. 9 wlokott.— Albion t Dymook, Proaaer, Holmos, Wakorloy Wcddlngljam (3), Jones (;), Robertson, Morrow. Emoigenev: Jonoa. St Mary's! Qninlan, Stodart, Whiting, Cosuar. Ramson, Taylor, Darby (2>. Rlodhill (2), and Stiohbury. Nohthcotk v. Franklin (No. 10 wicket).— Norllifioto : Whatford, Arth\»r, noard, Cham ,harß Donbv, Donovan, Edwards, Hftrriaon, C«lliik"<v2~ MoCllnont, Stevenßon, Emovgen. rtraUed for dxfn&nd Wrlohwon. Franklin : ouaUUes). For tatotfrsaU, Nlglitingato (2), wortsUbaflrst-claih Moow, Roas, Peot. . 'S^urphy. B, KXA NB , SOLE V

THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN

[BY CABLE-COPYRIGHT.]

(RKUTKIt'.S CABLEGRAMS )

THE BRITISH ADVANCE-FEARFUL EFFECTS OF THE HEAT.

Cairo, March 2G. Latkst telegrams from Souakim state that the British troops commenced their march towards Osman Digna's camp in the Hill country, near Tamaneb, at noon. The column had arrived midway between tho latter place and Souakim, when a halt was called—four hundred men being prostrated by the intense heat and the difficult nature of the road. The advance will not be re sumed until daybreak. The cavalry had several skirmishes with the enemy, who are closely watching the movements of the British troops, and a number of Arabs have been killed. Osman Digna's camp is said tobeimpassable forcavalry. The maximum strength of the rebels is estimated to be three thousand.

ATTACK ON OSMAN DIGNA'S CAMP.

Tho Rebels Take to Flight,—British Troops Return to Souakim.

(Received March 28th—11.45 a.m.)

London, March 27

Nows has beou roceived that Major- General Graham attacked the rebels under Osman Digna at the rough outworks at Tamanob to-day. The enemy fled at the first approach, and their village was reduced to ashes. No casualties aro reported on the British side. Major-General Graham re turns to Souakim, his campaign having ended.

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK THIS MORNING.

[UV TBUHIKAI'II — PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Hawera, this day. A SHARP shock of earthquake was felt here at 9.37 this morning. Tho direction was oast to west.

CamiDUDOE, this day.—A slight shock of eartlmuttke was felt hero a little after 10 o'clock this morning. No damage re sulted.

Hamilton, this day.—At 9.55 this morn ing a slight earthquake shock -,vaß felt hore, apparently travelling from tho southeast, and lasting about seven seconds. The earthquake was distinctly felt by Mr Saniios, chemist ; Mr Edgecumbe, of the "Times;" and by Dr. Bealo. Tho latter was in bod at the time, and, on proceeding to rise, oscillated so much as to ejaculate "That's vory peculiar." The shock, how over, was not gonorally noticed. It will bo a comfort to tho Pubiic Works Department to learn that the new railway bridge is earthquake-proof, that .high towering structure having stood tho Ehock ' without vibration, though tho editorial lamps in tho " Times " office swung to and fro. The barometer is surprisingly high, being 30.35, KIRIKIHI, this day.—A shock of earth quake was felt hero at 9.5". It was ex perienced about the samo time at To Awa mutu.

Wellington, this day.—A shock of earthquake was felt along the Wost Coast, from I'almorston to New Plymouth, about 10 this morning.

SPORTING NEWS.

To-morrow's Races at Onehunga.

Should tho weather continue fine to-morrow, there will doubtless be a large gathering to witness the race meeting at Onehungu. The course ia very conveniently situated, being only a couple of hundred yards distance from the To Papapa railway station, und a special train for the con veyance of town visitors leaves at a quarter to one o'clock. The names of the horses left in the two leading oventa ara as follows :— Onrhunua Cop, IS mllo. Bt lb. sUb. Hand wick .. .. 8 12 Venture.. .. 612 Flshwoman .. S 4 Nigger .. ..0 8 Woodpecker ..84 Mystery .. .. B 7 Hewl .. .. 8 '2 Bryan O'Lynn ..60 Merlin .. .. 7 10 Traveller ..0 0 Uavenshofi.. ..7 4 Hurdle Raub, 1} milo. at lb. stlb. Woodpeokor .. II 1U King .. ..9 2 Bugler .. .. 10 8 Corrigan .. ..9 0 KvenlnifStar ..9 7 Miss Walton ..9 0 Shotovor .. ..9 7 In tho Cup thore is ovory likelihood of a good field facing tho starter, and I shall expect to see the finish fought out between Woodpecker and Irishwoman, while Shot over should take somo beating in the Hurdle Race. Hippona.

Larrikin was scratched for tho Easter Handicap to-day.

THE ARMED CONSTABUBLARY HEAD QUARTERS.

[IIT TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRKSPONBKNT.]

Tk Awamutu, this day. Tub Defonco Minister gave final ordors yester day for tho removal of tho hoad-quartora of tho Constabulary from Cambridge to Kihlkihi. Coionel Hoader, as hood of tho department, is tarrying out tho new arrangements. The Colonel has been nt Cambridge, and startod the work of removing Uio constabulary buildings. Ho was at KlhiKilii last night with Colonel Lyon, and after final instructions had beon received by wire from Jlv Uryco a site adjoin, ing Major Mlnnlts was chußon for Colonel Lj oit*s now rosldenco. Tho news of the re moval of headquarters toKiliiklai has caused somo susprige.as though it was known the men would Imvo to leayo Cambridge it was thought Alexandra would ba tho head-quarters. The work of constructing tho road from AlexandJa to Knwhiu will now bo carried on vigorously. Cambridge, this day.—lt was definitely marl a known yesterday ovonlng that the hood quarters of tho Constabulary has beon fixed at Kihikthi. Tho mon aro at present busily engaged in pull ing down tho buildings here for removal to tho now quarters. Colonel Readorroturns to Auck land to-morrow, after visiting KUiikihi and Alexandra,

SUPREME COURT.-This day.

In Chambers.

[Bofore His Honor Mr Justioo Gillies.]

Rk Sabina Carson (doceased).—Mr Campbell moved for tho issuo of lettora of adminstration. Letters ordered to iesuo to widow.

KkC.L.Cakistian (deceased).—Mr Alexander moved for probate of will. Probate granted to executor named in will.

Us W. n,At.'T (deceasedl,—Mr Alexander moved for probate of will. Probate granted to exocutor named in wilL

Kb Matthkw Phii.upi'B (dcoeased). —Mr Dufaur moved for a renewal of order of probate —Renewal of ordor granted. In the ninttor of the Land Transfer Aot. 1870, and its sovoral amendments re application of E. A. Plumley and ro caveat No. 124.—Mr George moved tor tho issuo of a summons to show cause why oavoat No. 421 should not bo ordered to bo withatdrawn, or tho District Land I'ogiatrar ordered to issue oertifloato of title.— His Honor doolinod to grant the order, but ad vised the applicant to tako action ia the Supremo Court in tho ordinary manner. Gibbhs and Wipj? v. Samuel,—An applica tion by Mr Hosketh for summons for substitu tion of defendant was ordered to stand over to Tuesday, . Colonial Bank v. Dunlow,—Mr J, Russell moved for ordor of service of writ.—His Honour »avo leave for issuo of a writ nnd permission to proceed without sorvfoe, giving security as per rule 53.

He J. Gray.—Mr Lush moved for issue of letters of administration.—Probato granted to executors named in bill.

Collins &Co. v. Rrynoi.db,—Mr Mabonr moved for liberty to proceed without personal Borvice of writ under provisions of rule—Mr Heskoth, for defendant, stated that his client had proceeded to Kngtand to institute pro ceodings against Colling and Co., and that he had not left tho oolony for the purpose of evading service.—His Honor doelinod to grant the ordor.

Obek v Colonial Bank,—Mr J. Ruseoll ap plied for tho isrtie of ordor for special jury to try the caae, whloh involves the matter of a dishonoured ohequo for J3soO.—His Honor inti mated that ho thought that this was not a caso that should be tried by a jury, but that it should be deoidod by the judge without a jury. OißiiKß and Wife; v. SAMUBi.-Mr Hosketh applied for icsuo of summons fqr ohahge of venue.—Ordered to stand over till Tuesday

This was all the business,

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

[Before MeßSrs V. L, Primo and F. G. Clayton, Justices.]

Nbolkctino to Ukgisteu.—Mary Ann Kyle, of Otahuhu, was ohargod on summons with nog locting to register tho birth of a female child, Gertrude Stowart, born on tho 14th of August lust, according to tho provisions of the Act.—A Kfintlepian from tha diotrict appeared for Mrs Kyle, and pleaded guilty.—Mr Ixjrd, the Rogin trar of Births and Deaths, said ho had received a communication from Wellington, and under the circiim9tancca ho would not press for a heavy penalty.—Ordered to pay a flno of ss, costs 7s. On Horseback.—George J,oahy, jun., was called In answer to a summons charging him with 111-trcuting a horse with a sore back, Do fendant did not appear; the summons had not been served. This was all the business.

SERICULTURE IN AUCKLAND.

Why tho Local Experiments Failed,

Titerk was a large attendance of ladies and gentlemen in the rooms of the Auckland Institute last evening to hear the promised lecture by Mr Federli on sericulture in this colony, and also on the establishment of other sub-tropical industries.

Mr H. G. Seth Smith, President of the Auckland Institute, presided. In his opening remarks, the Chairman said that comparatively little was known here on the subject of sericulture, and one of the main objects of the gathering would be to con sider whether the matter could be taken up in this part of the colony with advan tage. Mr Federli was then introduced to the audience. In his opening remarks he said that both the soil and climate of New Zealand were favourable for the carrying on of the kind of mixed farm ing prosecuted in the southern part of Europe. A paper which he had addressed to the Chairman of the Royal Commission appointed in 1879 to consider thi3 subject, related to sericulture, olive growing, and other sub-tropical industries. He was under the impression in 18S0 that there wus a sufficient number of mulberry trees in Auckland to enable a fair experiment to be made, but ho regretted that he was mistaken. Mr Schock had come to New Zealand with a capital, prepared to enter upon the industry. The speaker then re ferred to his own experiments- in rearing silkworms at Christchurcli, and exhi bited the practical results in the form of silk spun from cocoons. The opinion of those present appeared to be that the cocoons grown in Christchurch were larger and bettor than those pro duced in Victoria. Mr Pederli proceeded to say that it had been> stated that the variation of temperature in New Zealand would not be favourable to the growth of the worm. But the facts proved that this was incorrect. With his own crop he found they did exceedingly well, both in the Indus trial ExhibitionandthoNational Exhibition. On one occasion the thermometer registered 80 degrees in the day,and only 50 degrees in the night time. On anotherday it registered 90 degrees, and then the mercury fell to 46. But the silkworms thrive very well. A lady had sent him two kinds of healthy worms, and ho found that they did very well. But the truth was, that excessive heat was quite as dangerous to the silkworm as cold. The worm was subjected to disease if neglected. They, however, s6on became acclimatised. That they prospered in New Zealand was proved by the fact that in the first season of last year there was a most remarkable in crease in the amount of the crop, and in the last season the increase' was doubled. Electric changes in the atmosphere pro duced a tremendous effect upon the worm, but on the other hand electricity has been employed with success in hatching the eggs of the silkworm. This had been practised with great results. Mr Federli quoted figures to show the fluctuations that had taken place in the silk trade, and which were attributed to neglect or other causes. Referring to the returns from sericulture, he said one pound weight of cocoons repre sented an ounce of eggs. A pound weight of cocoons represented a money value of about 4s 7Jd, but an ounce of e«gs was worth from lGs to 2()s, He believed that it was perfectly feasible, after carrying on sericulture for a short time, to be como oxporters of silkworms' eggs. The climato and soil of this part of the colony were, in his opinion, adapted to the growth of the lemon, orange, olive, castor-oil plant, hops, and tobacco. The speaker then proceeded to show how the labourer could be assisted by his wife, if she wore to undertako silkworm-rearing, even on a small scale. He said it is not uncommon for the wife of a working man in Italy to go to the nearest farm and ask for mulberry leaves, which were readily given her. Sho reared her worms upon them, and taking her cocoons to the farmer, he sold them in the market with his own, and gave hor half the price which they brought, retaining the i-emainder in consideration of the food supplied. If the season is fair, the women often make more money in five or six weeks than their husbands make in a great part of the year. There was littlo ex pense attached to the rearing for labour. Mr Fedorli then traced the progress of the silk industry from Constantinople, Sicily, Venice, Milan, and Florence. During the reign of Francis 1,, King of Franco, skilled labour was obtained from Milan, and we should start by importing a few hands of skilled labourers. The speaker then re ferred to the cultivation of vine, olive, h'g, lemon, hops, tobacco, castor oil ; pulse, and a variety of other things which provide profitable employment for South American farmers all the year round. Sericulture necessarily requires some buildings. The Government had simply requested him to bring before the people the importance of those industries. The best means of establishing those industries was to start farms and import skilled labourers, say four families. The climate was most suitable. He had seen some of the best olives which he had seen anywhere, while splendid sam ples of hops and tobacco had also come under his notice. It was difficult to dis pose of small quantities of these articles, and ho therefore pointed out that they could bo forwarded to a farm. He then proceeded to remark upon disseminating knowledge on the work described above, and wont on to suggest that when extra labour was required it should bo obtained from the industrial homes.

Mr HowiiAND, Chairman of the Industrial Association, Christchurch, said he could boar testimony to the energy displayed by Mr Federli sinco his arrival in Christchurch, especially in inducing people to plant the mulborry troo. It was found that there were about half-a-dozen tveos in Canterbury. Tho Association used all theirinfluence to in duce the people to plant mulberries. Lastyear one nurseryman supplied tho publio with 1,500 plants, and this year ho is prepared to supply 2,000. Ho considered, however, that the work should bo oarried on cheaper than by tho method proposed by Mr Federli. If tho industrial schools were to take up the matter—they hod the buildings, the labour, and the land—all that would be required was a few skilled handsj they could produce trees, and in time tho boys oould go out and tako charge of farms, and so become useful men. Thoy required more industries in the country, and wanted those boys when they came out of schools to do something for the benefitof thecolony. Thoboj sshouldbegiven an education which would* make them less dependant on pen and ink, and which would be of greater use in developing the latent resources of the colony. He suggested that if tho people of New Zealand were to pur ohase goods produced in the colony in pre ference to patronising imported articles, they would bo doing much towards in couraging thoso industries. They must es tablish and support more industries if they hope to make this a prosperous nation. Mr Federli said Mr Howland's proposal was a vory good one, but ho saw objections. They first wantod (a prove that the thing would pay, and therefore should proceed in a busi ness way. Tho schools were in the hands of tho Government, and this formed one difficulty. Mr Federli, speaking of grape culturo, stated that a Spaniard at Wanga nui had 8$ aoroß under cultivation, which produced beautiful' wine. Good wine had also been produced from grapes grown in Auckland. Tho grapes wove prevented from reaching maturity liero because of mildew, but it was known that this was prevented by sulphur treatment. Mr Firth said an experiment in sericul ture had been made at tho Thames, and it hud not been n success.

Mr MaCuLLOuaii explainsd that a great many wore convinced that sericulture would pay. Several gontlemon established a com pany, bought a section of land at Parawai, imported 1,000 trees from Sydnoy at a cost of £100, and planted them. They found when they had paid for land and trees that their funds wore oxhausted. The grounds were neglected, and tho trees were not taken care of, and he had no doubt that notwithstanding hteir failure at tho Thames, sericulture would pay in Auckland. He did not consider tho establishment of farms advisable on tho ground of expense, and re commended that gentlemen having spare ground should plant say twenty trees each. When it could bo represented that a certain numborof trees could beproducod, the proper people* would find it out, and in this way without any oapital. Instead of tho Govern ment giving a bonus for the production of silk, he thought a bonus_ should bo given to persons for cultivating tho mulberry treo. Tho Thames Company proved unsuccessful merely for want of funds. Referring to the mulborry trees at the Thames, Mr Foderli stated that although the soil is very rioh, it was too dark, while the right kind of trees had not been chosen. Aga'n.tho snails were so numerous that they eat away all tho bark. If skilled labour were employed this would not happen, and consequently he considered it unwiso to attempt to introduce this industry unless the right stock and skilled labour were im ported. Mr Firth said that he had for many years watched the experiments made in silk culture. They had mulberry trees for a long time, and a considerable number of silkworms had been fed by children on tho white mulberry and lettuces

.year after year. In many casea they had collected a great number of cocoons. Ihoy began to ask, What is the value of the silk? and this put an end to their cultivation of the silkworm. In the country, children from five yeara old to ten had been the real cultivators of the silkworm in this colony ; but unfortunately they had not had the right kind of mulberry viz the rose leaf. Jn gardens in this city oliva trees had been growing for years. He had one tree which grew with great vigour When it began to fruit he discovered that it was a wild olive. This, however, showed that the olive would grow without difficulty He then procured what was said to be a Spanish olive of the right class, which he planted, and it was growing in a very hiv u riant manner. Generally,the olives here are not trees producing berries of any commer cial value. In the mulberry and olive trees they had been entirely wrong in having the wrong kinds. Their experience taught them that they would waste a ereaS deal of effort in attempting things of which they knew little ornothing. If they wanted to utilise what little strength they had, they should do so under the direction of an expert. The country had Buffered loss through this not being found out before He agreed with Mr Federli &t> to the foolish" way of educating children adopted now which was exciting a dislike to work and honest labour. That, however, was not the time to discuss this subject. There was a general agreement that such culture could be carried on profitably, and the question was, whether it should be carried on by Government, by a company, or by private individuals). It would be a blessing to the waifs and strays at the Industrial Schools to place honest labour in ' their hands. The other way was to obtain ' assistance from the Government, and the" Government could no doubt lend great aid • to the progress of silk-culture in this colony, m Tho way to secure a reasonable prospect of success was to get help from the Govern ment, to secure experta,and to attach them I to each of the Industrial Schools.and a small farm attached to each of the schools, That k the Government cdttld import mulberry plants at a cost of 25s per thousand and distribute them under the charge of the ex> perts. Only one thing would then require . to be done—Mr Federli should be appointed manager. He considered there wob a regu- 1 lar mine of wealth lying unworked in this land, and they only wanted the proper men to show them how to set about the work. The Government should be urged to take • the necessary steps to set the thinggoirig. In reply to Colonel Haultain, Mr Fedebli said that there were several ways of props gating tho mulberry, the best of which was V by cuttings and seeds. The tree should not be removed from the nursery until it was three years old. The year after that two-thirds of its leaves could be used, and in the following year all the leaves could be used. The Thames Company had two kinds of mulberry.one of which was the right kind viz., the white mulberry. Mr McCullouoh moved, "That in the ' opinion of thip meeting it is desirable that an association be formed for the purpose of collecting information on the subject of: sericulture and kindred industries, to urge' upon the Government the necessity of aiding tho establishment of these industries throughout the colony, and take necessary | steps in the matter. The motion was seconded by Professor Brown, and carried unanimously. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee to carry out the objects of the Association, Mr McCullough to be convener of the first meeting: —Professor Brown, Dr., Purchas, Messrs Bull, McCullougb, Dignan, Cheeseman, Comisky, Pond, Shera, and Moat.

On the motion of Mr Firth, votes of thanks were passed to Mr Federli and the chairman, Mr Seth Smith, which concluded tho proceedings.

THE CITY NORTH LICENSING ELECTION.

The Petition Dismissed.

All the Other Petitions Withdraws.

In the E.M. Court this morning, there wasa fair attendance to hear the judgment upon the petition against the validity of the recent licensing election for City North. Messrs Edwin and Samuel Hesketh appeared for the petitioners, Mr Theo. Cooper for the persons petitioned against, and Mr Thos. Cotter for the Returning Officer (Mr Ridings). His Worship Mr H. G. Seth Smith, in delivering his judgment, began with the remark that the whole of the pro ceedings in connection with the election had been marked by irregularities, but to his mind none of them tended to defeat its fairness. The only ground to be considered was the first one, viz., whether notice of the place of election had been given. His Worship then went on to read and compare Sections 5, 7, 10, and 13 of the Regulation of Local Elec tions Act, in which the word " elec tion "is used in different souses. Section 13, however, was the one relied upon by the petitioners, and from it, it appeared that under certain circumstances, at any rate, the day of nomination or the act of nomination might become the election ; but it still remained an open question whether one was bound to interpret it by the other parts of the Act, or bound to take the word " election," as used in the 13th Sec tion, as conclusive upon the meaning of tho - 50th. And saying that the nomination might become the election, it did not necessarily follow that tho election throughout the Act included or meant the nomination. The 14th section was decisive upon this point, viz. : "If the number of candidates exceed the number of offices then to be filled, the Returning Officer shall forth with give • public notice of the day on which the yoll is to be taken of the names of the several candidates, and of the situa tion of the polling booths. The day on which the poll is to bo taken shall be the day appointed for holding the election as hereinbefore provided." It was certainly a remarkable circumstance that, notwith standing this section, there was no previous provision in tho Act with reference to the holding of the election. It was provided that fourteen days' notice should be given of the election, but no provision whatever was,made in the Act for appointing a day for holding tho election. Now, so far as the proceedings in licensing matters was concerned, this was carried a little further by the 4th Sub-section of tho 13th Section of tho Licensing Act of ISSI, which provided that "As soon as conveniently may bo after the constitu tion of a district under this Act, the Re turning Officer shall, by public advertise ment, appoint some convenient day, and thereafter in the same month in every year, but not earlier than fourteen days after the first publication of such advertisement, for the election of the required number of members of the Licensing Committee within such district; and such election shall ba conducted in the same manner as elections of members of Borough or County Councils or Road Boards are elected." There was, ■ however, pro vision for appointing the day of election. It was to be held within certain months in the year, and not less than 14 days after the first publication of the advertisement. But the proceedings that had to be taken under the Regulation of Local Elections Act must be all taken before the day appointed under the Licensing Act for the election, and therefore these pro ceedings were somewhat different from the " election" mentioned in tho 14th section of the Regulation of Local Elections Act, and as mentioned in the 4th sub-section of the 13th section of tho Licensing Act of 1881. In the last part of the 14th section of the Regulations of Local Elections Act it stated that " the day on which the poll is to be taken shall be the day appointed for holding the election as hereinbefore provided.' This clearly showed that the day of the election was the day for voting, and that tho other proceedings were regarded as preliminary and as leading up to the election, and not as the election itself.. Turning to tho 50th section of the Regula tion of Local Elections Act, sub-section 1 i it was there provided " That if any notice of tho time or place of an election, or the situation of the polling booths, was not given within the time or the manner herein required the election should be void. The Act did not require'the place of election to t>o where the nomination was. It' was silent there u'pen the point, so that it was impossible for him to say that an error had been made in this case ?n the appointment of a place of election when it seemed that the Act made no provision in tho matter. It appeared to him that ac cording to tho 50th section the election is tho time when the poll takes place, and the notice of that-was sufficient. 'The con tention- of the petitioners, therefore, that tho nomination was the same as the elec tion could not be supported by the terms of the Act. On comparing this Statute with tho English Ballot Act of 1872, he felt confirmed in the view he had taken. That Act, in its first schedule, contained a series of rules to be observed during elections, and the provisions contained in these rules, if inserted }n our Act, would fee conclusive in an opposite way to the deci sion at which he had arrived, for there th'p nomination was the same as the election. It was perfectly, clear under the Ballot Act

THE AUCKLAND VENING STAR, FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1884,



Special Advertisements. "TuCKLAND GAS COMPANY J\. (LIMITED). ESTABLISHED 1862. PURVEYORS OF LIGHT, HEAT, AND POWER. The Company sell and erect gas-iltUcgs, in cluding' gas apparatus and gun-power engines. Ktock includes Otto Go* EiiKinea.—Ofllco and Show-rooms. Fort-street THE , TtTEW ZEALAND TWEED COMPANY ! J3I has REMOVED TO THK PREMISES LATELY OCCUPIED BY Mb HAMPTON. SHORTL AND- STREET. JOSEPH MOBES, Manager. DR. P HI L S 0 N, Lata District Surgeon, Attonda from 10 a.m. to 1 o'clock p.m., AND DR. J. H. HONKYMAN . .From 11 a.m. to 1 o'clock p.m., at Aickin'b, "-; THE PHARMACY, Queen-street TtT 0 . T I C E, NIGHT-BOTL CONTRACT. . The present Quarter, finding March 31st, is now due, and prompt payznetfUi must bo made ■ by Householders to insure the service being carried out. S . WHITE. Contractor. QOUTH BRITISH FIRE AND MARINK INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. ,N«TICE TO SHAHEHOLDERa The TRANSFER BOOKS of this Company -will be CLOSED from the.2Gth of MARCH to the 9th of APRIL. 1884. By order of the Board. G. JOHNSTON, General Manager. Head Office, Auckland, March 25.1884. .New Law Partnership. dm UNDERSIGNED bes to announce that they havo Commenced Practice in Co-partner ship as BARRIBTER3 AND SOLICITORS, In Chambers in Hiqk-htrbkt opooslte Mr W. Atkln's Printing Office R. W. BURTON. W. J. NAPIER. Auckland, September 22sd, ISBS. ■ ;■ ' ■ '■' > j TO BUILDERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS. t . j, , i The undersigned aro prepared to Bzcayata AUottncnta in tho Lower Parts of the City upon KMtpially favonrablo terms. °|,^ -: ,_. ... ;..w;'fc a. winbtoi(b,j ■ mO PAINTEHB.-J. WAixa (for ihaSy ;JL . years' Qralner fo* Me Henderson) having entered into Partnership with his brother 10. Watts), they are prepared to;do all kinds of Grab inR, writing, and Decorating in the Beat Style, and at the Lowest Rates. Bilk Banners



Special Advertisements. OA PER CENT. DISCOUNT. W. R ATTE*V Desires to inform his Customers and the Public hat, owing to the Increase in hia GENTLR 2KN'9 MERCERY BUSINESS, and conse auent want of Room for the proper display of "c LARGE SHIPMENTS OF NOVELTIES TO ARRIVE for that Department, he has determined to clear out the whole large and varied stock op ready-made clothing and Woollens. To effect this result as speedily as possible, he has decided to OFFER THE ENTIRE STOCK OF THESE GOODS AT A HEAVY DISCOUNT TO CASH PURCHASERS. It is well-known that all Artlcloß offered for flrie at NEW ZEALAND HOUSE are marked a Plain Figures, the excellence of which plan is admitted by its numerous patrons. TO ALL CASH PURCHASERS OF READY-MADE CLOTHING ANP WOOLLENS There will be allowed from those marked prices (which compare very favourably jgjk "ggSK goods shown elsewhere) the ENOitMOUS DISCOUNT of TWENTY PER CENT., or FOUR SHILLINGS IN THE POUND. SALE NOW ON. r gentlemen's black cloth [gKHnIJSack worsted gentlemen's tweed single tV," BREASTED SACS FT GENTLEMEN'S TWEED PAGKT p«| SUITS O GENTLEMEN'S TWEED SINGLE. q GENTLEMEN's'tWEED TROUSERS <Z 1 GENTLEMEN^ TWEED TROUSERS ft. GENTLEMEN'S MACINTOSH COATO H? GENTLEMEN'S TWEED OVER- P youth!l worsted single * yB Ru^hF dts^ed single cd breasted sao suits Cj YOUTHS' TWEED TROUBERS AND P3 VESTS fH YOUTHS' MACINTOSH COATS ~ I YOUTHS' TWEED OVERCOATS Q C BOYS' WORSTED SAC SUITS M BOYS' TWEED SAC SUITS rr, BOYS' WORSTED SAC COATS C£ BOYS' TWEED TROUSERS AND CD VESTS t^- BOYS' TWEED TROUSERS S gg^^SStf 8 TWEED d I iSls^s tTled ' j j SUITS W I SMALL BOYS' MAN.O'-WAR SUITS 53 SMALL BOYS' JERSEY SUITS BLACK BROADCLOTH AND DOE- P3 blue Venetian and diagona! p BLUE AND BLACK WORSTED O W°EST T OyGf NGLAND AND SCOTCH MOSmEL SANP HOSJA'N TWEEDS SILK: AND WOOJ, VOTINGS WHITE MAUCEI.LA VOTINGS So,, Sep., ka. REMEMBER I 1. The Goods are nil marked in pla figures, and are good value at tho marked pncv 2. The Stock i» New, Seasonable, an V'oll assortod. 3. The Nama of the House is a sufllo'ent guarantee that First-class Goods only wlk be •fifcred. , *. For every Pound's worth purchased 20 per cent (four shillings in tho pound) will be re turned to ready-money purchasers. j 6. Aa such advantages are obtainable .only , once perhaps in a lifetime, it is desirable tolnoto the addroßs and make an early inspection. William Rat tray, CLOTHIER AND GENERAL DRAPER, NEW ZEALAND HOUSE, 178, 180, AND 182, QPKEN-BTREET, AUCKLAND (Fear doors, belaw the New Sayings Bank), TfURE! FIEE! < FIBE !I f The Northumberland haying arrived with T M°M ASTER'S NEW SEASON'S DRAPERY AND CLOTHING, the sale of smoke-stained Goods MUST SOON BE BROUGHT TO A CLOSE. Persons Debibiho GREAT BARGAINS call this week at T. Mo M A S T ER' S, QUEEN-STREET (opposite the market). TIT ANTED KNOWN-750. Pairs 2- T T button, Light-coloured, Josephine Kid Gloves, 2s par pair, regular price 4a 9d, These Goods are not damaged.—S. Coomboa a«d Co.; Qncon-strept, DBMOVAL OF BUSINESS. jyjlLNE^j QHOVCE Respectfully Announce that THBIR PREMIERS wjll be I CLOSED CLOSED ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, MARCH 28th AND 29TH, FOR REMOVAL OK STOCK TO THE NEW BUILDINGS, WELLESLEY AND LORNE-STREKTS, Where Business will bo CARRIED ON PUWKG TJJS RB-BUILDING OF THEIK QUEEN-STREET PREMISES. AH7ANTED KNOWN-We have~fitill T T left about R.OOO yards White Calico, at 2Jd yard, from the recent flro.-S. Coombea and Co., Queen-street __ GREAT BARGAINS IN BLANKETS, FLANNELS, JACKETS, ULSTERS, &o. TXTILUAM ~O TMUDGMAN W TT.T.TAM- JtV. JjRIDGMAN Has just opened m> a Splendid Lot ol New Goods for the Winter Season, exceptionally well bought, and will be sold at a very moderate advance to meet the times. 300 Pairs New Blankets, all sizes and quali ties, from 6s 6d pair, having been bought con siderably under usual rates, will be Bold cheap, and cannot be beaten. BOUGHT A JOB. Nearly Two Hundred (£200) Pounds worth of Ladles' and Girls' Ulsters and Black Cloth Jackets, whioh will bo SOLD AT and UNDER WAREHOUSE PRICES; some very choice Goods in Dolmans, tea. Qiris' Jackets, from 3s 9d; Ladies' Heavy Ulsters, from 6s lid 2,000 yards Flannels, all makes, from 7Jd yard Colonial Flannel, Il}d; 32in. Heavy Welsh, Is Bid, worth 2s £0 Coloured Alhambro Quilts, 2s 6d Special Value In Grey Calicoes, S2ln., 2?d yd Choice Patterns in New Cretonnes, ojd yard, worthed Strong Worsted i-head Super Fingering Yarn, Zsnead Nice Assortment New Dress Goods, from 3id Boys' Strong Tweed Trousers, Ss 9d; Men's Tweed Trousers, la lid 30 Men's Strong Tweed Coats, Ss lid, ipl'd Talus New Winter Goods In all Departments Job Lines in great variety, and lot of Remnants, -. very cheap, and worflur of Inspection Floorofoth, In all widths, from 2715., fid yard. JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, UPPER QVEBN-STBEET.