SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

rrrmr wA mm J This EVOntog, 11.59 HIGH wATKß< To . morrow j t f orn i n g t _ SUNSKT.—This Evening. 7.7 SUNUIBK.-To-morrow Morning, 4.39 MOON'S AQK.—liast Quarter, 9th, 11.9 p.m,

ARRIVALS. LAST KVKKINO.

Waitaki, 8.5., Crawford, from Whangarei Macgregor, s.a., Johnson, from Whangarei TO-DAY. City of Sydney, P.M.8.8., Dearborn, from Sydney Arawata, 5.8., Cronwrty from Russell

DEPARTURES. LAST EVENING.

Clansman, s.s., Farquhar, for Ruasell Wellington, s.fl., Btephenson, for Tauranga Glenelff, 9.5., Amodeo, for Mercury Bay

TO-DAY. City of Sydney, P.M.s.s., Dearborn, for San Francisco

IMPORTS.

Per Coptic (direct steamer, »t Dnncdin)—2 cases Lock wood's cutlery.—Thomas Samnel.

KXPORTS.

Per City of Sydney for San Francisco—2 cases gum, 1 parcel rubber stamps, ana 45i pkrs in transit from Sydney. For Honolulu—ll cases confectionery and 15 pkga in transit from Sydney.

InwabdsCoastwibe,—Atalanta.fromTairna, with 24 600 ft timber; Nellie, from Whangapoua, with 30,000 ft timber; Lucy James, from Wai hcke, with 40 tons wood. Outwards Coastwise.—Atalanta. for Tai rna; Nellie, for Whangapona; Lucy James, tor Whangarel; Hata. for Waiara. The brlgantlne Lookout cleared at Bydney for Auckland on Docember 3, with 1,500 bags bone dust and 3,(100 feet cedar. The brigantine Aratapu arrived at Sydney on Norembor 29, after a 14 days' passage. The brigantine Camille, which left Kaipara on the lfith ult, arrived at Sydney on Nov. 30. The schooner Marion left Whangarel Heads on Sunday, bound for Kaipara with a cargo of coal. The Bteamers Ringarooma, from Dunedin, and Southern Cross and Thomas Russell, from Gisborno, will all probably arrive early this evening. The sub. Coptic arrived at Napier yesterday to complete her cargo for London. She in being loaded at the rate of 3,000 carcases mutton per day, besides other oargo. - ""*"!*Rifr--iollowine passengers arrived from Whangntciby tho s.s. Macgregor :—Mcsdames Heape, A3ains. Austin. Messrs Adams, Aubrey, Lym, AustTil", Peterson, and 3 in the steerage. The barqne'fSieviot was brought up from the powder ground this morning land anchored off the Queen-street Wharf. The bnrqne Polham was taken alongside) of the ship pamaru to-day, tor tho pnrpose ol having ncr masts unshipped. The B.(>. Te Anau leaves for Russell at five o'olook this evening. She willreturn about six a.m. onThnrßday.andleaveatnoononthesame day for Melbourne via Southern Ports. The barque Laira hauled off from Queen- Btrot Wharf this morning. The barquß Loch Fergus commenced dis charging at tho central tee on the western side of Queen-street Wharf this morning. Her cargo appears to be in good order.

The s.s. Waitaki arrived from Whangarei last evening with the following passengers:—Mes- datnes Heron, Hedahaw and son, Misses Hay, Rhynass. Messrs Fraser, Harrington, Mares, Heron,Searmonth, James Whltlaw,G. w. Keer, M. Whitelaw, McMillan, Sterenaon, Hoffmann, and 7 In the steerage.

THE MAIL STEAMER,

The P.M.b.b. City of Sydneyarrived in harbour and anchored in the stream at .1 a m. to-day. Capt, Dearborn's report la a9 follows:—Dis charged Sydney pilot on Deo. 4th at 3.47 p.m.: Doc. 7th at 7.30 s.m. passed Union Co.'s ateamor Itotoinahana. bound wost; passed Three Kinpi at 7 a,m. on the Bth; had heavy southerly swell with lino weather from Sydney to North Capo: thence to port smooth sea; received Auckland pilot at 2 a.m. on the Oth. Passongers :—Cabin for Auckland: D. Daggctt, J. Higgins. Lieut. Wiloox, J. Cornish, C. Bell, R. Cornish, Miss Grierson, Mra Woods and child, A. T. Holds worth, J. K. Poole. Steerage: J. Neoson, Qeo. Mills, E. Power, P. Murray, Jas. Simpson. Passengers wero conveyed from the Queen- Btroet wharf to the City of Sydney in ono of the ferry steamers at 2 p.m.. and shortly afterwards the mall steamer resumed her voyage for San Francisco, via Honolulu. The following pas sengers booked at this port:—James Maofar. lane, C. A. Harris, Frank Cooper, H. W. Heath, J. D, Warfleld, Miss A. M. Mibim. W. B. Gar rett. a. Single, A. E. Scott, W. H. Swaine. H. (i. Petersen, H. Benjamin, J. B. Miller, R. C. Clark.

PORT 03? ONEHUNGA,

ARRIVALS. Rotortm, 3.3.. Kevilie, from the South Ari;ylo, a.8., MeArtlrar, from Waitara

DEPARTURES.

Argrle. as., Me Artlinr. for Waitara If anna* Mokau, s.a., Windsor, for Kawhla and Waitara Rotortia, 8.5., Neville, for the South

Tho a a. Argylo arrivecWfroni Waitara early thiS morning with 36 head of cattle, 225 sheep, and the following passnnprers:—Messrs Daling, Cookc, Farveuth, Labouroe. Farrant, Jackson. Walker, Robertson, and Mrs Fry. She left for tins same port at one o'clock.

The as. Hannah Mokau left (or Kawhla and Waitara at 4 o'clock to-day, with 39 boxes tea, 20 bars iron, 10 coils rove. 76 mats suuar. 1 boxes fionp, 12 bags salt, 110 bags flour, and 316 oases and packages.

The Union Company's s.s, Rotorua arrived from the South at 6 o'clock this morning. Passengers: Mrs Ba water, Messrs 8011, Chaleyar, Bawster, Cuntly, Millaus, Donne, Morton, Humphries, Pearce, Burton, Clark, Atkinson, Mahoney, Guile, MoGuire, Sher wood, Walker, Lookington, Forbeß, Soath. Cildwell, Misses Wilson and Price, and 15 Btoerage. She left again for the South at 2 o'clook, with 50 tons corgp and the following pngueDgrrs: Mr and Mrs Davy, Mm Gulliver, Miflß Sims. Mrs May, Messrs Pitcher, D. Dar rot, Dallon, A. Aldridge, W. H. Smith, C. Wright, J, A. Hughes.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

- RussELr.. this day. — Arrived: Clansman, from Auckland, fi.3o a.m. , Tauranoa, this day.—Arrived: Wellington, from Auckland, 8 a.m.

COMMERCIAL.

Eveningi Stab Office, this day. ' Mr D. F. Evania held a sale of balance of mag nificent building sites at his mart to-day. The Bale was well attended, and In some instances Uie bidding waa spirited, but only a few allot ments werosold, viz., C. 12s Sd per foot; 7.125; 11, 23b ; 26,105; lot 27 brought £25, and lot 12, £20 109. Sevoral other allotments, 13 to 19, did not reach the reserve, but are under offer, and likely to be dispoßed of.

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

Mails -will Close as under— This Da-tt. For Russell and Kawokawa, per Te Anau, at i p.m. For Barotonga, per Kate McGregor, at i p.m. For Whangarel Heads. Parua. Waipn, Whan garel, Kiuno, and Mangapai, per Maogregor orWaitaki. at 5 p.m. For Katl Katl and Tauranga, per Rotomahana, at 5 p.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 5.30 p.m. Wednesday, 10th iust. For Whangarei Heads, Whangarei, and Kamo' per Wellington, at 9 a.m. For Waitara, etc., per Douglas, at 11 a.m. Per Rlngarooma, as follows ;— For India. China, Japan. Mediterranean Ports, andContinont of Europe, at 10 a.m. For Australian Colonies and United King dom, via Colombo, Suez, and Brindisi, for letters, etc., specially so prepaid and ad dressed, at 11 a.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 11 a.m. Late letters for Sydney and Melbourne only, at 11.20 a.m. The United Kingdom mail will be due in London on Tuesday, January 27,1885. For Coromandel, per Coromandel, at 11.30 a.nv For Qisborne, Napier, and South, per Southern Cross, at Ip.m. For Glsborne, and Naplor, per Thomas Russell, atlp.m. For Thames, per Enterprise, at 4.30 p.m.

NJ3—From and after the 15th November ult, the following rates of Postage must be prepaid on Correspondence for the United Kingdom. addressed to be sent via Brindial :— Letters one shilling per half-onnceor motion of naif an ounce, v^n all Book Paokete and Parcels, threa- SswS£*: w*5r two °tvlcea ™ t*»&™ of two twopence each;

meetings, EutertainmentSi Etc.

December 9, 1884.

Abbott's Opora House—"Tho Green Bushes," 8 p.m. St. Sepulchre's School - room — Sole of Christmas Gifts in aid of Grafton New Weß leyan Church ; tea at 6 p.m. Workinß Men's Club—Annual Meetinß of Poultry Association, 7.30 p.m.

Franklin Road Primitive Methodist Soiree, 6.30 p.m.

Eden Hall—Ark o£ Eden Templar Entertain ment (free), 7.30 p.m. Freemasons' Hall, Princes street — Union Lodge of Mark Master Masons, 7.30 p.m.

Births.

JOHNSON.—On December 0, at her residence, Wyndham-street, the wife of C. A. Johnson of a son; both doing well.

ffa {&mmv% f tat: WITH WHICH ARE IHCORFOK4THD

TUESDAY. DECEMBER 9, 1884.

For the rouse that lacks assistance, For the wrong that neeais reslatanna, For the future In the distance, And the Rood that we can do.

The Eight Hours' Bill, which was fought over in the New Zealand Legislature has been surpassed in the rigidity of its proposals by the Factories Bill in troduced into the Legislature by the Victoria Ministry. This bill proposes to make it illegal to shop after seven o'clock, it prohibits working people from taking meals in any work-room, and provides other stringent clauses for the relief of labour. The two clauses mentioned have evoked a storm of op position. Meetings of shopkeepers have been held, at which the arbitrary character of the prohibition against late shopping has been vigorously de nounced, and it is urged that to prevent employe's from eating their lunches in a factory or work-room will be a hard ship to the workers, who . are thus driven upon the street, many employers being unable to provide additional ac commodation. At oner- igofßhop keepers in Melbourne7 g"ti£' Chairman said "he had been a shopkeeper for twenty years, and his experience told him that a large amount of harm would be done by closing shops at the hour proposed. Personally he would be a loser to the extent of a year. In the suburbs there were a great many poor old women who kept shops and eked out a livelihood by selling a few things after seven o'clock in the even ing, and he would ask if they were to be deprived of the means of earning a living. They were evidently going back to the feudal times of England, when a man used to go about with a bell and ring out the curfew. If things went on at the present rate, the people of Victoria would have to put out their lights at a certain hour in the evening." The general testimony of the shop keeping class was against the rule; one dissentient who proposed an amendment at a shopkeepers' meeting was shouted down, and only four hands supported him when the resolu tion of disapproval went to the vote. One shopkeeper (a hatter) stated that he " frequently never saw a customer until eight or nine o'clock at night. The seven o'clock movement was tried in South Melbourne last winter by the grocers and drapers, but it proved a failure. The receipts of the shop keepers dropped off to such an extent that ruination stared them in the face, and they were compelled to revert to the former state of affairs." Some of the opponents of the clause argued that shopkeepers should have the boon of shorter hours, but it ought to be brought about by mutual agree ment, not legislation; while others thought a restriction would not be so objectionable if it limited the number of hours during which a shop might legally be kept open, but left it optional with the proprietor what time he should open. The meeting, as a representa tion of the feelings of the shopkeeper class, proved how little hope there was of any general reduction in the hours of labour; by agreement, but it also showed that those who suffer the hardships the Legislature propose to relieve are willing slaves, and refuse to be emancipated. The bill is meeting so much opposition that it is generally believed the Govern ment will avail themselves of the late ness of the session as an excuse for quietly letting it drop.

The mail steamer City of Sydney, which arrived from Sydney at 3 o'clock this morn ing, did not come alongside of the wharf, but remained in the stream until she left again for San Francisco and Honolulu, in the afternoon. From Sydney she brought 11 saloon and 5 steerage passengers for Auck land, and 14 saloon and 28 steerage for San Francisco.

In our review of Mr Kerry Nicholl'a book, a raiaprinjb occurred which obscured the sense. Ths word " cuckoo " in the sentence referring to tfao kea should have read " kaka." The kea belongs to the same class— Nestor. The Aipinp kakapo (South Island) is nearly twice its size.

His Worship the Mayor, accompanied by the Town Clerk, paid an official visit to the H.I.G.M.S. Albatross to-day, and was most courteously receivedi

The Begistration Officer has issued 300 notices of objection to names on the elec toral rolls pf Auckland West and Newton.

Cr. Mackechnie has given notice that he wiil move at the next meeting of the City Council; —'•' That a fine of £100 in Hou of time penalty pnder contract No. 2, _Pon aonby Road, be imposed upon J. T. Knight, the contractor, and the Council's decision to enforce such penalty in fijll be rescinded."

Daniel Tookey has offered to supply the Harbour Board with a method to prsyept the destructive ravages caused by the sea worm in the timber of the Auckland wharves and other works. Mr Tookey has been many years on the coast, and claims to have-had ample opportunities of studying the habits of this destructive worm. He gays that after numerous experiments he has cncqeeded in discovering a method by which these ravages may be prevented.

The father of the .Jittle.boy, George Cook, who snatched an envelope .containing £2 2s and .buried it in the garden, has .become surety iorhis son's good conduct for &Kree months.

Cojnplaints having reached the police of disordeyiy conduct in a brothel in Victoria street, near to the Empire Hqtol, the house in question hag ieen cleared of its occupants, and the annoyance to t,ho neighbours removed.

The activity in the building trade during the last twelve months has had a good effect upon the operations of the local building societies. At the meeting of the Industrial and Provident Building Society last night, a dividend of eight per cent, was declared and a three per cent, bonus. The report showed an exceedingly prosperous year, and exhibited the advantages of these societies both for investors and borrowers.

The case of Hugh H. Lusk v. Prank Brodie, claim £34 Is 8d for professional services rendered, wa3 heard at the District Court to-day. Mr Earl, for defendant, took objection te the summons on the ground that it bore no date, and therefore contended that the case was a nullity and not before the Court. Mr Napier, for Elaintiff, replied that all defects were cured y defendant's appearance in Court. His Worship said that all irregularities were so cured, but certainly not a nullity, which rendered everything void. Afc Hamilton he had affirmed the very point raised by Mr Earl, and the ruling, had not been ques tioned. He had given the matter but very little attention since, but was willing to hear argument upon it. After some further expression of opinion it was agreed to ad journ the case till next Court day in order to allow of the summons being dated; defendant, being allowed, to amend his ■.cteferiv-*> ':■■■■- l'-; i •'..' ■• ■■-,•'.''•"■ il-.-. ;: •'■'■■".'.-•-

With reference to the cable news pub lished by us yesterday stating that a law suit was threatened against Sir Julius Vogel for recover}' of moneys alleged to be wrongfully acquired by him as direotor of a telephone company in London, the Press Association wire as follows from Wellington: —"Sir Julius Vogel requests us to Btate that he cannotbelieve that the Investiga tion Committee of the Telephone Company have made the statement attributed to them by the London correspondence, and that he declares such statement to be utterly false and libellous."

The drainage of the gully east of Grey atreet promises ere • long to be an _ ac complished fact. Tenders are now invited for the work, which will include about 1,800 feet of drainage. The cost of this improvement will not fall far short of £2,000.

The Presbyterian Church of St. Peter, Surrey Hills, is now completed aa far as Mr Darrach, the contractor, is concerned. The painting will be finishod in the course of a few days. The opening services will beheld on Sunday, the 21st inst., when tho pulpit will be successively filled by Roys. D. W. Runciman, R. F. Maonicol, and R. Sondraerville. A Sunday-school will be opened in the afternoon.

The sum of £105,000 becomea due to tho Harbour Board on the 13th mat., from cash deposit now maturing. Of this amount £90,000 is now to be placed on fixed deposit at Bank of New Zealand for twolve montho, and £5,000 for three months*.

After several j'cars of efficient servico in Auckland, Constablo Bern left last evening for Thames, to which station he has been appointed.

The following report on the progress of work at Calliope Bock was rend at the meeting of tho Harbour Board this after noon :—" The contractor is pushing on with all expedition. This morning there woro 85 men and 13 teams employed in cutting down the hill and filling reclamation,—Wm. Eriunoton, Dock Engineer."

A cricket match was played in the Domain on Saturday between the employes of Messrs Winks and Hall and Gee and Potter. The latter were disposed of for 44 runs. Aggers, bowling for Winks and Hall, took seven wickets, four of which were for four consecutive balls. On account of the inclemency of the weather, the match resulted in a draw.

At the meeting of the Harbour Board this afternoon, payment of accounts was ordered to the extent of £62,"?, leaving a balance in bank of £8,168. Payment of £95,015 under loan account was also ordered, leaving tho balance at £10,731.

Tenders are now being invited for tho formation of College Road from top to bottom, and whon this work is completed the laying of tho tram-rails will probably be pushed on, in order to completo tho western circuit. The contract about to bo lot includes the complete korbing, channel ling, and metalling, but very little cutting will be required. Tho deepost part of tho cutting will bo a couple of feet above tho Suffolk Hotel. Tliore will bo no alteration to the gradient worth speaking about.

Tho contract for tho cutting down of tho lower part of Hobson-street was signed this morning by Messrs Winstcme, tlio amount being £3,147. It i.s estimated that the contract should give immediate employ ment to about 100 men, no less than 80,000 yards of earth requiring removal.

Tho inquoat on tho body of Mary Wilson, held yesterday at the Lunatic Asylum, before Dr. Philson, Coroner, resulted in a verdict of "Died from natural decay and general debility." Deceased had for some months teen an.inmate of tho Asylum.

Tho musical societies of Auckland, big and little, aro preparing for Christmas concerts. Apart from tho Choral Society's Christmas oratorio, wo notice that tho Phil harmonic is practising for a grand concert The Waitemata Minstrels have already socured the Opera House for Christmas, The Ponsonby Choral Society's annual meeting will bo hold on the 15th inst., and Horace Dean promises to introduce his darkio friends in Lorno-stroot Hall.

It will bo remombered that at tho last meeting of the Harbour Buard it was agreed to request tho Government to send Mr Blackett, Engincor-in-Chief, to Auck land to examine adn report on the allogod dollcetion of the Reclamation wall. A telegram has since been received stating that arrangomonts have been mado for Mr Blackett to come as requested as soon as possible, and that lie is at present at Mar ton starting tha railway survey.

In order to be roady for the alteration in the level of Symonds-stroet, the wall of the Presbyterian Cemetery is boirig raisod, besides being buttressed to enable it to stand the pressure of earth. It is to be hoped some steps will be taken to have the same work done for the public and Anglican Cemeteries on the other side of the street.

The " Bee Journal" for the current month has been issued, and is marked by its usual completeness as a manual for the apiarist and authority on all matters connected with bee-keeping.

At the meeting of the Harbour Board to day, the following recommendation was read from the Works Committee on the subject of pilotage charges:—"That the annual pilotage charged under section 88 of the Harbours Act, 1878, upon colonial trading vessels, the masters or mates of which hold a pilotage exemption certificate, be remitted on and after the first day of January, 1885."

Dr. Dalziel has shown us some splendid gooseberries grown by Mr John Brown, of Puriri Park, Pukekolie. The berries are large, soft, and luscious. They were planted on a red volcanic soil. These berries prove that Auckland can produce gooseberries if only the right variety is selected.

Tho Works Committee of the Harbour Board has decided to request Mr T. B. Hannaford to submit plans, specifications, and estimate of his sldllton iron turret.

There should be no dearth of employment amongst labouring men for some time to come. The City Council have at the present time contracts let to the extent of over £30,000, and the majority of these will require a great deal of labour. Several are only in the preliminary Btages, and will take on many more men than are at E resent employed, while others have just een let. Besides these, several extra contracts are at present advertised. The .Council is evidently determined this year to jtake advantage of the fine weather for the prosecution of road works.

The operations of the Industrial and Provident Building Society of Auckland have been so fay successful during the year that a bonus of three per cent, has been added to the interest of eight per cent, allowed, making a total of eleven per cent paid to members. Besides this, there1 has been carried forward four times more than last j car. During tho progress of the meeting last night, Mr Macfcechnie said, ho did not believe tho Society had inado a single bad invostment since its commenco ment, and Mr MoMaster considored that this was quite sufficient to justify tho shareholders in re-electing tho officers with out opposition.

Tenders were oponod at Messrs "VY. F. HamnjoDiJ and Son'a yesterday for a two story building as the l'arnell store in piace of the one recently burnt down, viz,, Messrs Crechmar and Small, £345, concrete foundation at 19s per yard ; Gedye and Calver, L 367 ; Burns and Koneally, L 387 10s ; Hunter and Mettam, L 41 8; Baniban and Lonergan, L 43 0; G. Woollor. L 445; G. Heron, L 44 9; Leigh Bros., L 513. The other tenders for concrete sleeper wall ranged as high as 26a. The excavation has 'been prepared by tho owner. The lowest toniier Accepted.

The question of racei.ving and forwarding goods on wharves has again (joon under the consideration of the Wdrks Committee of the Harbour Board, which to-day recom mended the appointment of a traffic piana^er and wharfinger for wharves on the Ejputh side of the harbour at a salary of £300 per annum, subject to confirmation of ap pointment s;x months after date. That the wharfinger be in close attendance when vessels are discharging, a»d ,tp ,haye sole control of all traffic upon wharves ;',q!rays, carts, and vehicles, and of all persons em ployed on wharves, aad to regulate all matters relating to discharging and loading of cargo and of clearing the wharves, It is proposed to try this as an experiment for six months.

"Visitor to the Museum" writes:— " When one sees the number of working men »nd their wives and families who now fill the Museum on Sunday afternoons, who never otherwise woijld have a chance of seeing its contents, we ought to bo well satisfied that the results are what were anticipated. I was also pleased to see a number of seafaring men, who never in the creation of cats would have a chance of viewing the Museum either probably inside or outside. There is one pity—that the tram-cars do not run, to enable the work ing people living in the suburbs to occa sionally visit other churches, and also the Domain. They run in the other leading cities of the colony; and as we have already railway trains, steamboats, and even omnibuses and cabs plying on that day, it is only,straining at a gnat and swallowing a cornel to prohibit tram-care."

Share and stock market quotation^ ara muisjjj the same as yesterday; very little chango expected until after Christmas. Inquiries for Auckland Gas, New Zealand Insurance and Taupiri Coal at full market priceß.. Sale today in Cambria's, 8s 3d; buyers, 8s 6d. Darwin : Sales, 7a and Gs 6d,

The Finance Committee has recommended the Harbour Board to instruct the Board's solicitor to draw up clauses granting the New Zealand Frozen Meat Company power to sub-let portions C and B without inter fering with covenants of lease, and pro yiding that all other covenants in original leases be carried out.

Tho romantic drama, " Green Bußhcg," was repeated at the Opera House last night, and will be given again this evening for the last time. "Leah, the Forsaken," is an nounced for to-morrow, and on Friday Miss Crawford receives a complimentary benefit at the hands of tho members of her Com pany.

The yacht Florence is to be sold by auction to-morrow forenoon by Messrs E. and A. Isaacs. At tho same timo the auctioneers will offer lor sale a large lot oC paintcre' materials to close consignments.

Mr F. G. Ewington announces elsewhere In our columns that on the 20th in3t. he will re movo to more conveniunt ofllcea on the Rrountl floor in Coomboa'3 Arcade. Queen-street, nearly opposite his old office.

Mr W. Boodle, artist and wood-engraver of High-street, ia complotinpfaserießof excellent, sketches of Mexican life, buildings, and acencrr, taken by himself durlnß hi^ travclH in Mexico.

Mombors of the Excelsior Lodge, Frank lin Road, will hold a festive evening to morrow evening, to which non-members are Invited free of charge. Tho choir will contribute eongß, odea, find lyrics, Thero will also bo a short chemical lecture with exporimonta, and a pre sentation to the conductor of the choir. Mr D. Goldio will occupy the chair, and deliver tho opening address. A Bimilar Hood Templar entertainment will bn held at tho same hour at tho Hope of Parnoll Lonßo,,and which will be frco to the public.

A grand bazaar and fancy fair in aid of tho funds of St. Mary's Convent, Ponsonby, will bo opened in ihe Theatre Royal on tho 22nd hist. As the object of tho bazaar Is a very laudable ono, namely, to pay off a dobt on school buildings in connection with tho Con vent, it is to be hoped tho affair will be a suc cess. Tho names of tho lady stall-holders is a sufficient guarantee that tho bazaar is in good hands. A band will be in attendance.

Fdtes for the Christmas season aro promissd in profusion, aa shown by tho par ticulars which annear in fair advertising columns to day. There is a CSEt Show flxod for IShh insU, wlion pri^os will bo Riven for the best foreign cat, tho best all-round cat, tho cat with tho largest family present, tho best white oat, tho Best black cat, and tho best cats ot those colours with black and white .tips to thoir respective tails. Then on tho following day (Saturday) thore is to a dancing competition, while on Monday a grand doll show is to tako placo, followed in the evening by a bed masque. Intending competitors are referred to tho adver tisement tor particulars.

TABLE TALK

MAtri steamer outwards,

Dissolution of Parliament is expected noxt year. Another lialf-ponny paper has started at Taumngn.

Mr Hobbs, M.1f.11., is on a visit to Sir John ITall.

Look out for tlio deadly trichina? in pork Special practico of "Messiah" to-night, Attendance of all soloists desired.

Sir Win. Jorvois has hoard nothing of his roportod chango to Now South Walos. Tlio Supreme Court sittings oponcd at Gisborno yestorday. A word to the bakers—Light broad is good, but lightweight isn't. Wellington sends representatives to tho Fire Brigade Competition at Duncdin. There are 1,100 telephone subscribers in Now Zoaland. Judgo Gillies had a case of attempted suicide at Gisborno yestorday. Ho gave his wonted lecture to tho lower Court, and the Grand Jury found "No bill." I [earn has left Wellington for tho Cham pionship sculling contest at Rivorton. There in littlo excitement over tboadair. Thoro aro 44 candidates from Nortli Can terbury for tho Now Zoaland University matriculation examination, which com monced at Christohurch yesterday. The s.s. Southern Cross, winch loft Gis has not sinco been hoard of. Mr Win. Spinkn, an old Wollingtonian, died suddenly yoatorday, aged 82. Christehurch City Council proposo to bor row £25,000 for fifty years at 5 per cent. "Good Mussulman, abstain from pork." A number of pigs aro dying of an epidemic in the North. The Wellington " Post" ropeats that the Ministerial parly is seriously disorganised. Tricker, alias Marshall, has got two yoars' imprisonment for bigamy at Gis borno. It is stated that a new weekly paper is to btfttartod in Wellington. Mr Condy's twelve-roomed house at Tara dale, Hawko's Bay, was burned down yes terday. The loss iB about £1,000. Sir Julius Vogol's memorandum on federation find the South Sen Islands has been forwarded by His Excellency tho Governor to tho Secretory of State for tho Colonies. Tho mistress of tho public school at Hamilton, Otago, has been rocoived into tho Mount Ida Hospital suffering from brain fever. The local paper says sho is " another victim of our high-pressure system of education." Tho Colonial Secrotary nnd Mr G. S. Cooper, Under-Secrotary, intend making a tour of inspection of hospitals, Ac. Thoy start next week, and tho South Mand is to bo visited first.

Opposition is tho lifo of tlio frozen moat trade, as of other enterprises. Circulars wore lately distributed in Wairarapa district to tho effect that the Duncdin Freezing Company has received an offer of a fast steamer for six consoeutivo trips, carrying 35,000 sheep each voyage at a froight which would moan to the shipper Id and 0-Bth por lb and 5 per cent, primage por sheep, as compared with the freight of 2d per lb and 10 per cent, primage hitherto paid on a 7?lb sheep. Both the New Zea land Shipping and Shaw-Savill Companies have now reduced their rates to ljd per lb.

ARRESTING A DEBTOR

Singular Proceedings,

A special sitting of the R.M. Court waß hold thi9 morning before Mr H. G. Seth Smith, R.M. to liear a case which was brought under the clause of the Act which provides for the immediate determination of speedy summons cases. Esther Rich mond sued Edward Frankfort for £5 for board and lodging, Mr W. J. Napier ap pearing for plaintiff, and Mr Cotter for de fendant. Mr Napier explained that the case had been brought under the 17th section of the Resident Magistrate's Court Act, and had led to the arrest of the de fendant, on the ground that he was leaving the colony by the mail steamor with the! object of fraudulently evading payment of the dobt, upon which the plaintiff had taken action. ■

Mr Cottor said that those proceedings wore a surprise ip him, and ho fancied that His Worship, ii. issuing the warrant upon wliich defendant had been hold.in custody since yesterday afternoon, had been rather misled. Ho submitted that the whole pro ceedings wore irregular; first of nil on the ground that theve was no case boforo the ourt at all. The section of the Act which had been referred to required a claim to be made, nnd a summons then to be issued, as the initial steps in all'these proceedings. After this tho case might be hoard, but in this instance there was no case to hoar. There wan merely an affidavit before the Court. To this affidavit ho invited the particular attention of His Worship, for in the whole of his oxperion'co ofj| the law he had never seen an affidavit couched in such torms. It sot out with the peculiar state ment: —"I verily believe that thore is pro bate oauso for believing that the said Edward Frankfort intends to leave the colony by tho mail Btoamer City of Sydney in order t.) evade payment of the claim." The plaifttifF did not swear this, but only averred that she verity believed there was probate cause for so believing. Then the affidavit went on further to say that from inquiries made among defendant's friends and acquaintances, she had ascertained that it was their general belief that the defond ant intended h to leave the colony. Ho had feearjl a solicitor severely censured ,by Ifjtr Justice fillies for importing1 a: similar Foferen.ce to "a goiiisral belief" intb' an affidavit.

In answer to His Worship, Mr Napier admitted that no claim had been entered by the plaintiff, nor any summons issued. His Worship thereupon remarked that ho could not see how the matter could come within his cognisance. Mr Napier con tended that the section of the Act which regulated these proceedings did not con teniplate the initiation of'such a case as this in the usual way as required by the Act of 1867. Mr Cofiter, in reply, held that in all cases a plaint must first of all bo issued before any hearing could be taken.

His Worship said that the proper way of bringing a case into Court was by entering a plaint, after which the other proceed' ings might be taken. It. seemed to him that that was the foundation of his jurisdic tion. The present proceedings were cer: tainly irregular. There was really nothing before him. Mr Cotter said that, under the circumstances, he would have to take other proceedings for the-recovery of coats,- , P

I AUSTRALIAN NEWS. I

Stdset, Decembor 4. No further cases of small-pox are reported. There are ten or eleven cases in quarantine, some of the patients being very bad. The dry, hot weather of the last few days has been so far favourable. The scare has drawn attention to the unsanitary state of the city and most of the dwellings. The Premier 13 considerably improved in health. He hae now returned home, and is preparing to leave for New Zealand. This colony will not take any part in the Antwerp Exhibition. H.M.S. Nelson has returned to port from New Guinea. She will remain here now until the arrival of tho Admiral and new commander.

The English cricketers have returned from Grafton, where they were hospitably entertained.

Brisbane, Dooember 4,

The Government protest against the amendments being made in the Land Bill by the Council. Flying foxes and other vermin are very prevalent on the Darling Downs.

Melbourne, December 4. Captain George Service haa been ap pointed to the pilot service. There ia some hope of a settlement of the dispute among tho bootmakers* The Government has undertaken to bear half the cost of the establishment and maintenance of a lighthouse on Eddystone Point, on the north-east coast of. Tasmania, at the entrance to Bass's Straits. The cost is estimated at £18,000, and the mainten ance £000 a year, A bill has passed its second reading in the Church Assembly establishing a High School for Girls.

The Government Astronomer and Board of Visitors' Observatory recommend that a party bo equipped and sent to Now Zea land next September for the purpose of observing the solar eclipse.

SPORTING NEWS

Mr P. F. Tanckkd's Administrator, and Mr H, Horsford's Minerva, The Poet, and Tho Painter, arrived by the s.b. Rotorua this morning, for the purpose of fulfilling their engagements at the Auckland Summer Meeting. Tho rest of the Southern division aro expected to arrive by next Monday's steamer.

DIRECT STEAM SERVICE,

Arrangements to Give Auckland a Share of the Steamers.

Somr correspondence with respect to the participation of Aucklandin thedirect steam sorvice has taken plaoe (luring the last few days betwoon the Chairman of the Har bour Board and the manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company. The following telegram from tho Com pany was received several days ago by tho Board:—"Wo are now considering future movements of steamers In connection with direct mail servico before definitely deciding ports of arrival and departure. Would pc glad to know if ypur Bdard will consent to forego all port charges and pilot age on any of our steamers entering tho port of Auckland.—J. L. Costke." The Chairman replied, asking whether the concessions Bought for wore allowed in other ports, and stating that the Board would, he thought, be willing to meet tho Company as to dues and other matters if satisfactory arrangements were made as to this port being mado a dopflt to the Company. To thin Mr Coster replied as follows :— ' Thanks for your telegram. We are com municating with other Harbour Boards, and will advlso you later on, Meantime, expect to make such arrangements as will Rivo Auckland a full shara of our Bwlft direct steamore.—J. L. Costeu."

MINING NEWS.

(BY TKIiEOKAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT),

Thames, this day, Cambria,—The manager states that the reef in the winze was looking well when sinking operations were discontinued, gold having been Been when the roof was last broken down, and promißing mineral having reappeared on the hanging-wall, In get ting rid of the water lie nad eithor to turn it down tho shaft or winze, and chose the latter course as boing less likely to retard tho develop ment of the mine. Aa soon as the shaft attains tho required depth, tho steam can again be directed thithor, and operations will then ba resumed in tho winze. A start was made last night with the sinking of anothor winze on No. 1, or the stringers' lode.

M.OANATAIARI EXTENDED.—A change of country is evidently impending in the cross cut towards the Cambria lode, but only small patches of white uandstono havo yet appeared. Caledonias.— Corin, tributer, crushed 10 loads of quartz for the excellent return of Slozs. 14dwts. gold. Deep Level Cross.— Newman, tributer, crushed 8 loads for 13ozs.

Kukakui Hill.—Kowe, tributer, bankod 2ozs. 7dwta.

Moanataiari. — Crushing for Catran tributer, realised 18ozs. 7dwts.

Mqanataiari,—Crushing operations will bo resumed at the Company's battery on Thursday upon quartz from No. 9 lode. Caledonian low Jeeves. —The lode struck in source crosscut has been pene trated for a distance of 6 feet from its hangingwall. The quart;-, is of solid forma tion and kindly appearance, and contains highly favourable mineral indications for gold. The latter feature has been common to most reefs intersected by the Company, and circumstances warrant the belief that gold will bo found when prospecting opera tions are commenced upon them.

Mr Gordon, Inspecting Engineer to the Mines Department, will visit the Thames in about three months in returning from Australia. The allocation of prospecting subsidies and the question of a high level waterrace depend upon his recommenda tion.

CIHLD DESERTION AT CHRIST CHURCH.

(BY TELECmAPH—PEESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHRisTciiDßCir, this day. A case of imposition, and of heartless desertion of a child, came before Mr Beethain, 8.M., yesterday. Two months ago an advertisement appeared in the local paper signed A.8.C., inquiring for some person to take chai-go of a baby six weeks Did. This was answered by a Mrs Allen, and on September 25th la9t a young woman, who said her name was Miss Me-! Leod, called and left a female child with Mrs Allen. She paid a month's board in ad vance, and said the father, whose name was I). Wood, would call and sign an agree ment to pay regularly for the child's main tenance. He did not come on the day up pointed, and since then the police could; find no trace of the young woman or the child's father. Mrs Allen was unablo to maintain the infant, and applied to have lior sent to tho Burnham Industrial School. Mr Beotham remarked that this was not i he only case of the kind that had occurred recently. Thoro was no suspicion of col lusion on Mrs Allen's part, and ho com mitted the child-to the Industrial School till it ia 15 yein-3 old. j

POLICE COURT. This Day.

(Before Messrs Clayton and Jervis, Justices.) Drunk. —Frank Smith, seaman, drunic and disorderly,:2os or Beven days, and David Mair., 08* ■',;'-• •■ ii •■ . : ■ Alleged Larceny b? Girls. — Roso Ann Jackson and Elizabeth Jackson, two young girls,'were charged with stealing.32 yards of cashmere, valuo t£2 Bs,"on the 3th Instant, the property of James Caughey; a pair of boots, 15b, thR property of Thomas Hatfleld; and a pair of boots; 8s (id, tho property of Isaac Earle. on the Cth instant. The cases were remanded lintfl Frjday, thefather becoming bail for their appearance in £25 oh his o\yn recognisances. On The Brink.—John Brennan, a'man of CO with dishevelled locks and clay-danb6d face, was found by Constablo Dewes in an alarming state of drunkenness and fjlth in the Ky ber Pass Road last night, and convijyed to tho sfatipn.— The old man pleaded guilty, and was Bent to Mount Eden, as he was unable to pay 10s, FpnorNO and Uttering.—Frank Edward Sewell jyaa brought up on three separate charges, (1) obtaining by false pretences the sum of £i and asiiit of clothe 3. £s'los, from John Howard Daltpri, tailor, of'VVellesl'ey-street East; (3) forging and iittfiring two .cheques, £510s each, with intent to defraud!—On the ap plication of Mr Napier, who appeared for tho prosecution, tho Bench remanded the prisoner until Tuesday next. Bail, self, £100, and two sureties in £50 each.

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

[via bp.indist.]

(From Onii London Correspondent).

London, October 27. The Events of the Week.

The two Anglo-Colonial events of interest of the. last few days have been the release of the Tichborne claimant and the trial trip of the steamer Aiwa. Trial trips do not, as a rule.excite much attention now-a -days, but Shaw, Savill & Co. are rightly proud of their splendid new vessel, and took some pains to show her off to the press, with the result that elaborate de scriptive reports of the ship and her run round to London have appeared in the "Daily Chronicle," "Globe," "Pall Mall Gazette," nnd other metropolitan journals. I send you tho " Pall Mall " account in ad dition to my own individual observa tions. The Arawa i.s unquestionably the most comfortablo vessol for passengora now in the antipodean trade. The Now Zea land Shipping Company's new e.s. Kai koura has been built on the same plan aa the Aorangi and Ruapehu. She is, how ever, 500 tons bigger, and haa consequently more accommodation for frozen meat. The Kaikoura's trial trip wan not signalised by any festivities—in fact, took place semi privately. Such particulars as I havo been ablo to ascertain will be found under the head of Shipping. The Claimant to the Tichbomo Estates livod so long in Australia, and lias so many acquaintances in your part of the world, that his doings might fairly bo chronicled amongst " Anglo-Colonial Topics." I have, however, thought best to tell the story of his release and prison lifo separately. Suffice it to say here that tho "fat man" has changed so in appearance as to be un recognisable. On' tho day of his re lease he walked for half an hour amongst fully two hundred people at tho Waterloo Terminus without attracting the smallest attention. He appears in public for the first timo next week. You will see from the variousinterviewslsend you thatMr Castro does not intend to resign himself to circumstances, but will work undoubtably to rou9e the country to a sense of his great wrongs. Spurgeon's Lectures. Mr Thomas Spurgeon's lecture on Now Zealand, at tho Metropolitan Tabernacle, realised £50 towards the Auckland Taber nacle Fund. The previous week at Croydon £100 was raised, and on Tuesday tho young pastor preached at Brighton for the same object. Mr Thos. Spurgeon's descrip tion of life in the colonies leaves much to be desired. He is not a shrewd observer, and falls into numberless blunders. "Truth," commenting on the lecture, says:—" Mr Thomas Spurgeon, of New Zealand, who gave a_ lecture on that country at tho Metropolitan Tabernacle last week, seems to havo the earno happy knack of combining worldlincss witli godli ness as his father, and tliero was capital "business" dono between them. Mr Spurgoon, junior, playfully remarked that the New Zealanders wero ' by no means tho outlandish people somo imagined, for they had all the best products of civilisation, including sewing machines, steam tram .ways, and Spurgeon's sermons.'" Mr Spurgeon, senior, returned tho compliment by congratulating the good people of Auckland ■on having a pastor so like himself—a man, above all things, who was fnot over - burdened with refinement, which is a thing not cultivated here,' with which remark the hat was sent round for subscriptions towards a new tabernacle at Auckland, of which! needless to say, Mr Spurgeon, junr., is to be the pastor." Helping a Colonist. The following paragraph from " Vanity Fair" will be read with interest:—The Duke of Manchester is enormously popular in the colonies, and is always ready to givo an "eligible" colonial a helping hand in this country, never forgetting those who havo shown him kindness daring his travels. One instance selected from many will provo this. A wealthy Queensland squatter had ontertainod the Duke with much hospitality during one of His Grace'? visits to that colony. A nephew of this gentleman having managed to dissipato a comfortable property, camo over to Eng land and enlisted in one of the household regiments. Tlie Duko hearing of this young gentleman'h escapade, not only in vited him to lunch, but. went to the trouble of interviewing his commanding officer, with tho rosult that Privato Blank has been selected for active service in both the last and the present Egyptian expeditions. Personal and General Notes. Mr Larkworthy, of the Bank of New Zea land, has presented tho Zoological Society with a white-backed piping crow from Aus tralia, for exhibition in Regent's Park. W, G. Goorgo, tho pedestrian whose ex traordinary feats this last summer havo eclipsed numberless records, sails for a pro fessional tour in Australia and New Zealand early next March. I see the New York papers refer mysteri ously to tho disappearance of a large sum of money supposed to havo been in the posses sion of Mr Charles De Komponeer, who died recently at Auckland. On ro-assembling after tho reccES, the Council of tho Colonial Institute passed a resolution expressing deep rogret at the death of their late colleague, Sir Robert Tonens, K.C.M.G., and conveying their sympathy in her bereavement to his widow. Sir Robert served 12 years on the Council of tho Institute,and had a vast circle of colonial acquaintances not only in Australia and Kew Zealand, but all over the world.

Mr Walter Honry Pearson, of Christ church, New Zealand, has been elected a Follow of the Colonial Institute.

Mr Harrison, the well-known Australian football player, termed throughout the colonies "-the father of the Victorian game," is at present in London. He has inter vie wed most of the leading metropolitan players, and is leaving no stone unturned to get the laws of the Rugby Association ana Victorian games assimilated so that in football, as in cricket ,one universal code would be used in ull parts ofthe world. It is, of course, a hopeless task! Two old and time-honoured institutions like the Rugby Union and Association are not likely to abandon their rules to oblige an Antipodean stranger. Major Te Wheoro and Mr Skidmoro have been spending a few days this week at Brighton. They returned home on Wed nesday night, much better for their short trip. Mr R. Laishley is still staying at Tavis tock Place, Bedford Square,. He pays occasional visits to the Agent-General, but I cannot ascertain how his business is progressing, or when ho is likely to return to Auckland. The death is announced of Vico-Admiral R. J. ■ Otway, of Castlb Otway, County Tipperary. When senior lieutenant of the Castor he was) second in command of tho Naval Brigado during tho operations in New Zealand, and at the capture of Kai vitti's Pah in 1848, for which service ho was promoted. The San Francisco mail which left Auck land on September. .15 was delivered in London this morning. Shipping and Passenger Notes. H.M. qschoonor Lark, attached, to tho Australian station, is to be I'e-coinmissioned for a further term of service. Tho new crow go out in tho Tamar. The N.Z. Shipping Co.'s Tonic arrived at Gravesend on tho 21st hut,, with 40 pas sengers and 9,000 carcases of frozen mutton. She left Wellington on Sept. Gth, readied Rio on 29th, left again on 30th, passed Madeira on the 14th Oct., and reached Plymouth on 19th, Total passage, 43 days. The charter, between the N.Z. Shipping Company and the White Star Lino has now expired, and as soon as she has discharged hot cargo Shaw, Savill's will take up tho lonic. Arrangemonts have been made between the N.Z. Shipping Company and tl.o Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company to run their steamers alternately, and thus secure a fort nightly steam service between London and New Zealand. ThoiKaikoura leaves on the 25th inst., the Arawa on tho sth Nov., the Tongariro on the 20th Nov., while tho lonic wiil mako her first trip for Shaw, Savill's a fortnight later. . f

• A fine iron ship of 3,000 tons dead weight capacity was launched at Dumbarton on the 20th October, from Messrs Archibald Mc- Millan and Son's yard. She has been built under the special survey of Lloyd's, ex pressly for Messrs Devitt and Mdore, and is intended for the Australian trade. She was named the Derwpnt, and will be com manded by' CaptainJ. R. Andrew! Her dimensions are as follow, viz:—Length, 275 feet; broadth, 40 feot 3 inches; and depth, 23 feet 10 inches, and 'she takes the highest class at Lloyd?s.

The Board of Trade have presented Cap tain Sirainonsen, of the Qerjnan barque Mpntezuma ; \yith a binocular glass in recog-, nition of hjs services £o the' Bhipwreckeij? crew of the Mignonette, which founderecl last July on her way to Sydney. • Captain John Bone, formerly in command of the Rakaia, and who has for the last twelve months been acting as chief officer of the Tongaririo, has been appointed com mander of that fine vessel. Captain Halle tt,

R.N., who has been in command of the Tongariro since her first trip, will take i charge of the new steamer Rimutaka as . soon as she is roixdy. The following arc tho latest bookings for ShawSavill's Arawa :— Mr and Mrs Walker, Mr and Mrs Beid and family, MValnglis, Mr G. Anderson, Dr. Dunne, Messrs Alex, and H. M. Matheson, Eustace, H. W. Howell, C. Garam, and John Lees. The P. and 0. Company's Valetta, which left Gravesend on the 21st insl., takes the following through passengers for Auckland :—Rev. Mr Boucher and Mr and Mrs Melville and family. The Kaikoura will embark her passengers at Gravesend to-morrow. She was not tried over the measured mile at Glasgow, i Frozen Meat. At the end of last week the retail butchers were absolutely paying more tor New Zea land mutton than for English. This stale of things, however, was too good to last, and with the arrival of the lonic from Lyttelton, and the Zenobia from the River Plate, both with largo consignments, rates fell to Gd lb., subsequently hardening to Gid lb. Tho lonic lias brought 482 pieces of beef, as well as 9,(501 carcases mutton, but none of either have been placed on the market yet. The Zenobia'a consignees are holding presumably fnr better prices. Messrs Ward and Stimpn^ quote—New Zealand mutton, 4n to 4s 4d per st. 81b. ; Australia, none offering j J liver flare, none offering ; Homo fed, :',-\ Sd to fw per st, of 81b. The lonic brought a large quantity of preserved tinned meats, viz, 300 cases from Auckland for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, G cases from Auckland for Y. W. Wheatley, 1.07 C eases from Wellington to order. Trial Trip of the Steamer Arawa. Although the weather was wet, cold, and disagreeable—in fact, the reverse of tempt ing for a sea [excursion—almost all tho notabilities who worked to ass.st at tho trial trip (of Messrs Shaw, Savill'a new steamship Arawa turned up on board at the time fixed for starting on Friday morning last. The majority of tho guests were naturally either Glasgow or Dumbarton " bodies," but I also noticed Mr John Dar ling (ofyourUnion Company), Mr Pettigrow and Mr Taylor (of the P. and 0. Company), Mr MeConnell (of John Laird and Son's), Mr McNaughton (of the British India Com pany), Captain Munro, Colonel Cuirie, Mr Galloway and others. The Arawa (like her sister ship the Tainui, now on the stocks) is the work ol Messrs Wm. Denny and Bros., who built nearly all the Union S.S. Company's boats. She has four masts and two funnels, and outwardly presents a very graceful appear ance, the clipper ftcm, terminating with a carved figure-head and well-arranged head vails contributing not a little to this result. The accommodation for saloon passengei'S excels in honafi.de comfort anything I have ever seen. The grand saloon is a spacious apartment extending from side to side of the vessel, eapablo of dining 100 passengers, and having, besides the main centre table, a series of small tables ranged together, so that small parlies can dine together «« in a restaurant or hold. This brilliant idea will of itself make tho vessel specially attrac tive, for friendly cotories of passengers would often like to enjoy a cosy little dinner together, away from tho general throng. Tho state-rooms, though unusually largo, contain only two berths, tho latter being (as I mentioned last week) on the Pullman patent, thus enabling tho passen ger to convert his bedroom into a Hif.ting room during tho day. To as3jst this illu sion the washing-stands, &c, aye in elegant wood casings, and can, in a moment, be changed into looking-glaas and what-not, whilst the walls aro artistically finished in Lircrusta-Walton. Altogether, I doubt if more comfortable staterooms can bo found in any passenger vessel afloat. At one end of the grand saloon stands a handsome American organ flanked by largo book cases containing a capital ship's library, and adjacent, but qnito distinct of itself, is the children's cabin and dining-room. The ports in the grand saloon aro big square ones similar to tho America's, and as in the Orient and tho Sorvia, light descends through a largo railed round well in the social hall. The latter, of course, has been built on the upper dock, and is a comfort able lounge, fitted with countlcs.s'sofa's, &c., and one of Brinsmeud's pianos. The ladies' cabin is a very much ornamented apartment with hand-painted panels (not precisely perfection) representing tho four seasons, Tho smoking-room calls for no remark. Accommodation for 52 second-class pas sengers is provided in tho poop, one-half the cabins being provided with two berths only. These state-rooms have very largo ports, which, consequent on their height from the water, can bo kept open almost in any weather. Such a boon is this that, despite tho contiguity of the scrow and extra motion, I expect they will be ravioli run after. Having now noted the features of the now steamer that specially struck mo, I will ap pend the official description: — The Arawa and Tainui are built through out of mild steel, and measuro 420 ft. in length, 4Gft. in breadth, and 32ft. depth moulded, tho gross tonnage being over 5,000 tons. Tho hull is constructed on the cellu lar bottom principle, each % ressel being capable of carrying 84.0 tons water ballast, by means of which a proper trim and draught can be preserved throughout the voyage as '.he coal is being burned out. The vessels have three complete decks, tho upper and the main docks being plated with steel throughout their entire length, and covered with teak and pitch pine respectively. Above t)is upner deck a citadel, poop, and"forecastle are erected, the decks of which are all laid with teak planks, the citadel deck being plated , with Bteel and otherwise specially strength- ; ened. The hull is divided into nine water tight compartments, extending to tho height of upper deck, inter • communication in 'tween decks being effected by water-tight doors of special construction. The whole design and construction of the vessel is such as fulfil allthe Admiralty requirements for merchant vessels eligible for employment by the State,' For the loading and discharging of cargo double steam winches of Messrs Clarke, Chapman & Co.'s make are fitted on upper deck at each of the forward hatches, and a steam winch and two steam cranes are provided for the working of the after hatches. The vessel is steered by an engine of Bow &MoLaughlan's.sperialmake, and screw gear by M. Paul & Co. is fitted at rudder-head for use in event of accident to the main steering gear. A powerful combined steam .windlass and capstan of Paul k Co.'s patent make is fitted on the forecastle hoad for working tho anchors. The accommodation for passengers on board is of the most luxurious description. The first-class accommodation is provided in the citadel house amidships, berths beiiig provided for 95 passengers. Dinner on Board the Arawa. All tho temporary passengers having embarked on board tho Arawa, she left Craigenaovan and started for a trip on the Clyde. Tho performance of the new steamer ovor tho measured mile gave the utmost satisfaction. Tho first run up showed 3mins. Slsocs., being at tho rate of 15.38 knots an hour, and the run down was effected in 3niins. fiGsccs., or 15.25 knots an hour. Tho two milos wero covered at an avorago speed of 1T).31 knots, or 17J miles an hour. The question of speed having boon tested, the company sat down to a sumptuous lunch, in which a saddle of prime Now Zealand mutton figured aa a. specially interesting dish. Mr Peter Denny, senior partner in the builders' firm, occupied tho chair, and after pheasants and "fizz," partridges and porter, beef and "Bass," salmon and tipsy cake, and cutlets and cur.icoa had Leon done full justice to, proposed " Success to the Arawa." Responding to the toast, Mr Galloway first spoke in glowing terms of the builders' work, and then rofeired to tho new triple expansion engines, which would, he averred, onable the Arawa to save 400 tons of fuel and carry 400 tons moro cargo on her pas sage out than- if the ordinary description were used. Afterwards Mr Wm. Denny, in ac knowledging the toast of success to his firm, said thoy had prep ired a manual for shipowners, captains and marine superin tendents, giving preciso information on every quality of tho vessels they built. The Trip Bound to London. ' The Arawa, the major portion of her company having landed, lay at anchor off Greenock on Friday night, leaving for Lon don the next morning. Here is an account <if tho run-round .-—Fine weather favoured •the voyage of tiro Arawa from the Clyde to the Thames, and thus, although the com pany of guests on board had an opportu nity of experiencing 'the comfortable ac commodation of "the ship, they had no chance of seeing how she Would act'imder slffess of wind and water.''Tho morning was bright arid warm for the season of the year as tho Arawa, leaving her native Clyde behind her, steamed under tho Jee of the isle of Arrah, whose heights 31 "brown Heath and shaggy wood-' were enveloped in clouds" of national mist, At Ailsa Craig, so well-known as a landmark in the North Channel, a steamer was seen stranded at the base of ±his precipitous rook, which' rises like a moun tain out of. the sea. The course of the Arawa.lay through the North Channel,

with the Irish coast in sight on one side, and that of Scotland on the other. 'An almost, straight lino down the Irish Sea was taken till off the Trisknr Light, and then, parting froui Ilia Irish coast, the Land's End was next sighted. Off the Lizard Head, on Sunday morning, the now steamer was signalled, the New Zealand flag being run up to the mainmast. Steaming through the Kngliph Channel and the Straits of Dover round to the Thames, the Arawa made acquaintance for the first time with a track she is destined many hundreds of times to traverse when crowded with human freight full of hope for a distant land of promise, sr when returning with men and women grown old in the colony, ■ full of anxious longing for a glimpse once more of their native shors. The Arawa arrived at Gravesend shortly before three o'clock on Monday afternoon, and is now preparing for herdeparture in the first week of November.

WKE€K «F A STEAMER NEAR ENGLAND.

Thirty Persons Drowned.

(Er CABLE.—COPYRIGHT).

London, December 8, News has boen receiver! here of the wreck of the steamer Poclihard, near Holyhead, on the north Welsh coast. The crew, number ing thirty, were drowned. The vessel was bound from Cork to Rotterdam.

A SEAMAN'S GRIEVANCE,

Yesterday, judgment was delivered by Mr H. G. Soth Smith, District Judge, in the case of Thomas P. Perry v. William Thomas Mincham (claim £8;), damages), which we reported last week.—Bis-Worship said that tho part of the claim which was made for false imprisonment might at once be dis regarded, as the false imprisonment turned out to have been malicious prosecution, and therefore, struck out from the hearing. Therefore, the only question for considera tion was whether there was any cause of action in respect of the breach of • contract which plaintiff alleged, and if so, what amount of damages should be awarded. The facts appeared to be that the parties met at Karotonga, . where defendant had a vessel lying, and that plaintiff, wishing to get a passage to Auckland, offered to work hia passage hither, which offer was accepted. The point of dispute was as to the agreement made between them. The defendant relied upon the ship's articles which plaintiff had signed, faid articles pro viding for a six months' engagement at Is per month, and the port of discharge to bo at the master's option. The Merchant Shipping Act, however, pro vided that a seaman might prove a verbal agreement with the master, apart from a«4 anterior to tho signing of the articles, but a master was not allowed to prove a verbal agreement. Such an agreement had been set up by the seaman in this case, viz., that he was to work his way to Auckland, and that the signing of the articles was a mere formality. It would be. absurd to suppose that a seaman would bind himself to serve for six months for the mini mum wages of Is per month in a vessel trading between the Pacific Jslands and. the Australasian colonies and the port of I discharge to bo at the master's option. Ji I Deemed to him, therefore, that there must I have been some such arrangement as that sworn to by plaintiff, and that his services were given during tho actual transit of the voyage. Consequently, he should have had his dis charge after the vessel maiie fast to the Auckland wharf, and defendant's prosecu tion of him as a deserter was equivalent to a refusal of that discharge. Plaintiff might have secured damages for malicious prose cution, but he had not been materially damaged by tho withhojdtog of the' dis charge, as Mi- Rowe's evidence tended to show. A judgment for £5 would probably cover any damage lie had sustained. —Judg ment therefore for £5 damages with coats. —Mr Theo. Cooper was counsel for plaintiff, and Mr F. Earl for defendant.

AUCKLAND INDUSTRIAL AND PROVIDENT BUILD ING SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Industrial and Provident Permanent Building Land and Investment Society of Auckland wes held last evening, Mr Thomas Peacock, M.H.R.,. presiding. From the report cresenled, it ap peared that the Society had made steady progress during the year, and the Board was enabled from the ap plications which were made for advances to invest the funds as they came in from subscriptions and other sources in securities of a first-class character, thus by rapidity of re-investment, doing a remunerative and profitable business, and avoiding the loss' arising from keeping unemployed funds in hand. Thomas Macky, Esq., Treasurer of the Society, retired after a tenure of office of four years, and the thanks of the general body of shareholders, the Board of Manager ment and the officers were due to that gentleman for his gratuitous services and ever-ready willingness to forward the Society's interests. Interest after the rate of eight per cent, per annum had been credited for the past year to investing mem bers, and out of the balance remaining, viz. L 1,045 10s sd, the Board recommended that a, dividend of three, per cent, be credited in accordance with the rules to investors' and borrowers' accounts. The statement of accounts submitted was^ as follows :— Recepts: cash in hand and bank, L 2,740 13s 9d ; investors' subscriptions, L 8,556 0.3 6d ; borrowers' repayments/ LU,275 4s sd'2 deposits, L 4,500- rents, E3S2 18s» mi surances, LI2S) 8s" 23"; entrance fees; JUSS 18s 9d; survey fees and expenses, WO 14a 3d ; books, L 8 14s Qd ; interest, Lsl ]s Id s fines, L57 4s 9d; total, L 28.207 18s 2d. Expenditure i Loans advanced, L 15.402 9s 6d ; shares withdrawn, L 5,72.) Os 2d ; de posits repaid, L4,G541357dj interest paid depositors, etc., L 955 16s lOd ; rents and rates, L3G7 ss; insurances, L 135 lCs 4d ; returnod fees, Ll6 7s 3d; survey fees, L7l 3s Gd ; office furniture, Ll u3;.miscellaneous, L 451 9s 7d ; cash in hand and in bank L 491 Us 5d : total, L28.2G7 18s 2d. Profit and Loss Account: Dr.—To bonus Ist October, 1883, L 334 8s lOd; interest paid depositors and holders of paid-up shares, L 877 10s Id ; general expenses, in cluding salaries, honorarfum, miscellaneous charges, rents, rates, printing, stationery, and advertising, L 506 2s lid; interest credited to investing shares at 8 per cent. ■ per annum, L 1,096 17s 7d ; balance, 1,1,015 10s sd: total, L 3.860 os lOd." .O —By balance, 30th Soptember, 18S3, L4OO 10s 7d ; books, L 3 14s 6d; rents, L76 ; fees' L79 19*; fine 3, L9G 18s sd; interest, L 5.203 7s 4cl: total, L3.8G0 9s lOd. In moving the adoption of the report,! he Chair man said the bnsiness was in a very healthy condition. All the securities, after 'being scrutinised by practical men, were sent .before the Committee of Directors; ' Never more than throe-fourths of their value was. lent upon them, and seldom even that' amount. They might aafely say their securi- • ties wore worth not less than LGO.QOO, or double the amount set down in the balance sheot. Although they were doing a larger , business, the borrowing members had paid L 4.000 more than last year, and it was still desirablo to have an increase of borrowing and investing members, in order, that the Society might have its basis . widened and sphere of usefulness extended. The Chair* man proceeded to point out that investment in the Society was a better means of saving than mere placing of money in a savings bank. He congratulated tho Society on the fact that after paying a bonus they had carried forward four times as much as on the previous occasion. In , seponding the adoption of the report, Mr Aickin said that owing to tho sound basis qii which they transacted buainess, there were ample opportunities for others to join. The election of officers then took place, with the result thatthe following were returned unopposed t Thomas Peacock, M.H.R., President; Graves Aickin, ice : Prosident- r ,-C. B. Stone, Treasurer; and the following gentlemen directors :—Messrs E. Hartley. H. Brett, J. Dacte, J. J. Holland,: C. Laßocho, J.: Marshall, P. H. M-ason, G. P. Fierce, and H.- G. Wade. ■• Auditor?: Messrs John Milne and R. Man,s ; Clarln A vote of thanks to Board and officers >M the Society •was carried on the motion of Mr Mackechnie, and duly acknowledged! lii Boeonding tho motion, Mr Malcolm re ferred to the courfe'sy with-which visitors (.o the pompahy!s office wore invariably treated. \:' .• ,: :- ■ \ : v r^;

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR; TUESPAYf DECEMBER 9, 1884,



WHY NOT DRESS WELL, When yon can get a MOSGISL TWEED SUIT, made to measure, FOB £3 3s. Latest Style and Perfect Fit Guaranteed. Thia is anothor instance of the power of Ready Money. WOOLLAMS, READY MONEY TAILOR, SYDKKHAM HOUSE, ■ Foot of Grey-street. X.l', HORIZONTAL ENGINE, BOILER, AND LARGE ICE MAKING MACHINE. To any person requiring Machinery of the above description, these things should attract their immediate attention, the Machinery being almost new and of the latest improved style, and complete in every respeot. The price is much below their value.—Full particulars from CHAS. H. OSMOND, Agent, • *;;>■■ 116, Queen-street. Auckland. hOALS! COALS 1 COALS! f rk. CASEY & CO. Having taken over the Agency ot the WAI KATO COAL COMPANY, beg to Submit to the: Auokland Public tho 'FOLLOWING PRICE LIST FOR BEST HOUSE .COAL : -12 sacks(l ton) .. .. ..22s d sacks (4-ton) .. .. .. 118 «d . 3 sacks (fcton) 68 THE ABOVE PRICEBINCLUDE DELIVERY. Steamboat Proprietors and' Large Con ' autners of' Steam Coal aa per arrangement. - Orders may be left at The Sheds. Railway Station ■ Waikato Coal Co.'s Offloe,Fort-st. J. M. Syms, Grocer, Groy-Btreot i J. Hawkes, Avon-street, Pamell :■■': M, Niccol, Queen-street- Wharf $St TO BUILDERS. Owing to my LONG EXPERIENCE in the TIMBER TRADE I am .possessed of advan tage for SUPPLYING PURIRI, TOTARA, or KAURI, any Length or Size, and will Guaran tee tiio BEST MATERIAL on the Shortest POrderfl N taken for SHINGLES. HOUSE BLOCKS, FIREWOOD, &c, or for Removal of Goods. , _ , Estimates given for Works. M. CASEY & Co., BAILWAY STATION, AUCKLAND. fO BE HAD AT ! DUNNE, HALL & Co.'s p'HBAP /NASH QAL'E:— Children's Summer Frocks at Is 6d and Is lid Infante' Braided Pique Dresses from la 9d Infanta' Braided Piflue Pelises from 5s 6d Children's Washing Son Hats reduced to Is 6d Children's Washing Sun Bonnets reduced to lsUd Children's Pinafores, 10 Jd, Is 3d, Is lid Fashionable Dregs Materials at reduced prices Special Talue in Black Cashmeres Special value in Black Broch6 Silks Corneta ftnd Underclothing at reduced prices Ladies' and Children's Gloves and Hosiery; best makes, fashions, and shapes, at reduced prices - ■ ,■ P" " ~ " Wool, Wraps, greatly reduced and Untrimmed Hats and Bonnets unusual reduction. [^Assortment ot Neck PriUings. SSSW2T"* EibbOM- &0-at A3 WB IfJTBND GlVltia UP BUBINBBS ALL THE ABOVE LINES ARE MARKED tDOWN AT CLEARING ERICES. m ij ■ ■ - •■ '■■ ' ■. ■--■•:•■ >



ISO DOZEN 4.-"R UTTON *R LACK Jp RENCH KID GLOVES, HALANCK OF A "" "f MANWACTURBR'S ' STOCK j Cleared by my London Buyer at a HEAVY DISCOUNT FOR CASH, And, although CHEAP AT DOUBLE THE PRICE The Kntire Lino will be GIVEN AWAY AT -IS. CD. pER PAIR. AS. "D. * AIR. All sizes from 5} to 8. HALF-A-DOZEN PAIBS OP THESE (ILOVES FOR 9.' WILL MAKE A NICE AND USEFUL CHRISTMAS PRESENT. j WILLIAM JJATTRAY,- j I 178, 180, 182, Quee ONEHUNOA AND AUCKLANI LINK OF COACHES. ADVERTISEMENTS May be placed in the handsome and commo dious Coaches which ran at short interval throughout the day between Auokland am Manukau. For terras and particulars apply at the offlc of Mr J. H. WITHEFORD, Shortlandstreel Auckland.orto R . p . HOLUg> Onehunga. BENSHAW'S "PERFECTED BAKING POWDER IS UNRTVAI LED. RENSHAW'S "PERFECTED" BAKINI POWDER is destined to command ready sale. RENSHAW'S "PERFECTED" BAKIN< POWDER cannot be surpassed fc Chrißtmaa Puddings, Pies, Cake; Scones, Tarts, Sponge Loaves, See Loaves, and all kinds ot Bread an Pastry. IF AT.T, COOKS AND CONFECTIONER KNEW ITS VALUE, which a single trii would nrovo. THEY WOULD NEVER BJ WITHOUT IT. RENSHAW'S "PERFECTED" BAKINI POWDER Should be in every house, and used by all goo housewives who delight to provide Good, Ligh and Delicious Preparations to gratify the palat and stomach of the homo treasures. don't fail to ask for . RENSHAWS "PERFECTED" BAKIN< POWDER, And see that you get it. RENSHAW'S "PERFECTED" BAKINI POWDER In supplied In Guaranteed ilb. and lib. tins, Sold at 8d and Is 3d each. RENSHAW'S "PERFECTED" BAKIN< POWDER Is Manufactured by F. & C. T. RENSHAW, MOUNT EDEN LABORATORY. READ! MARM LEARN! And Inwardly digest the following Testimonial! and then afterwards Digest Only Puddings, Pies, Tarts, Cakes, &c, &c., made with RENSHAW'S "PERFECTED" BAKIN( POWDER. SATISFACTORY EVIDENCE! GENUINE TESTIMONIALS! From the Rev. S. Macfarlane.—"Gentle men,—My housekeeper has tried your Bakin: Powder, and pronounces it truly excellent; wish you every success in your business.—l air yours truly, Saml. Mack ah lane, Dec. 3,1884. Mr J. Knott, Ironmonger, Grey-street - 'Gentlemen, —We have pleasure In stating tba we have tried your Baking Powder, and founi it quite satisfactory—equal in quality to any w have ever had, and superior to most. I have n< doubt as its merits become known you will Imv an extensive sale.—J. Knott." Mrs Monqbton, Hobson street.—" Messbi F, & C. T. Renshaw.—Sirs,—l have ever; confidence in recommending your "Perfected Baking Powder to ail my friends, and in fact ti the public at large. I have given it ample trial and find it to be superior to any other make '. have ever used. It only needs to bo thoroughly known to be universally appreciated and pa tronised.—Youra, &c, Ann mongston." CONFECTIONERS' EVIDENCE. " MESBRB F. & C. T. Renshaw.—Gentlemon,- Having tried your' Perfected' Baking Powder I have found it to be very good, and can hlghls recommend it—Yours, Sec, Fred. Freeman baker to E. Waters, Confectioner, Queen-st." " Messrs F. & C. T. Renshaw.—Gentleinen,- I have tried your 'Perfected' Baking Powder, and consider it exceedingly good, and shall have much pleasure in recommending it— Yours truly, S. M. Parkinson, Confectioner, 40, Grey-street. Auckland, Dec 1.188 J." nOKB. CO KB. CO Kb. TUB AUCKLAND GAS COMPANY LTD.) Invite Orders for GAS COKE. Delivered within 1 mile of the Works, for Cosh; longer liatances at proportionate rates :— Sample Sacks o£ three bushels .. Is 6d FiveSaoks 6s 3d ■ Eleven Sacks, or half ton ~ .. Us Gd Twenty-two Sacks, or one ton „ 22s 6d The Company s COKE is maile from the hesi (3i>;/aiouth Coals; is superior to that made from Newcastle coals, being free from Btone and clinker in a remarkable degree, gives a RELUaiLE FIRK, CLEARER & HOTTER THAN COAL, LIGHTS READttY, and MAKES NO SMOKE GOOD FIRK IN IC MINUTES. ©FFICKi FORT-STKEET, rgjKX. COKE. OOKB. THE DIRECT SUPPLY STORE, 249-QUEENSTREET-249 Auckland, A GOOD DINNER SERVICE of 28 pieces, only Us. A FRESH STOCK ot LARGE _ CUPS and SAUCERS, in different _ f!f patterns, at is. JK W MORE CHEAP PLATES AND W r DISQES.-Pheasant Plates, 2s and ~ . upwards; Pheasant Dishes, 6d and lj Cm upwards. 13 S Also, CHINA and GLASSWARE in R ' p variety, cheap and good. H m TOILET SETS (aU quaUties), O TRINKET SETS. LOOKING H \M ' GLASSES, &c, Sco. S cv FANCY GOODS~oFeVERY DES- Q 5] CRIPTION.—A Good Assortment, <"? g at Low Prices. jp M JUST OPENED. Some Beautiful Sub- jj tj jeots in PARIAN STATUARY; 2 O also. RAISED FLOWERED g S CHINA BASKETS, JARS, H H FLOWER POTS, &c, &O. Kj § CUTLERY VERY CHEAP. £0 M DINNER KNIVES, 4s 6d dozen; H &3 USEFUL TOOLS, KITCHEN O M . UTENSttSJio.; EGG BEATERS, W S is ; CANDLESTICKS. 9d ;BJ BREAD TRAYS, 6d; KITS, sd; ' . POCKET KOTVES, 6d. « ffi LAMI 3S. STOVE ORNAMENTS, £i "■ BELLOWS. m GLABS SHADES AND STANDS, in - all sizes. HANCHARD & CRANWELL, is" the direct supply store, 'si 249-Qdeek-st., Auckland.—249



There will be a promenade concert in St. Sepulchre's School-room this evening, during the Wesleyan Gift Exhibition.. Mr Impeyi Band has been engaged foj the occasion.



Buy the now Wilson Sowing Machine.—D, S. Chambers.—[Anyr.]' - " * The most Beautiful Ornamental Fire Screens ever imported to Oils City are to be seen at Garlick & Cran well's Furnishing Warehouse A largo assortment just opened up, varyine in price from Is 9d to 12s Cd. Ladies are in vitefl to make their selection early, as -we cannot replace the choicest of them this sooson.—Garllok and Cran well, Queen-street—JAdyt,