SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

TTTntr miTTO /This Evening. "-'.SI HIGH WATER jxo morrow Murnlng, b.-l BUNSET.—This Evening. AW BUNRISK-To-morrow Morning, 7.11 MOON'S AGE.—New .Moon, 23rd, 0.-3 a.m.

LAST EVENING.

Waltakl, 8.5.. Crawford, from Whangarel Macgregor, s.s., Johnson, from Whangarel Glonolg, 8.5., Stephenson, from Tauranga Rowoim, s.s., Scott, from Barrier

DEPARTURES.

Southern Cross, s.s.. Hutchinson, for Gisboruo lona. 5.8., Amodeo, for llokianga Neptune, s.s., Mustard, for Mercury Bay

TC-DAY. Neptune, brig, Cozens, for Nowcastle Christina, sen., Kvanson, for Russell Maria Virginia, brigantinc, Law, for Kalpora Rowena, s.s., acott, for Mercury Bay

IMPORTS.

Ex s.B. Arcyle. from Waitara: 20 kegs fresh butter.—G. W. Binncy.

Inwards Coastwise.—Zillah. from Thnmes, with 'JJ.OOOft. timber, 2 tons gum.

Outwards Coastwise.—Funny Kelly, for -Vlongonui.

The s.s. Glcnelg arrived from Tfciuranga late yesterday, and left again for that pore at 8 p.m.

The s.s. Mucgregor returned from Whanßarel last-evening with tho Allowing passengers :— Mr and Miss McLean. CSrter, Edwards, Wilson nnd 2 steerage.

The barque Glance hauled off from the wharf this morning preparatory to sailing for Java.

The brigantinc Ransom was brought alongside of the ship Rangiiikei to-day for the purpose of transhipping her cargo of copra.

The ferry steamer Dovonpovt when proceed ing from AucMand to Woodsido at 4 p.m. yesterday, became unmanageable through tho breaking of her crank shaft She had to bo towed back to tho wharf, and has been since laid up, while ono of the North Shore boats has been 'put on In her stead.

. The cutter Fawn has been purchased by Mossrs E.R. Cardno and W. J. Hurst, and will leave shortly for tho Island of Tavil for the pur pose of securing some oil in coflk lost them by wreckage.

The s.s. Waltakl arrived from Whangarel last evoning with 117 tons coal, IS sacks gum, 206 snoop, lo'kogs butter, and 8 hhds ale. Passen gers : Mesdamos Tucker, Patterson, Weir, Wil liams, Urden, Henry and child, Misses Watson, Kelly, McLcod, Messrs Ncal, Marsden, Dlokey, Forbes, Patterson, Miteholson. Seccombo, Row. Weir, Swan. Smith, Beollie. Fairburne, Har graves, Urden, Claydon, Reld, Teesdale, Sim son, Stokes, McKay, Hoyo, Telfer. McDonald, West. Burton and son, Captain Anderson, (.'apt. Hopkins, and G in tho steerage.

RAISING OF THE BARQUE PROSPECTOR.

Newcastle, July 0.

Tho dolay in raising the barquo Prospector was caused by a leak having boon sprung through tho deck beams, and the docks having sunk front 9 to 18 inches, sumo of the beams having been broken across. This opened the deck scams, and the wator poured through. A largo centri fugal pump having beon procured from Sydney, operations were recommenced on Tuesday night, at 11 o'clock, and at half-past 3 this morn ing all the water was got out. She was then left till high wator, at 10 a.m. to-day, when she was taken in tow by the Drone and Adeline, and beached at Stockton, an anchor having beon previously laid ont for her thore. Great credit is due to the dirers.Mcssrs Nlcol, Bee son, and Jone3. for the manner in which they have executed all the works entrusted to then), including the placing of tho props, and all other work under wator. Owing to the flood In the river muddying the water, the werk had to bajaone In total darkness; in fact, literally speaking, at times they could hardly see their hands before their face Mr Hickson Is about to call for tenders for the purchase of the barque no she now lies.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Russell, this day.—Arrived: lona, from Auckland, 9 a.m.

Gisbobnk, this day. — Arrivod: Te Anau, from Auckland, noon.

WuiftiNOTOX, this day.— At Honda: Zea landia, ship, Capt. Phillips, £0 days from London.

WKixiNcrroy. ycstojddj-.—Arrived: Tamsui, s.s^from Foo Chow. __Vttelton. yesterday.—Arrived: Firth of Alma, '.roni London.

SyDNBV. July 17.—Sailed, tills afternoon Australia, for San Francisco, via Auckland.

London, July 16.—Arrived-: City of Nankin, from Lyttelton (April 2). .

COMMERCIAL.

,Kvknino Star Office, this day. SIR ALFRED BUCKLAND'S WEEKLY REPORT. At the Haymmrket, on Friday last, fodder brought from 2s 6d to 4s 3d tho cwt; oaten chaff, £5 to £510s; whoaton straw, £4 the ton ; oats, 2a 3d to 2s 8d; maize. 4s 33 to 4s 7d tho bushel. Horse stock was In less numbers than usual, but at late values. At tho bide and skin sale, on Tuesday, prices for hides showed an improvement in values, and ranged from 3d to B_d the lb.; tallow, .5. to 28s tho owt.; sheepskirls, Is 9d. to 2s lOd each; wool, s}d to Bid the lb. The cattle in the country sales are with tho reason limited in number, but prices for all stock brought forward are better than a few monUis since, particularly for young dairy stock. At Remuero, on Thursday, dairy cattle were very poorly represented. Those brought forward sold well. Fat cattle were In full numbers and generally of good quality. Pricos were equal to those obtained last week, ranging t -om 23s to 26s the lOOlbs. Store sheep were in fair inquiry; ewes in low con dition brought 8s; wethers, lis 9d each. Fat sheep in fullnHmbers, and lower In price. 1b to ■3s each. Pi. ■in less than usual numbers, and of good quality, bat lower in price than for many weeks. Some averages were: 46 steers, J. R. Gould, £10.2s 6d; 7 steers, Grico and Parker. £10 ss; 16 steers, T. R. Dlprose, V 29 12s; 16 steers. A. Bruce Suttor, £9359 d ; 8 steers, S. AUen, £3 7s 64. MESSRS nCNTER AND NOLAN'S WEEKLY REPORT. Hoises: Thero has been but a moderate amount of business done, and prices showed little alteration. At the Durham Yards, on Fri: day, there was over an average number of entries. Tflbre wai steady competition through out the sale, nnd tho previous week's prices -wore given. Wo quote: Hacks. from £. to £27 10s ; __ght harness horses, from £9 to £16 ; me dium draught, £24. Wool, hides, and skins : There has been a fair supply of hides as regards number, bat no first-class ones- were brought forward. Prices ranged from 2}d to 3}d p6rlb ; skins. Is 6d to 2s 6d each. Cattle: There has been an average' nuiribor -of aU descriptions yarded. The demand has been steady, consequently there has been little or no noteworthy alteration in value. Scarcely an averago number of fat store boasts were yarded, but there were a good many dairy cows. Values were the same as the previous week. The fat beasts were ci ther ship-borne or local, the excep tion being a truck from Mr Dlprose, from Hamil ton, which averaged £8 2s 6d, and one from Mr Hansford, from the same place, averaging £713s Ed. Sheep: The Newmarket Yards were again well illled. TUBro was good competition through out the sale, and prices had rather an upward tentlencf1; although 23s 6d was given for best wethers, they were not nearly so good sheop as on tho previous week obtained a like figure. Ewes sold at frojn 9s 6d to 17s. Pigs were in adequate supply and steady demand, at tho previous week's values.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

July 18,188 L Abbott'i Opera House—"Rip Van Winkle/ 7.15 P.m. Theatre Royal - " Arora Floyd." 8 p.m. Choral HaU—Benefit Concert to Herr Call Schmltt.Bp.ra. Alexandra-street School-room—Members ot Thespian Dramatic Club, 7.30 p.m. Pitt-street Wesloyan School-room — Local Preachers, 7.80 p.m. St Jamea's Hall—Mr Swanson and Electors, 8 p.m.

Walte's Mount Eden Hall —Mr Tola and Electors. 8 p.m. Epsom Hall—Mr F. Lawrjand Electors, 7 p.m, Sir G.M. O'Rorkeand Electors—Panmure Hall' 7.30 p.m. Mr FarnaU and Electors of Waitemata— Devonport BUI, 7.30 p.m.

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

Mailb will Globb as undebi— ■-~ This Day. For Whitiangi and Upper Mil!, per Roweiia, at 5 p.m. For Wangarel Heads. Parua, Waipu, Wan. garei. liamo, T^ngihua and Mangapal, per Macgregoror Waitabi, at 6 p.m. For Thames, per Enterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Saturday, 19th inst For Waterford, Tauranga, See, per Roto mahana, at 9 a.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana. at 9.30 a.m. For Waltara and Southern Ports, per Argyle, at ■ 11 a.m. For Waiwera, Mahurangi, Matakana, Manga wai, etc., per Rose Casey, at 16 a.m. Monday, 21st inst For Coromandel. per Coromandel. at 11.30 a.m. For Russell, Kawakawa, &«., per Manapourl, at 4p.m. * For Tauranga, Ohlnemutn, and Opotlkl, per Wellington, at 5 p.m. For Whitiangi and Upper Mill, per Neptune or Rowena, at 5 p.m. Tuesday, 22nd mat Per b.s. Australia 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,**lP-ffi. . ■:. .■ I . For money orders, registered letters and ewspapers, at U.S&a.m. Lata letters, bowing an ortre tee of six pence In addition to the postage, -will be received by the Mail Agent .on board the steamer np to the tijpa ot sailing. This mall will be due in London on Sat urday, August 80th, 1881. N.B.—The s.B. Rnapehu will leave Lyttolton, for London, via Rio d» Janiero and Plymouth, •n Saturday. 20th instant Expected length of passage, 88 days. 8. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster. Chief Post-offlco, Auckland:

Deaths.

LONER.—On July IS, William John, son|of John Loner; aged 9 moii'hs. —' Tho funornl will leave hll bite residence .Arthur-street, Ponsonby, at 3 o'clock on Sun day. Friends pleaso accept this intimation. MACDUFF.—At Hamilton, on July 12th, 1881, of hoart disease, Amos Macduff; aged 38 yoars. Son-in-law of Mr J. E. Jones, or Otahuhu.—Thames and Homo papers please copy. RAMSAY.-On July It', at John-street, Pon sonby, Harry Allan Kainsay. son of John Ranipay; aged 10 yearß and 9 months.

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

FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1884.

For the cause that tacks assistance. For the wrong that sMds reslstanoa. For the future In the distance. And the good that we can do.

Mr. J. M. Dargavillk has issued the following postal card to every elector in City West :—

"Auckland West Election.— Dear Sir,— Tuesday next, 22nd, is polling day. An attempt is to bo mode on that day, by a Fowevful combination, torbxclude mo from arliament, as a punishment for having freely spoken my sincere convictions in the House last year, and for having exposed the corrupt practices by which tho present Ministry Wo kept themselves in office so long. Please do not neglect voting, as a single vote may decide tho contest; and be careful to come to the polling booth (St. James's Hall) oarly, becauso thore will pro bably bo v rush as six o'clock approaches, and voters may bo excluded through being too lato.—Yours faithfully, J. M. Darija- VILI.E."

This appeal contains one of the catch cries that are being used in tho election for City West, and, in pursu ance of our task of laying tho plain issues in each contest before tho elec tors, it is our duty either to clour it away or verify it. With a thorough knowledge of the whole facts, we have not tho slightest hesitation in saying rtiat there is not a word of truth in its main allegation. The reforei.ee is evi dently to Mr. Dargavillo's attack on Major Atkinson in tho sossion of 1883, when he fell into tho most extraordi nary series of blundors over perpetrated by a public man. It is too long a story to enter into tho discussion of that subject now; we dealt with it fully at tho timo, and the unanimous verdict of tho Committee of tho House, tho Opposition mombers of it (including Messrs. Macandrew and Montgomery) joining with the rest, sufficiently dis posed of it. There is not the shallow of a reason for belioving that it has had anything whatever to do with tho pio sent contest for City West, and Mr. Dargavillo of course knows that better than anyone else. Tho chief promoters of the requisition to Mr. Swansonwere Mr. David Goldie and Mr. Holdship, and their sole reasons, we believe, woro want of faith in Mr. Dargavillo politi cally, and their conviction that the in dustrial interests would suffer through the loss of Mr. Swanson's sorvices in tho House of Representatives. It iB absurd to suppose that either of thorn cares ono fig about tho embroglio of tho session before last, or would wish to exclude Mr. Dargavillo from tho House for speaking " his sincere convictions " or " exposing corrupt practices," when ever he may find it in his heart to do so. This is just electioneering ground bait, to catch flats with.

Tho violent personal attacks ma Jo by Mr Dargaville in tho course of this election, and his attempt to stir up animus against Mr Holdship, Mr Firth, and othor large employers of labour, have been in the worst possible taste. Wfi are perfectly satisfied that any ono of theso gentlemen would compare favourably with Mr Dargaville in their relations with the working classes, and also in the assistance they have given to the industries of Auckland. During the course of the contest wo have received counter-charges of a strong kind from former employes of Mr. Dargaville, but have refused them publication. Every large employer must, in tho course of years, have dis putes with wodonen, and bo subject to misrepresentation; but if tho work ing men of City West possess anything like the common sense wo crodit them with, they will see the shallowness of these charges and tho motives with which they have been made, and will estimate them at their true valuo. Men who have built up such manufac tories as the Auckland Timber Com pany's mill are not the enemies of the working men ; and Mr. Firth's generous treatment of his employes is known to everyone who knows any-, thing at all about the matter. Surely Mr. Dargaville is mistaken in suppos ing that the electors of Auckland West require, as a first qualification in their representative, recklessness -in defama tion and slander.

Having disposed of these appeals to class prejudices, and attempts to stir up bad feeling, which have given an unenviable distinction to this election among the city and suburban contests, we come to th« real issue which is now before the electors. And that lies in a nutshell. It is not a question whether Mr. Holdship or Mr. Firth is a model employer. These false scents are very cleverly introduced to distract attention from the only subject that the people need concern themselves about, namely—whether Mt Swanson or Mr. Dargaville is the better man to represent the constituency. And, tried purely upon his merits, Mr. Swanson is a very hard nut to crack. Hia public services go so far back that it would be impossible, within the space at our disposal, to give anything like an outline of them. Foremost among the number, however, is the part ho has taken in the establishment of the present national system of education. Sixteen years ago, in conjunction with Mr. E. J. Creighton, then Provincial Secretaiy, Mr. Swanson was instru mental in securing the passing of tho first Common Schools Act contain ing the essential principles of tho system which has sines been adopted by the whole colony, and for many years he took an active part in its administration. Suffering in early life from the want of such advantages as are now enjoyed by tho poorest in the community, and having to acquire laboriously in later life the extensive literary knowledge which he now pos sesses, Mr. Swanson seized the idea upon which all powerful Demo cracies must be based — the duty of the State to educate the people. It is upon this subject that he frows most earnest and eloquent, and is services to education have well earned the gratitude of New Zealand. The promotion of local industries by modifications in the tariff is another matter in which Mr. Swanson has ren dered most important service; the exis tence of many industries now is en tirely due to his action in this matter. Having a thoroughly practical mind, and making the work a hobby, all his suggestions commanded the attention of the House. Speaking only rarely, and then with characteristic force and energy, Mr. Swanson is one of the few' .old members who fill the Chamber whep he rises to speak on any subject, and fleayi.ng the leaders of parties out of count) he possesses more personal influence than any other member in

Parliament. Thoroughly versed in every form of Parliamentary procedure, fapiliar with the working of every committee, always in his place, ho rarely fails in getting through any work he undertakes, and his advice and as sistance are sought by members from all parts of the colony who have mea sures in hand. He is the oldest mem ber of the Public Petitions Committee, to whose decision are committed all popular grievances, and the number of wrongs and hardships he has been suc cessful in redressing in the course of thirteen years of continuous Parlia mentary life would distinguish his, career as one of eminent usefulness. Mr. Swanson has on more than one occasion had a Ministerial portfolio either in his gift or open for his accep tance, but his ambition has never lain iv that direction. It is the practice to defame public men, but even op ponents who are animated by any sense of fairness, must acknowledge that Mr. Swanson's public life has been singularly practical in its aims, fruitful, and free from self-seeking. He is a working man essentially in origin, in sympathies, and in habits of life. Mr. Swanson was always identified with the popular party in Provincial po litics ; his hold upon the working popu lation was so strong that it was con sidered useless to oppose him; and this is the first contested election ho has engaged in for many years. A good deal of capital has been made against him in the transfer of his sup port to the Atkinson Ministry, but vory unfairly. Mr. Swanson was in the House of Representatives four years before Sir George Grey entered it, and had supported tho party to which Major Atkinson belonged. Attracted by Sir George Grey's prin ciples, ho transferred his support to the Opposition leader, and, without pjedgo of any kind to his constituents, con tinued to support him as I'remior and leader of tho Liberal Party up to tho timo of his defeat. On tho ro-assoni bling of the now Parliament after dis solution, Mr. Swanson again gave his vote for maintaining Sir George Grey as the head of the Government, but through treachery among thoir Otago supporters tho Ministry wore defeated. Thou followed intrigue, by which Sir Goorge was forced out of the leader ship and Mr. Macandrew nominated as Premier, Mr. Montgomery as Trea surer, Mr. Sheehan as Native Minister, and other scratch niembors from among the conspirators in tho other portfolios. Mr. Swanson narrated in his hustings speech a conversation which ho had with Sir George Grey before withdraw ing his support from tho new Macau diow party. Ho was doubtless in fluenced by tho disclosures made by tho Hall Government of tho million deficit on tho previous year's revenue, and resolved to tako a decisive step in what ho believed to ho tho interests of Now Zealand. Before doing so, how ever, ho secured tho interests of Auck land by pledging the Hall Ministry in tho famous "compact," which provided that in any re-adjustment of the repre sentation, the number of members from Auckland should not ho reduced ; that tho Education Act should be loft undisturbed; that a return should bo mado showing the amounts spoilt from public works loans in each provincial district, and that any deficiency to the Auckland district would bo made good; and finally, that an additional member should be granted to Auckland in tho Ministry. All these promisee were kept, except tho new member of the Cabinet, which none of " the Four " would accept, and for which there was no other, suitable claimant among the Auckland supporters of the Govern ment. The million loan for tho North Island trunk railway has always been regarded as the compensation duo to Auckland to irtako good her deficiencies out of former loans. Dospito tho tissue of misrepresentations with which it has been surrounded, we bolievo the results of Mr. Swanson's action on that occa sion have been beneficial to tho whole colony, and especially to Auckland.

Mr. J. M. Dargaville, who opposes Mr. Swanson in this election, is a man of a totally different stamp in every respect. Ho likes to remind " the gods " occasionally that he has been v " bank inspector," and to speak of his gonerous treatment of the men he has had in his employ. All his personal and private associations have been as different from these of Mr. Swanson as chalk differs from cheese. The latter has always consorted, and still consorts, with the industrial classes ; the former is the habituo of swell clubs, lawn tennis grounds, and Go vernment House balls. In political careers also they have differed as much as in social habits. Mr. Dargaville was the earliest and most persistont oppo nent of Sir George Grey in Auckland. Ho was a rival candidate for the Supcrintendency, ho was the chief opponent of his policy in the Provincial Government Council, and seriously em barassed it, and he afterwards came into personal conflict with him in a matter that estranged them for many years, but to the circumstances of which we need not refer further hero. Tho first semblance of political union was on the introduction of the Property Tax Act, which came with crushing weight Upon wealth. Mr. Dargaville then joined in the opposition to that tax, but has never identified himself as a personal follower of Sir George Grey. When called forward at Sir George Groy's last meeting in the Theatre Royal he distinctly declared that he was " not a Greyite but a Dargavillite;" and again on tho hustings last Wednesday, ho statod plainly that he would not un dertake to follow any man. Mr. Dar gaville doos not disguise tho fact that he assumes to lead and not to follow. Ho openly acknowledges his ambition to get a seat on the Ministerial benches, and will not sink his individuality. Of course he does not object to got as many votes from the supporters of Sir George Grey in City West as he can secure ; and he has traded upon their enthusiasm by appearing on tho plat form with their political leader, and allowing his supporters to identify him as much as they please with that party. But he has always taken caro in his public utterances that, while profit ing by the Grey support, ho shall not be hampered by any responsibility to the leader of the party. Ho has dis-' tinctly and many times repudiated any such responsibility. To support his candidature as a Greyite in the face of these repeated declarations is of course absurd; the electors would be simply bamboozling and hoodwinking them selves. Probably 110 man in the House of Representatives, except per haps Mr. Wakefield, with whom Mr. Dargaville was working in perfect amity last session, is less in sympathy with Sir George Grey on all questions of general politics, outside the land tax, than Mr. Dargaville. The present basis of union between them is their common opposition to the Atkinson Government. ' Electors of City West who are inveterately opposed to Major Atkinson Would consistently vote for Mi. Dargaville as an Oppositionist ; but they would not be justified there-'

fore in classing him as a personal sup porter of Sir Georgo Grey; and Mr. Dargaville would rightly repudiate any such idea hampering his freedom of action after tho defeat of the Atkinson Ministry. It is proper that the electors should understand this clearly before the polling, because Mr. Dargaville would be at perfect liberty to join Sir Julius Vogel or any new combination that might follow the defeat of the Ministry, without laying himself open to the charge of ratting.

It would be inconsistent were we not tosayiiiMr.Dargaville's caso,asin those of other memberSj that we believe a measure of freedom is necessary in the oxisting complication of partios; we only wish to make it perfectly clear that the relationships of Oppositionist and Ministerialist which now exist as between Mr. Dargaville and Mr. Swan son may be reversed immediately after the meeting of Parliament. No one can foresee or guard against what will happen, and the electors do all that it is possible for thorn to do when they re turn the best men of those from whom a choice is permitted. We supported Mr. Dargaville at the last election be cause we bolieved him to bo the most able of the three candidates; we oppose his return this time because he is con fronted by a bettor man. We believe Mr. Swanson's past sorvieos give him a paramount claim on the electors of Auckland. We believe hu capabilities for good are greater than those of any other candidate who is waiting tho de cision of tho electors on Tuesday next. We undertook to indicate definitely, and in plain terms, who among the candidates for popular favour are the most worthy of it; and, looking at tho matter in a most dispassionate way, there seems no room for two opinions. A continuous political career of thirteen years in Parliament, and a much longer period in the Provincial Council, should givo material enough for forming a judgment, and tho conclusion is in evitable and emphatic that Mr. Wii.i.ia.m Swanson is in every way worthy to represent City West or any other con stituency iv New Zealand.

The Unearned Increment.

Do thoso peoplo who cheer to tho echo tho advocates of a land tax know what it moans? Numbers, wo know, nro in a state of Egyp tian darkness on tho subject; they speak of it as " tho honoured Inkormann," and seem to have about as clear a conception of its meaning as hail the dear old lady who wont into raptures over "that blessed word, Mesopotamia," To such wofearall attempt at explanation will prove vain. But there are largo numbers of intelligent men who are Carried away by tho plauslblo cry of taxing the land and sparing the pooplo — "seizing tho unearned incromout," and at one stroke redressing all tho In equalities of lifo. Wo aro reminded of tho existence of the hitter class, and of tho fact that many of thorn may labour undor seriouß misconception in regard to tho sub ject, by tho following list of queries pro pounded by i correspondent signing himself " Enquirer":—

Will you kindly tell what is moant by tho unearned increment?

1. Is it that all properties, largo or small, are to bo taxed on their increased valuoj whether by inllux of population or expendi ture of public monoys? 2. Is there to bo compensation on a rollux of population and docreaeed values? 3. Will it apply to original buyors only, or will thoso who havo paid enhanced prices havo to pay *

The "unourned increment," as our corre -B]K)iulent indicates in his first question, is that part of land value which has accrued from growth of population and oxecutiun of public works. To got n t the true propor tion, the wholo of the land on which the city of Auckland ia built would bo appraised at Its "prairie value," or "unimproved value," mid the diU'orenco botwoon that and the present market valuo would constitute tlio unearned incromont. In answor to the socond question, those who favour a land tax do not propose to give compensation from tho Stato funds whon proporty falls iv valuo; but (to answer tho last quostion in tho samo sentence) to tax all land owners, whether they havo profited by population and public works or not (exempting only improve ments). Tho land .tax would apply oqually to city and township allotments as to largo estates in tho country, and, indeed, would press most honvily in tho cities, whore the growth of valuo, unearned by the owner?, lias been tho greatest. To illustrate : The country magnato, with a " run " of 100,000 acrofl, if taxed on tho unearned in crement, might pay no tax at all, bocauso his proporty would bo just prairie land, whilo tho working man who owns a city allotmont of 33ft frontage will be taxed on its increased value. Such is tho principle, and it must bo confessed that, looked at in this light, tho land tax doos not deserve to bo credited with " bursting up " powers. Its direct tondonoy is rothor to tax tho town, whore lands have been greatly onhancod by thoincroaso in imputa tion, for tho benefit of tho country. It will, of course, bo Been that there nro a grout variety of ways in which the land tax can bo applied, so it is neeossary to find out from candidates their particular pro posals on the subject. All the utterances of Auckland candidates havo been very in definite, and thoncr, no doubt.arises tho lack of information in tho public mind. In our roplios it must be understood that we have taken as tho model Sir George Grey's Land Tax Bill. A Canterbury can didate, who claims to follow Sir George Grey in regard to tho land tax, thus stated his views the other day :—" As to tho mode of incidonce, he did not approvo of an acre age tax, nor a progressive tax, but a tax on land values. A standard value should bo fixed, say £6 per aero, and then it should bo considered how much tho land had benefited through the unearned increment, i.e., an increased value caused not by tho expendi ture of tho owner's capital or by his ndustry." This corresponds with our illustration of the working of the tax ; and it will bo scon that tho progressive land tax (which is tho only method of " bursting up" large estates and encouraging peasant pro prietary) is directly repudiated. Working men need therefore bo In no doubt as to what is meant by taxing tho "unearned increment." It means, as against the pro perty tax, that tho wealthy classos nro to bo relieved of tho present sovore impost lovied upon them, and that, unloss there is a liberal exomption, tho industrial classes and small property owners nro to be taxed much more heavily than at present. In addition to tho Land Tax, it would bo necessary, for revenue purposes, to havo an ineomo tax, as announced tif Sir Georgo Groy in tho Governor's speech prior to the defeat of his Goverment, and again advocated at his rocont meeting in Otahuhu. Uudor that tax, as Mr Do Loutour explained at Pon sonby, he proposed to take the bare amount on which a working man could live without luxuries, as tho minimum. That is to say, supposing £100 a year to be the standard adopted, a man who received £3 a week would pay on £56 in addition to any assess ment under the Land Tax. In England employers of labour aro made responsible for returns undor tho ineomo tax with res poet to all men in their employ.

The suggestion has repeatedly been made that some portion of next Tuesday should bo declared a public holiday, in order that working mon might havo the fullest oppor tunity of exercising their voting privileges. Up till tho present time no action has boon taken in tho matter, but at the meeting of tho Council lust evening Cr. Devore impressed upon His Worship the desir ability of declaring the polling day a holi day. Cr. Masefield considered that, the speaker was out of order, whilo Cr. Burns opposed the proposal. The Mayor said a half-holiday hud been suggested to him, and if tho rutepayors culled upon him to declare the afternoon of Tuesday a holiday ho would be prepared to do so.

At a meeting of tho Pnkuranga Hunt Club this afternoon, several new members wore elected, and it was agreed that tho hounds should bo sent up Waikato on Mon day week.

Our weekly market price list is unavoid ably held over. Buttor remains at last quotation, but eggs have declined to Is 3d per dozen wholesale, and Is (id per dozon retail. The gum market is quiet, with no chango worthy of notice. Tho month's re ceipts to date amount to about 220 tons.

Plans have been prepared by tho City Engineer for a foot-bridge ucross the Comotery gully at a cost of £900 or £1,000. Tho drawings wore placed before tho Council last night and referred to the Streets Committee.

Major Atkinson was specially unlucky in speaking of "depopulation" before an Auckland audience. The vital statistics for tho month of Juno show that while there wero 103 births in tho city, tlicro wero only !_"> deaths. As a contrast to this, Dunedin had 63 births and 38 deaths.

Mr R. 11. Webb has boon appointed Chairman of Canterbury Board ol Educa tion, in room of Mr lnglis, who resigned because of ill health.

Tho Star Monthly Summary for the outgoing San Francisco mail will bo isßuod to-morrow, and presented gratis to all our subscribers. In addition to the summary of the news of tho month, it will contain further chapters of the serial talo, " Hand und Ring," Sporting and Garden informa tion, a snort complete story, and various interesting articles. The mail steamer Australia sailed yester day afternoon from Sydney for this port en route for Honolulu and San Francisco. She leaves here with the Auckland mails on the afternoon of Tuesday next. Auckland is said to take the lead among colonial cities in tho consumption of "square gin," and she would appear to havo a like partiality for " the cup that cheors but not inebriates." The Bteamer Tainsui, which arrived at Wellington from China yesterday, brought 350 tons of tea for Auckland, while the quantities for other ports were : —240 tons for Wellington, 120 for Nelson, 12* for Lyttelton, and 160 for Dunedin. Mr J. E. Macdonald, Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, will, it is expected, return to Auckland on Monday noxt from the Waikato,

Tho fortnightly met ting of tho Vfasto Lands Board was hold yesterday afternoon, but tho business was unimportant.

A difficulty has arisen between the tram way authorities uud the cabmen in refer ence to tho occupation of tho cabstands. Tho trams having commenced running yesterday, Inspector Ooldie, at t!io instance of tho Tramway Company, gave notice to the cab-drivors to vacate tho stands. Tho majority refused to do so, and their names wero takon and submitted to tho City Council last night. Tho matter has been referred to tho City Solicitor, the Mayor giving notice that he would move nt tho noit meeting that the by law appointing tho present cabstands bo rescinded, and tho appointmont of now ones considered.

Mr David Norrio, who was recently con ducting services for tho Presbyterians at Ellorslio, has received from them and other friomls in tho district a testimonial in tho shopo of a parse of sovereigns.

There was a largo attendance at tho I'on sonby Hall last evening, when v concort was given in aid of tho funds of a proposed bazaar for tho Sisters of Morcy, Ponsonby. Amongst tho host items wero tho violin solo by Heir Tutschka, accompanied by Mr Angela Forrest, and tho songs rendorod by Miss Halstoad and Mrs Brassey, all being oncorod. The programme was as follows: Trio, " Moraory," Misses Culpan, Brassey, and Mr Edwards ; "Yeoman's Wedding," Mr Knox; "Speed On," Miss Richardson ; solo (piano), " Pasquinade Caprico," Op. 59, Mr Aiigolo Forrest; "I Only Live to Love Thoe," Miss Darby ; duot, "Homo to Our Mountains," M isscs Halstoad and Brassey; violin solo, Horr Tutschka, accompanied by Mr Angolo Forreßt; "Sllvor Rhino," Mr A. Fnrquhar; pianoforte duot, "Oboron," Misses Mitmotti and Darby; duet, "Tho Moon has Raised," Messrs Knox and Edwards ; PJ£'>o solo (selected), Miss Minnotti; "Tho Message," Mr Hyams; " Say not Farewell," Miss Hal-toad ; reci tation, " Curfew Bell," Mr A. Cohen; " Carrinsima," MUs Culpan ; "Come into tho Harden, Maud," Mr Edwards; piano solo (soloctcd), Mr Angelo Forrest; "Tho Vision," Miss Brassey; "God Savo tho Qucon."

Tho half-voarlv meeting of tho United Ancient Order of Druids was held in tho Insurance Buildings on Monday. There was a good attendance of brethren proses t. Tho balance-sheet showed tho Druids to bo steadily progressing, and though only a little mora than twolvo months in oxi. fence, tho roll totalled a membership of 100 good on tho books. The election of ollicors took placo, with tho following re sult :—Arch Druid, Bro. W. Jennings ; Vice-Arch, Bro. D. McPhorson ; Treasurer, P.A. Bro. A. Kidd; Secretary, Bro. E. Mace; Minute Secretary, Bro. Jos. Clarko; Arch Bards, Bros. Tnpp and Seniors ; Vico- Arch Bards, Bros. Regan and Masters ; OrgnUst, Bro. Recti ; Inner Guardian, Bro. J. Strathearn; Outer Guardian, Bro. J. Jcssop; Auditors, Bros. F. Paul, Jas. Clarke, and Milne. The installation of ollicors will tako plaoe on Monday first, when ovory member is expected to attend.

"Rip Van Winkle" was again producod last night in Abbott's Opora House to an oxcellont audience. Tho opora is justifying our anticipations that it would grow upon acquaintance, and boconio a most popular work with tho publio. Tho audiences, so far from falling off, nro nightly increasing, and giving ovory promise of a long run to this piece. Last night tho production was almost lotter-jiorfoct iv every particular of music, noting, and spectacular offect; and in no opora hitherto produced in this city does thoro exist the same scope for effective display in nil three departments. Tho con trasted iconos of the first and third acts are most realistically managed, whilo in the second, tho sceno among tho haunted hills, with Hondrick Hudson and his phantom crow, is as weird and ghost-like as can be woll imagined. In Rip, a role is given to Mr Appleby which, if deficient in tho oloment of comedy, is fitted to display his high histrionic abilitios, and win him fresh plaudits from tho audience. Wins Ivanovn, who has quite recovered from her lato indis position, was in excellont voice ; and Miss Loaf performed with due coquettish arch ness the part of Katrina. The dancing of tho Misses Martin evoked loud applause, and various "loading solos and chorusos woro loudly encorod. This vory attractive opora will bo repeated to-night.

Tho first mooting of the Domain Board sinco tho control was assumed by the City Council was held last evening at 7 o'olock in tho Couucll Chambors, His Worship tho Mayor presiding. Tho Town Clerk read tho "Gazette" notico transferring the con trol, and also produced tho papers which had been handed ovor by the former Sec retary of tho Board. A leaso to Mr Fonton was missing. A letter was road from T. F. Choeßeman, inquiring tho intentions of tho Council in reference to tho Acclimatisation Gardens, whilo another from H. Colo offered, on bohalf of two Chinamen, £45 a year for tho lease of tho gardens recontly hold by Mr Browin.' On the motion of tho Mayor, tho business of tho Domain Board was handed ovor to tho Park Committee, with tho same powers as the Logal Committoo in connection with tho Park; tho Commltteo to report to the Council monthly, and the meetings to bo held monthly, after the Council meetings. His Worship said tho only arrangement lie had entered into was in reforenco to tho man employed by tho crickotors undor Mr Mumford on tho Cricket Ground. Ho had guaranteed him his wages until such timens the Council assumed control. It was further agreed that an advertisement be inserted in the nowspapors notifying that applications for plants have already excoodod the means of Bupply. A notico of somo importanco to artists is published In our advertising columns. Messrs H. H. Hayr and Co., representing an Australian firm, offer premiums for the bost designs for Xmas cards of Now Zoa land flowers, birds, animals, and characters, Betweon £30 and £50 will bo distributed in prize awards. The local preachers of the several sections of tho Methodist Church are requested to meet in tho school-room of tho Pitt-Btreet Wesloyan Church this evening. Tho Coming Struggle.—Doubtless many of the candidates for Parliamentary honours will trot out tho old,'well worn, but still effeativo, " working man " grievance. Thoy will seek, as thoir predecessors havo done so successfully, to climb over tho heads of the "working men" and the " down-trodden Borfs "to seats in tho Legislature; and once thore the " working man " will fade out of their minds as completely as if he had never exißted. A real friend of the working man is not easy to find among politicians, but he can be found amongst storekeepers, and his name is Eaton, of the Co-operative Store (next the Criterion), Hobson-street. Sco his new lino of splendid Tasmanian Jam at 6d. Californian Flour (501b. bags), at 6s 6d.— [Advt.] Bknefactorb.—" Whon a board of eminent physicians and chemists announced the dis covery that by combining some weH-known valuable remedies a most wonderful medioino was produced which would oure such a wido range of diseases that most all other remedies could bo dispensed with, many were Bcoptical but proof of its merits by aotual trial has dis: polled all doubt, and today the disooverers of that great medicine, Hop Blttors, are honoured and blessed by all as benefactors. Read. Row's General Grocery and Provision Stores, Vlotoriastroet, are brought under your notico as supplying the Best Quality of Orocorles at wholesale prices. Your orders called for and goods delivered in all parts of tho town and I suburbs.—[Advt.] ' ■ ■••

CITY COUNCIL.

Tin. weekly meeting of tho City Council was hold last evening. There wero present —His Worship tho Mayor (Mr W. R. Wad del), in the chair, Crs, Stevenson,Field,Mnc keehnie, Upton, Devore, Rattray, Crowther, Marshall, Montague, La Roche, Fleming, Garratt, Masefield, Holland, Aickin, and Bums. Mb Ui'ton.—The Mayor said that in tho caso of Mr Upton the ordinary courso of introduction had been departed from. Ho was unablo to be present at last meeting i owing to illness, and was sworn in during tho week, in order that ho might bring f forward his notice, and not bo deprived for a week from his rights as a councillor. Ai'olouy.—Cr. Slantaguo apologised for tho absence of Cr. Thompson, who was absent in consequence of nn election mooting. Remission or Rates.—From J. Castlos, asking that tho rates on tho Salvation Army Barracks bo remitted, as the building was used for religious purposes only. —Cr Aickin moved, and Cr Rattray seconded, that the request be granted.—An amend ment by Cr Montaguo that tho application be referred to tho Legal Committee was, however, carried. Crujci/ty to Animals,—Letter from G. N. Brassey, Secretary to the Auckland Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, bringing under the notice of the Council tho fact that the city pound, in common with others in the different road board districts, provides no shelter what ever for animals impounded. Jlo nsktd that some portion of tho pound bo covered in order to provide shelter, or tho Society would bo compollcd to obtain further legislation to enforce tho provisions above-mentioned. -Tho letter was referred to tho Finance Committee.— Cr. Crowther thought a roof over the pound would create n draught, and would do no good. Ho moved ns an amendment, that tho letter bo simply acknowledged. — Cr. Masefield seconded, and said that if they wore to entertain this application, the next request they would have would be to pro vide better food, or food of a high-class character. —The amendment was only nega tived on tho casting vote of tho Mayor.

RIGHT-OF-WAY.— J. M. Speed, on behalf of Mrs Corbott, applied for tho consont of tho Council to a prtvato right-of-way from Lot IB to Caroline-street, as per transfer forwarded. It was meroly a private way to tho promisos of Mrs Corbett, and was tho only access to tho street.—A similar appli cation in reference to tho same matter was receivod from Mr Thorno.—Keforred to the Streets Committee

Sued in" Wkilesi-ey-stiiekt.—A. Lovett applied for n pormit to erect a shed framed of wood and covered with corrugated iron at tho rear of tho brick building now occupied by him in Wei losley-street. Sketch plan enclosed.—Tho application, being contrary to tho building by-laws, was refused.

Ihki.and-stkkkt Levels.—i'oter Derby shire complained that tho levols of Ireland street hud been raised sinco bis house was built, -although beforo tho work was com menced what wore said to bo tho fixed levels wero given to his contractor, who built according t_ thorn. He asked assist ance towards necessary filling in.—The Engineer reported that no alteration had beou mado in tho fixed lovels, and no per sons had paid for or receivod any lovels in Ireland-street. —On tho motion of Cr. Dovoro, tho lottor was referred to tho Streets Committeo.

Snoi'S in Patteson-sthekt.—Honry O. Wado forwarded plans for two shops and dwelling houses to bo orected on lots il and 12 of tin city endowments in Pattoson street, Freeman's Bay for Mr Theo. Cooper ; estimated cost, £000.—Tho Building Sur veyor reported that the plans wero in ac cordance with tho by-laws. Tho plans were approved of. Habohaye-street.—R. A, Mills peti tioned thiough Cr. Dovoro for a footpath to the western portion of this thorough faro. He also pointed out that tho resolu tion of tho Council to lay water pipes in this streot had not been given effect to.— Roccived and referred to the Streets Com mittee.

Cc.sTOJis - ktukkt.—Cr. Montague pre sented a potitkm complaining of tho filthy and neglected state of Customs-street West. They asked for repairs and a foot path, and complained that tho street was mado tho receptacle for the mud scrapings of tho city, and was not patrolled by the police. I'hcy risked that instructions bo given to the constables to patrol the street from sunrise to sunsot. Tho petition was received and reforrod to tho Streets Com mittee.

Bakkr-stkkkt.—Tho residents petitioned that the korbing be comploted and a foot path mado.—Received and referred to Streots Committeo.

Exeter-street. — Cr. Stevenson pre sented a petition praying that Exeter strcct, Karangahape, should bo cut to its fixed lovol and formed.—Received and re ferred to tho Engineer to report to the Council.

Okohokktukkt. — Tho residents com plained of the stato of this thoroughfare, and asked thnt scoria be spread on the clay surface—Received and. referred to tho Streots Committoo.

Lkoal Committee.—This Committee re commended :—(1) Lotter from Secretary to His Excellency the fioveroor representation of four volumes of Dr. Sibson's work to the Free Library : That some bo received with thanks. (2) Memo, from Librarian re peri odicals and papers required to complete hies: Your Committee havo authorised sameas per list submitted, (3) Petitions from residents, Rokeby-Btreot, ro nuisance : That reply be sent that tho Superintendent of tho Police reports that he will endoavour to removo tho cause of complaint as far ns practicable. (4) Lotter from Secretary to Tramway Company ro by-law : That tho stoppigo for tramways in Queen-street be at the inter section of tho following streets, viz., Custom, Fort.Shortlnnd, Durham, Victoria, and Wellcsloy-streotH, and by-law as sub mitted bo approved. (5) Lotter fiom Traffic Manager (C, Hudson) ro cemetery at Wnikomiti: That reply be sent that same will bo considered and referred to City Engi neer to report. (8)Ro books for Free Library: That one copy of Cox's work and two copies of T. W. Gudgeon's work, "History and Doings of tho Maoris,' be authorised to be purchased. Somo discussion took place in roferonco to the fourth clause concerning tho tramway stopping places. Crs. La Roche, Holland, and Montague opposed tho clauso, and thought, in tho intoreate of tho public, that the con venience of the passengers should bo con sidered to a greater oxtont. It would prejudieo tho success of the Company if passengers were only allowed to enter the car or dismount from it at tho corners of streets, and it would be unfair if they woro mado to walk, unnecessarily, tho length of the street. It would bo a convenience to the public to hail a tram-car at any point they pleased. An amendment by Cr. De voro, providing for tho addition of the words, "and such other places in the wes tern circuit as tho Council may from time to timo appoint," was lost. Cr. Montague moved, ns a further amendment, that .the portion of tho clause rolating to stopping places be expunged, but this was also nega tived. The report was adopted without amendment.

Western SraiNns —A supplementary report was received from the Legal Com mittee, as follows :—Re Edgcumbo's land: Your Committee report that after consulta tion with tho solicitor, the necessaiy au thority has been erven to prepare the : conveyance of tho wliolo of Mr Edgcumbe's land, the Council granting a leaso for the 10 acres reserved for a period of 999 years ; and upon the deeds being properly exocuted to the satisfaction of tho solicitor. Your Com mittee recommend the Council to authorise payment of the purchase money.—The report was adopted. Finance Committee.—This Committee recommended :— (1) Letter from J. Lawford re rates, Emily Place : Committee recom mend that Mr Lawford bo allowed to pay a proportion of rates while in occupation.—(2) Letter from J. Williams re remission of rates: That application bo declined.— (3) City Eu gineer'B report re conditions for Town Hall: ommittee consider it advisable to defer consideration of tho rpport until after the Free Library designs are finally decided upon.—The report was adopted. City Enoineer.—The Mayor said that with his concurrence the City Engineer was absent from the Council offices to-night, owing to the fact that he deßired to bo pre sent at tho annual dinner of tho surveyors and architects which was being hold. Any questions which might be asked would be taken notice of, and would be attended to in the morning. Silt.—Cr. Crowther asked by whose authority tho oflioials of tho Council had been sweeping tons of silt into the maiu sewer, seeing that they had already been threatened with an injunction from the Harbour Board. Ho considered that the action was ill-advisod.— Tho Mayor said if Cr. Crowther wished to do so, he might table a vote of censure on tho Enginoor',' but ho had no right or authority to interfere 'with tho officials of the Council at their wprk between meetings of the Council. Questions. — Questions were asked' as follows: Re Grafton drainage' report, by . Cr. La Roche; re plans for kerbing and

channelling in Collingwood-street, by Cr. Masefield ; re tho state of West Queen street, by Cr. Field; re permission of owners of property abutting on bank in Newton road, by Cr. Stevenson. Note was made of these for reference to the Engineor. Steam Roller. — Tho Mayor reported that this machine had arrived, the cost of height and charges amounting to £05 17s 9d. Finance Committee.—The name of Mr Upton, tho recently -olected member for Ponsonby Ward, was added to this Com mittee.

CABLEGRAMS.

[BY CA81.8.-COPYKIGHT.I

[reuter's tkleorams.]

Shocking Railway Accident in England. —Twenty Persons Killed.

London, July 16.—A disastrous accident occurred on tho Manchester, Sheffield, and Lancashire Railway to-day. The axlo of one of the carriages of an express train run ning from Manchester to Sheffield broke, and the train left tho line and fell over an embankment. Twenty persons wore killed, and thirty others sustained severe injuries. Tho Cholera Epidemic in Franco. Pakis, July 10.—The cholera continues to rage at Marseilles and Toulon with unabated vigour. Other parts of Franco are as yet freo from the epidemic. The Allogcd Franco-Chinese Rupture. No information of the rejection by the Chinese Government of tho French demand for an indemnity on account of the Langson afl'air has yet been published here, and tho report to the contrary effect in tho London "Times" today is positively stated to be without foundation. More British Annexation. CAW. Town, July 10.—In tho House of Assembly today, Mr Uppington, Premier, gavo notico of a motion in favour of tho annexation of Zululand. London, July 10. —The Union Bank of Australia has declared a dividend for tho past half-year at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, and carries forward to the reserve £39,000. The assets of the Oriental Bank aro realising hopofully. Tho payment of tho call of £25 will bo required by November, and it is expected that it will realise the sum of one million and a-half.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Received July 18-12.52 p.m.) Is It Small-Pox 1 Meliiodiink, this day.—Further cases of tho doubtful sickness which is now pre valent have occurred at Hotham and Mount Gambier. The patients have boen isolated. The Oriental Bank. Judge Molesworth has made an order to stay the winding-up of tho local affairs of tho Oriental Bank.

ALLEGED HOUSEBREAKING.

(BY TKLEORAI'II—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Taupo, this day. Two swatrgerrf in charge of Constablo O'Connor arrived hero by last night's Napier coach, charged with breaking into t'uo house of Mr King, at Runanga. Thoy were brought before the Residont Magis trate this morning, who has remanded the prisoners until Monday next to enable the prosecutor to appear. Tho weather u_ vory bad, and if something in the shape of repairs U not done to the roads tho coach botweon Napier and Tau ranga will be stopped running.

ARCHITECTS' DINNER.

Til.: annual dinner of tho Auckland Insti tute of Architects was held last night at Mr A. Cairns's, Star Hotel, Albert-street. The tablo was spread with everything tp suit the taste and appetite in Mr Cairns's best stylo. The chair was occupied by Mr W. F. Hammond, and tho vice-chair by Mr H. G. Wnde, Treasurer to tho Institute. The following members wore present:—Messrs k\ \V. Grey (the Secretary), E. Bnrtloy, E. Bell, and B. M. Watt (members of the Council), also Mr G. Fraser, (Froeer and Tinne) and Mr W. Anderson, (City Sur veyors. Selections of music were rendored at intervals during the proceedings by Messrs Reed's excellent string band. At the close of the repast, tho Chairman, having apologisod for the absence of the President, proposed, in patriotic terms, tho health of tho Queen, His Excellency the Governor, and Hiß Worship the Mayor of Auckland Councillor Holland responded for the Mayor, and proposed success to the Auck land Institute of Architects. Tho Chair man responded, and gave a gratifying sketch of its history, and stated that the Committee contemplated ap annual exhibi tion of the works of its members. Tho objict of the Institute was the promotion of civil architecture, which meant the improve ment of tho health of the population. Mr Hammond then proposed the health of Mr E. Mahonoy, their absont President, to which Mr Jas. Baber responded. Tho follow ing toasts were successively drank : —" Tho Ladies," by Mr T. H. White;" "The Society of Arts," Mr E. Bartley, "The Kindred Institutions, viz., The Royal In stitute of British Architects, tho Civil En gineers of Auckland, the Auckland Sur veyors' Institute," Mr Wado. The remain ing toasts were, the "Past Officers of the Instituto," the "Press," "Tho Builders' Association," " Local Manufacturers," "Draughtsmen," "Visitors," "Tho Com mittee, and "Our Host" (Mr Adam Cairns). After a most enjoyable and in tellectual evoning tho company separated,

AUCKLAND RAILWAYS.

At a meeting of tho Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, a letter from Mr Max well, General Manngor for Railways, was read in reply to inquiries previously made by the Chamber re charges on New Zealand railways:—

Tho reason why there aro special rates to the Waikato is because there is competi tion. _ Tho principle of differential rates prevails on all the most successful railways in the world. Tho rates have been raised in certain classes of goods to obtain more revenue. As grain is grown in tho Waikato, a low rate is given to Auckland and Onehunga to give the farmers an opportunity of competing in tho market with imported grain, The proportionate increaso in tho first and second class passenger ratOß is tho same generally. It cannot be expected that tho scales of rates and charges can be inter preted without training and study. The usual practice in other countries, when customers wish to know a rate from Btation to station for certain classos of goods, is to inquire at tho station, as no such compendious tables could be published as are done on the New Zealand railways, whore differential rates are largely used. Tho remarks in tho postscript show how impossible it is to make rules which will be read and understood by everyone. The regulation in the scale runs—" When an alternative charge is specified it is intended that the lower charge shall be taken unless otherwise provided." The postscript notwith standing this clear regulation says that it is left entirely to the Department which rate should be charged." It was considered that the letter was so unsatisfactory that it was decided to defer consideration, and that in the meantime the Committee ap point a deputation to wait upon tho Minister for Public Works, and draw his attention to tho very unsatisfactory reply quoted above.

WATERLOO COURSING MEETING.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—rRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Templeton, this day. Waterloo Purse.—Princees Charlotte beat Street Arab, Queen of Scots beat Bluo Velvet, Skylight beat Braw Lass, Gipsy Maid beat Bell Mahone, Bella Donna beat Royal Charlifl, Loadingly boat Wainui, An son beat Jennie Lind, Grasshopper beat Star of the South, Grannwail beat Mascotto, Bed of Stone beat Spider, Starlight bent Queen of Scots, Grasshopper beat Anson. Waterloo Plate.—Hop Biters beat Sea Foam, Sea Drift beat Richmond 11., Fairy Queen beat Glasgow Cyllic, Horsemarine beat Myrtle. Waterloo Cup.— Bordeaux beat Nancy Lee, Obstacle beat Adamant.

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Meetings To-night.—Mr Swanson holds his first public meeting with the electors of City West in St. James's Hall to-night, and Mr Fnrnall's firet address to the electors of Waitemata will bo delivered to-night in the Devonport Hall, Other meetings take place to-night as under:—Sir G. M. O'Rorke at Panmuro, Mr Tolo at Mount Eden Hull, Mr Hamlin at Pollok, and Mr Lawry at Epsom Hall.

The supporters of Mr Hurst are to meet at Devonport Hall at the close of Mr Far nail's meeting, Mr Tole's Committee meet in tlio Excelsior Hall (Newton), Mr George's friends in the Nowmarkot Hall, and Mr De Lautour's Ponsonby and Arch Hill Com mittees.

Sir George Grey would seem to have re covered from his temporary indisposition, as, instead of departing for Kawau, he is remaining in town and actively interesting Tiimself in electioneering matters. He was announced to address theManukau electors at Onehunga to-night, but on account of the hall net being available, the meeting has been postponed till to-morrow. Sir George Grey will also address a public meeting at Howick on Monday afternoon.

Manukau — Last night, Sir G, M. O'Rorke addressed a meeting of electors at Epsom, when nearly 100 electors were present. The speaker went over a variety of topics, in terms similar to those employed at Onehunga, and at the close he answered several questions satisfactorily. The meet ing, which was orderly throughout,[awarded him a hearty vote of thanks and confidence by a majority. Wah'a.—Mr I.ako addressed the electors at Alexandra last night, and received a vote of confidence. Major Jackson ad dressed the electors of Ngaruawahia last night, when there was a large attendance. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried almost unanimously, only two handß being hold up in favour of thanks only, Parnell. -Wo have been requested to publish the following:—Mr Fitzgerald begs to announce that he has retired from the contest for tho Borough of Parnell, and has resigned in favour of Mr George ; but in doing so would request Mr Georgo to toko up tho measures he promised the elector* of Parnell—to bring in a bill to borrow £2,000,000 to make a bridge from Judgo's Bay to North Shore, and to build a bridge over tho gully from Parnell to the Supreme Court. Mr Fitzgerald would also return his thanks for tho goodwill shown to him by tho electors of Parnell during the continu ance of his candidature, and also to Mr John Abbott, that noble poet, who, while endur ing grief for the loss of that noble animal, " The Cardinal," yet had time at his com mand to pour forth floods of burning eloquence in his cause. Mr Fitzgerald would also drop a tear on " The Cardinal's " grave. Since the receipt of the above, Mr Fitzgerald has called at our office to say that in reply to tho question whether he would prevent the Salvation Army from parading the street*, he did not say "Yes," but " No ;" ha believed they should be pro tected in parading the street. He ako states thet he refused to resign, and still refuses. Mr Garrard wishes it explained that he did not occupy tho chair at the com mencement of the Parnell meeting, and the telegram inviting him to attend it had boen received during the day. His endeavours to ascertain in the hall who the sender was led to the mistuko about his presiding. He considered tho whole proceedings worse than a farce, and would not take any part in them. Ho intends to address the Newton electors at Avondale on Monday.

Mr Moss's friends and supporters will meet on Saturday ever.injj at the Presby terian School-room, Parnell, a little above tho Windsor Castle Hotel, instead of at the Oddfellows' Holl as first advertised.

Waitkmata.—lf tho enthußiastio meeting of electors of Waitomata, held last evening in tho Helensville Public Hall, be an evi dence of what tho ballot-box will disclose on Tuesday next, Mr Hurst may indeed con sider that his lines have fallen in pleasant places. He spoke for an hour and a-half on the leading political questions of the day, and appeared to carry the very intelligent audience completely with him. It was moved that a hearty vote of thanks and con fidence bo given to him, which was unani mously carried. Mr Isaac McLeod, Chair man of the Town District Board, presided on the occasion with his usual ability. Tauranua. —Mr William Kelly addressed a large and influential meeting of electors last night. A voto of confidence and thanks was passed by a largo majority. Mr Kelly addressed the electors at Maketu last night. He was well received, and a vote of confidenoe was carried, only two voting against it. Coromandel.—Mr Cadman addressed a crowded meeting of Coromandel electors at Thames last night. Ho declared him self an opponent of tho present Govern ment on their taxation proposals, hut would support them as against Sir Julius Yogel and a Southern confederacy. A vote of confidence was carried by 49 to 29.

Rolnev.—A meeting of Mr Moat's sup porters held in Aratapu Hall last night was largely attended, and the following resolu tions were passed unanimously:—(l) "That this meeting .records its cordial approval of the past conduct of publio affairs, and at the futuro programme of legislation and public works of the present Government; (2) that this meeting resolve to support the candidature of Mr Moat for tho Rodney electorate as a satisfactory ex ponent and supporter of the Government; (3) with a view to give practical effect to tho first resolution, this meeting pledges itsolf to Work the district in favour of Mr Moat and generally look after his in terests."

MR LAWRY AT ONEHUNGA.

Mr F. Lawrt addressed the electors of Manukau in the Masonic Hall, Onehunga, last evening. His Worship the Mayor (Dr. Scott) occupied the chair. He asked for Mr La wry, although somewhat of a stranger, the same fair play as had been accorded the other candidate who had previously addressed the electors in that hall.

Mr La wet then came forward. He said be did not feel very much like a stranger, for the people usually took a "stranger" in, and ho did not expect to be taken in. Ho felt confident that he would he accorded a patient hearing. If he had no past poli tical career he had no post actions to justify or defend. He had lived amongst the electors for a. long period, and this he considered was a good ground on which to start, because it included personal honour and respect. He trusted that on the day of the poll they would not heed national distinction, diversity of creed, nor personal feeling, but vote as a free English people. He also trusted that his action, whatever it might be, would justify theh support. In South Franklin he was once defeated by Mr Hamlin. He believed that ho then took too high ground, by declining to give any pledge. This time he would submit to the most rigid cross examination, and be bound by what he answered. The position he occupied in South Franklin was the same as he did now. He belonged to no party, and agreed only to do the best for his constituency. ForalongtimetheGovern- • ment had been hoodwinking the people be tween Waiuku and Pukekohe about a railway. The Government did not even put the rail way on the Estimates, when they had asked the Government for common justice they got a sting of the common serpent. (Laughter.) He be lieved that if they asked the Government to remove the Court-house, they would agree to build a court-house before which the Supremo Court-house of Auckland would pale into insignificance. But they should not believe such promises. Mr Lawry next referred to a letter which had been pub lished, and remarked in connection there with that he intended to represent the con stituency fairly. He had said that if beaten he would assist Sir Maurice O'Rorke, and he believed Sir Maurice would do the same for him. He asked the eleotors to go to tho poll under the impression that the best man should win. The great question affecting them was the main trunk railway, and equally important was tho course which that railway should take. Ho had come to tho conclusion that the Atkinson Government was so weak that it could not carry on that railway by the best route, viz., by Stratford and coming out at Te Awamutu. He had very little faith in surv. yors' reports, and would not ae copt thorn unless well backed up, for he often found them to be ac. tuated by party control and local bias. ("Oh!") Most of them were a wap that there was a largp Freezing Company in Aucklar d, and the Harbpur Board had givei, it great advantages. But what was the upp of a freezing company unless there werfl™ sheep tp fill the freezing chambers ? ishd con sequently the very fertile country of tjip North should be connected with tnis plafip • by rail. (Applause.) He had large <S?fl»j|i munication with settlers on the West Coast; and they would hot take shares'' in the | Freezing Company because they" believed there wns: no chance of the railway being carried by its legitimate route, Tfiey Bao. established a reputation for good' meat, and wero not going to run the risk of losing.it by inferior meaiis of shipment,

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1884.



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Special Advertisements. d xr c w TZSS 5!• w .*l>|ew Xweeds. m H. L. POSSENIBKIE ■¥ Bess to announce the completloa of his M WfiJTHR IMPORTATIONS, H . . Consisting of 2 AT.T. THE LATEST NOVELTIES «U WORSTEDS Tip TWEBDS '* H In the Home Markets. &* O • * ' p. tf H. L, POSSENISKIE, H IJfPOKTKE, , £-M Shortland-bt., Auckland, r DR.' C. NEWBERRY COBBETT, Bn"h"lnr in Medicine and Master In Surgery j_».l..l.u_\lii. of •■- the University of Etl-ntmrKh, Univtsn_i_y London, and tho RadcUffe Hospital, Qxlokl (late Kesident A« conchenr Rotunda Hospital. Dublin), baa com menced the Practice of nis Profession at AttcsT* land, and may he consulted in the city at Mr Aiokln's Pharmacy, from 12 to 1 a.m. and 1 to S R. tIL KINS, F.R.C.S., CONSULTING AND OPERATING SURGEON,' la at his Sjirgery for General Practice, also Bra. BAB, and Throat Diseases, MORNINGS, AFTERNOONS, AND EVENINGS. Consultation Foes very Moderate. Dr Widkins spent seven years at Mqgjrofields Eye Hospital, London, under Messrs Bowman and Ciichett, two at Throat Hospital, UmaSa, seven years Honorary Surgeon Albert Hospital, and eight years at Eye, Ear, and Throat In firmary .Malbonrno. Adjusts spectacles to Bights. —Consulting Rooms, Queen-street (near Poat offl'cc), Auckland. TAUPIRI EXTENDED COAL-MININC COMPANY (LIMITED). NOTICE TO CONSUMERS OF TAUPIRI COAL. COAL from Other Mines in the Waikato being now Introduced htto the Auokland Market. Consumers of TAUPIRI COAL are Requested to be Careful In giving their Orders In futuro to ask for " TAUPIRI COAL." FRANZ SCHERFF, Secretary. Auckland. May 26.188*.' TyTEW STATIONERY BUSINESS. The undersigned begs to Inform the public that he has Removed to premises two doors irom tie Bank of New Zealand, Queon-streot jENGROSSING, COPYING. & ADDRESSES Nbatly Executed. lEstab.] [1865. HENRY WHITE, " iBTATIONER AND BOOKSELLER The Italian Bedstead is a new and very E wrotty stylo. You will flndalargo assortment __ -of Iron and Brass and Ntckdmated Bedsteads ■ At tho Cheap. Furnishing W«J.houso, Garlfck ■ «ndOranwen's,Quocn-stroet,y.nckland,—[Advt,



Special Advertisements. ELECTORS OV TIIE piTY AND OUBURBAN CONST! rUKNCIKS .Actively engaged in political warfare neces sarily roquirc their systems roplenishou, the only effective method being a frco use of W. J. SUITER'S CELEBRATED PURE PALE AND SPARKLING ALES. To bo obtained from ALL THE FREE AND i INDEPENDENT HOTELS in and around ' Auckland. i Orders sent to the Brewery, Kyber Pass Road, or entrusted to Mr P. Lempriere, his represen tative, will bo promptly attended to. BALANCE OF WINTER STOCK OF {GIRLS' and LADIES' VELVETS . BLACK CLOTH JACKETS __„ BLACK CLOTH and CASHMERE DOLMANS MEN'S WATKRPROOF COATS BOYS' and YOUTHS' OVERCOATS To bo CLEARED at 15 to 20 Por Cent. DISCOUNT. Velveteens, in Slate and Olive. 2s fid yd.; worth Lot of Good Coloured Silk Velvets, various shades, Is Gd yd.; worth 6s Cd ; 200 White Linen Damask Tablcoloths, 3s Gd, 3s ' 537 Is Gd. Ss 6d; worth doublo Largo Lot New Pattern Floorcloths, all widths ' Great Variety ln-Romnants, marked low ■ Having a Large Stock of Dress Goods, havo Re ■ duoed a largo lot t» very Low Prices, from SJd ■ Wido Navy Cashmere. Is sjd yd. Men's Strong Tweed Coats, 7s Gd ' Grey Calico, 2d yd. 6275 WORTH of WAREHOUSE SAMPLES Just Received, in Great Variety, will bo SOLD CHEAP. WILLIAM It. BRIDGMAN, | JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, I7PPEB QUBKN-STHEKT. RS R. SOMMERVILLB, MILLINERY WAREROOMB AND ! STRAW-WORKING ESTABLISHMENT, WELLEBLSY-BTREH|\ r orrosrra Opera House. i DR, STALKER, M.A., M.8., CM. (KUIN... ' HAS COMMBNCED PRACTICE i I AT J CHURCH-STREBT, DEVONPORT. : HOURS OF CONSULTATION: 9to 10 .. MoRJJINQ G to 8 EVKNINO.



MILNE & CHOYCE Havo decided to CLOSE THKIR PREMISES AT SIX P.M. ON SATURDAYS during tiir WINTER MONTHS, Commencing SATURDAY. JULY 19th Instant. This being done In tho Interests •( the Early Closing Movement, M. and C. would beg their patrons TO SHOP EARLY, And so enable them to make It a PERMANENCY. THK CHEAP CLEARING SALE OP WINTER GOODS IS STILL BEING CONTINUED. WELLEBLEY AND LORNE-STREETS. TjIARLY WILLIAM RATTRAY Begs to inform his Patrons that in future he will CLOSE HIS EBTABLIBHMENT AT SIX O'CLOCK ON SATURDAYS, And respectfully requests their cooperation by MAKING THEIR SATURDAY PURCHASES BEFORE SKAT HOUR. -ITy-ILLIAM DATTRAY, 178, 180, 182, Queen-street.



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