SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ITTnTT \vattti> /Thin KveninfT, c. r-n HIGH "WATER J To . momm , !).:() 81 NSKT.-Thls KvontaK, 7.17 BUNRISK.-To-inonow AIorn!:i: . 5.1 MOON"S AGE.-Liisi Qiiiiru-r, at.ili, r..'2 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Rmgaroonia, s.s., Tozcr, from Rvdncy MacgrcKor, 5.3., John.wn, from lviiiingnr.'i Gisborno, sell, Skinno-, irum ivjift Const waitaki, a.s., Crawford, for YVliangai'ei kato Macgregor, soli, May ward" fiom Line Islands

DEPARTURES.

JPonguin, s.s., Uronmrty, for Fiji Southern Cross, s.s,, Uoss, for (jteboirie OlenolK, 3.3 , Stcplicnson, for Tuuranj'a Orowiutai, s.s., Campbell, fur Westnon lona, 5.8., Amodcu, for l'.ussell Rowona,B.s., Norri3, for Jiereury fiav J'awn, brig, Duncan, for Thames

IMPORTS.

Per Australia—l 3 cases Parke. Davis and Co.s fluid oxtracts, resmoids and pharmaceuti cal preparations, 1 ease case-am snfruda. 1 case grindelia robustn, 1 cane licrkcri.; anuifolitt, 1 cage yerba santa, 1 caso yorba reuma. 1 case black ha a, 1 caso bamboo briar compound 1 caso casoara amaya, 1 case cascara cirdial, 1 case ergot. Jamacia dogwood and other tliiid extracts, 2 enscs herbs, 1 caso sugar-coated pUls.-J. C. Sharland and Co., Wholesale Dmg gists, VictorlastreotEast. Per Victory via L»uncdin-1 case silver 1 ease quinine, 10 casks soda hyposulpli, 1 cask cod liver oil, I casks glycerine, 2 cases Judson's ayes, counter cases, gums, fee, 1 case medicinal plasters, 1 ease solid extracts. 1 ease powdered roots, &c, 1 caso essential oils, 1 cu.se india rubber goods, i case 3 assorted patents.—J. C. bnarland and Co., Wholosalo Druggist" Vic toria-street East.

Por Candidato-1 ton soda bicarb. opt.-.T. C. Hharland and Co., Wholesale Druggists, Victoria-street East. For Kato llcUrogor, from Lino Islands-58 tons cobra, 2 live turtles. Per Rlngarooma, from Sydney-347 eases fruit, 221 gunnies. 2,7 mats, and 2I« ba^H sugar, UH bags bonedust, 4 carts, and 17 packages sun-

EXPORTS.

Per Penguin, for Fiji-SiO pieces and 3,000 ft timbor, 300 cases kerosine. 100 cases salmon. 111 boxes soap, 339 tins bißcuils, 81 kegs, 0 tierces, and 39 casks beef, 21 cases fruit, •> horses, a quantity of doors and sashes, and several paek ageß sundries.

wuh^ A.ssft cax^ sE--Atalauta- fi-°inTainu%

OittwaudsCoastwisk.— Atalanta.forTairun: Fanny Kelly, for Wtuuigitroa ; Totara. for Russoll.

The barque Antarcs was docked to-day for cleaning.

The brig Fawn left for Thames late yesterday afternoon. She looda timber there for Roek hampton.

Tho s.s. Southern Cross left for Gisborne last evening. Passonfjers: Messrs Robinson, Ledger, Downes.and 10 In the steerage.

Tho brlgantine Clansman left Brisbane for this port on January 8.

The schooner Onward arrived at Sydney from Auckland on January 7.

The schooner Gisboi-no arrived from East Coast ports today, with 370-sacks maize, 21 sacks fungus, 6 hides, 24 bales and 1 bag wool, 40 cheese, 74 pigs, and 9 pkgs sundries.

Thp s.s. Ponguin left for Fiji via Russell last evening. Passengers: Mesdames Fonton, Greenway, lloGillivray, Messrs Thompson, Fin layson, Peter, Ridley. Walker (2), O'Brien, Manners, Palmer, Staples, Foray.

t TJu> schooner Kate McGregor arrived from Line Islands this morning. She left port of loading on Doe. 20. On January H spoke a Hamburg brig from Brisbane bound for Tahiti in lat. 31deg. SS7min. South, long. U2deg. 69min.

The s.s. Macsrcgor arrived from Whangarei laa it evening with 10 cases fruit, 20 sacks gum, 13 bales wool, 12 boxes eggs, C horses, and the following passengers :—Mesdamcs Dollow. Fraaer, Mclvenzio (2), Maokay, servant and 2 chi dren. Misses Doiik and McKenzie. Messrs Wllloughby, MoKonsste, T. MoKonzlo, Mc- Gregor, E. J. Clendon, Craft. 1). McKinnon, Alison, Keefe, Sinn, Kennedy, A. Buchanan, Hartman, Kenealy, Maiden, Johnson. Mackav, McDonald Masters Sanford, Anderson, and Clark, 3jockoys, 3 grooms, and 3 in tho steer age.

ARRIVAL OF THE RINGAROOMA.

Tho S.B. Hlngarooma nrrived to-day at 10 v.m. She loft Sydney 011 tho 10th instant at 0 30 p.m.; passed the Three Kind's at 3 p.m on the 14th instant, and North Capo at 0 p.m. Passed tho s.s. Hauroto on the 12th instant at 4 p.m., and the. P.M.B.S. Australia on tho 14th Instant a' 1.43 p.m., from henco to Sydney. Had Jiijht south-easterly winds and lino weather during the passage. Passengers (saloon) for Auckland : Mrs Pounder, Misses Fuller and Dolman, Capt. McDonald, Messrs It. W. Jackson, F. Ivo Messrs M. F. Breen, H. Dyson. Ascher. N. Ross, Gardner, H. Gardner, W. J. Payne, H. C. Payne, Fell. For Russell: lire Patrink and 3 children. For Napier: Mr J. Kcaglcy. For Wellington: Mrs Haughton and 3 cliildren. Rev. John Dullea. For Lyttulton: Jfrs J. Mulligan, Dr. Orton. Messrs E. P. and J. O. Josling. For Port Chalmers: Messrs 11, It. Alston, Beovor, ami A. G. Wright. For Jlel bourne: Messre J. A. Freeman, \V. Forster, DaWßon, L. C. Lawford, anil 33 in steerage. Wo are indebted to Jlr Hobort Guy, purser, for press parcels, &0., and above report.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Lalla Itoolch, s.s., Bailey, from Waitara Anthoua, brigantinc, Carr, from Groymouth

Tho 5.3. Lallaßookh arrived from Waitara at 10 o'clock this morning, with 18 bead cattle and 6 kegs butter.

The brigantino Anthona arrived from Grey mouth this morning with 2fO tons coal.

Tho as. Douglas could not leave for Hokianga to-day owing to the stronp breeze blowing; should it havo moderated sho will leave to-mor row morning.

KAIPARA SHIPPING.

Helbnsville, this day.— Loading: J. C. Smith,.Tauhore. Loaded: \V. C.Wentworth. Pahi, this day.—Arrived:. Sarah Ann. Tb Kopuru, this day. —Loading: Ocean Banger, Grusmere, Vision, Marmion.

Aratapu, this day.—Loading: Waitemata. Robin Hood, Maria, Virginia, Camillc, Jand Toreo.

Dargaviixe, this ;flay.-Discharging coal Arutapu, schooner.

Heads, this day.—The Free Trader, Italy. Nightingale, and Uarcy Pratt should all gctout tvith a change of wind to-day.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Whasgabbi, this day.—Sailed: Waitaki, for Auckland, 10.lUa.rn.

BtENHEiM,this day.—Arrived: Mohaka, from Wellington, with the 'Frisco mail, 8.50 a.m.

Nelson, this day.—Arrived: Rotorua, from Wellington, 10.5 o.m.

Tauranga, this day.—Arrived; Glenelg, from Auckland, 7 a.m. Sailed: Suya.for Auckland, .10.15sa.rn. DUNEDIN, this day.—At tho Heads { Soukar, from London. RtrssHix. this day.—Arrived; Penguin an lona. Sailed: Penguin, for Fiji; and Ago Martin, for Thameß.

Auckland Sharemarket.

January 15.

Bank Ol Now Zeftiand-fiK ss; buyers, £22 os . Colonial Bank-Seltew, Jas New Zealand Insuraace-Buyora, 7Js South British Insurance-Buyers. 555; sellers. 668 Auckland Oas-Buyers. £916a TaupW Cool-Buycra, 17s Caledonian—l 2» 6d; buyers, 12a D^ep Level Croaa-Ss 2d, Sa 4d ; buyers, 3s M ( PrTnee^iwerial-229 Cd, 22s 9d ; bKyore, 225; London— Buyers, 2s M ; seller 0, 3b Darts— Sellers, 6s 6d Now Wnd-Buyerß, 93 JOSEPH NEWMAN, Chairman.

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

Mails will Close ab vuvm:-

Tma Day,

For Whangarei Heads, Pania, Waipu, Whan? garoi, Kamo, and Mangapai, per Macgrogor, at 4 p.m. For Watorford, Tauranga, etc., per A. Milbank,

.at 3 p.m. For Thames, pej? Anno Milbamk, at 5.33 p.m.

Wednesday, itith inst. For Tairua, per Atalanta, at 8 a-m, Per Ringarooma, as follo\ys :— Fbr India. China, Mediten-anean Ports, and Contlnantof Europe, at noon. For Austrian Colonies, and United King dom, via Suez aid Brindisi, or Naples, (or letters, &c,. specially SO prepaid and ad ilressed, at I p.m.; Monpy Or4ors for Austra lia only, at noon ; Registered Letters and Newspapers at noon; la^oLe^ters tor Sydney and Moloo».«M pnly, at 1.20 p.m. ; For Coromandei, jw Cp.romand.cl, 1.30 p.m. For Thames, por Eotomah»n#, at 3.30 p.m. For Thames, per Enterprise, #t 5.30 p.m. For Wlianpraroi Headß, Whangarei, Kajno, and Maitgap/ti, per Waitaki, at 5 p.nj. Thubsdat, irtji inst. For New Plymouth and Southern Porls, per Takapuna. at 8 a.m. For Walwora, Te Kapa, Craigleburn, and Warkworth, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Gisborno, Napier, and Southern Ports, per ■To Anuvi, at 11 a.m. For Waitara, etc.. por Argylc at 1 p.m. For Tauranga, Ohincmutu, and Opotiki, per Glenolg, at I p.m. For Mangawai and Kaiwaka, t>cr Buby, at 5 p.m. S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster. Chief Poßtofflce. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

January ir>, issi.

Abbott's Opera House—" Kust Lynno,"B p.m. liaylloM (I'onsonby) Bunday-suhoo] - Kulor (AinmcMit, 7..'!0 p.m. United Methodist Freo Olmroli—Ollleial S(-r men by Rev. S. Jlacfarlanu, 7.;-:o p.m.

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1881.

For the cause that lacks assistance. For tho wrong that needß resistance, For tire future in tho distance, And the koocl that wo win do.

Vkrv general disappointment is felt in Iho city at the announcement mndo in our columns last night that the opening of tenders for tho cutting down of Emily Place had been deferred in consequence oi difficulties that had again been raised in connection with St, Paul's Church. Upon inquiry wo lind that tho matter stands in this posit ion. It will bo remembered that St. Paul's vestry carried a resolution in favour of allow ing the work to go 011, provided thai the combined bodies undertook to rebuild St. Paul's Church on thu lower site, and provide the congregation with a building for worship in tho meanwhile. Thi.i proposition was accepted by the Coun cil, and it was generally supposed that the difficulty had been overcome. Later on, however, a letter wns received by tho Council from the Trust Board of the Anglican Church stating that the decision of St. Paul's vestry would bo invalid with out their assent, although not intimat ing whether tho proposed agreement would be ratiiied or opposed. At a sub sequent mooting of the Trust Board, the resolution of the vestry, as ac cepted by tho Council, was unanimously adoptod. Now it was supposed that the last obstacle to this important work had disappeared, and that nothing remained but to sign the necessary deeds. Tenders wero called for in anticipation of the ex pected commencement. But at this stage of tho negotiations a now and formidable objector entered tho field. When Messrs Hesketh mid Richmond, solicitors to the Trust Hoard, received instructions to prepare the deeds guaranteeing tho re-in«tatement of St. Paul's, they advised tho Board that tl c Council had no authority to cuter into .such an agroomont; that it would, therefore, be bad. and might bo set asido. They recom mended the aoeoptanoo of a sum cf money in compensation for the claims of the church. Tho "Herald" article to-day is written in complete and unpardonable ignorance of the entire facts, ami its attack on tho Trust Board was unwarranted. The Board, as we have already said, had given their unqualified assent to tho arrangement made by tho Vestry with the City Council, and it was only when the ad vice of their solicitors prohibited the ratifi cation of tho agreement, by declaring that "a ratopayor might successfully apply totlio Supreme Court to provont thu npproprin tion of the city funds for the purpose of re instating "that the negotiations werobrought to a dedlock. Our contemporary should take bettor means of informing itself upon tho facts beforo attempting to bring a public bodyintodisropute. In the face of thlsadvice tho Trust Board could not pro ceed further, and tlioy thon considered the alternative that had been suggested to them, and wero disposed to accept it. The negotiations were now brought back to the point at which they started when tho resolution to re-instate apparently furnished tho souglit-for compromise — for while the Council were ad vised by a competent architect that the re-erection of St Paul's could bo completed for less than tho Jt'S.OOO that had boon offered, the vestry were of opinion that the work, including temporary church ac commodation, would cost at least t'5,000, and thoy refused to take tho money whicli the Council had agreed to give.

Tho matter now stands in tho posi tion outlined above. Tho demand of the vestry and Trust Board for tho same building or ono equal to it at a lower level is not an unreasonable one, and tho question at issue narrows itself down to this—What will tho pulling down andro-crectionof St. Paul's cost? The simple way out of tho dilemma seems to bo for tho joint bodies to appoint, one archi tect and St. Paul's vestry another, with ono unitedly agreed upon as referee to decide, both parties binding themselves to abide the result. Or tenders might be called for pulling down the building, stor ing the material, and putting tho church up again. Valuable time is being lost, an im portant public work delayed, with a danger of its being permanently abandoned, ami all through a dispute which half-a-dozen business men might havo settled in a week. We hojie that all tho parties Interested will approach the subject now with the de termination to arrive at some agreement that will enable tho Frozon Meat Company to accept ono of tho tenders which were yesterday consigned to their safe.

The Public Finances.

Somh interesting information may bo gathorcd from tho statement of the rseoipts and expenditure of tho consolidated fund which has just boon published for the quarter ending 31st December last. From this it appears that the ordinary revenue has reached a total of £075,!)02 3s )od, made up as folluws :— Customs, £330,081 10s; stamps, jCIOj.TIU Os lOd i property tax, £250,374 ISs lid ; beer duty, $15,904 8s 7d; railways, £224,053 14s 7/1; telegraphic, £215,:!2.") 12s Sd ; registration and other feos, £9,u1(! llis Gd ; marine, £3,G40 3a fid ; miscellaneous, £9,100 Gs sd. To this there fell to bo added £0,101 15s fid of territorial revenue, and these with £212,333 17s 4d of balances and advances bring up tho grand total to £1,197,347 lfls 7d. Of this sum £348,310 12s wore disbursed In permanent appro priations, and £515,359 18s 7d in annual appropriations. Son-ices not provided for absorbed £1,810 Via Sd—not mi ex travagant bill for " extras "—leaving £105,354 to tho credit side of tho account, besides £100,301 18s Id of ad vances in the hands of officers of the Government. It will thus bo seen that, so far as the quarter's transactions arc con cerned, tho ordinary expenditure lias been within the receipts by somewhere about £100,000. But there is a heavy loan ex penditure, reaching a total of £278,452 17s Gd, which reduces the amount of cash, scrip, &c, in tho Treasury to £194,049 19s 2d, with i 251,587 4s Id of advances in hand. The million loan, whicli lias just been successfully floated in London, -will relievo tho "tightness of chest," howevor, and allow public works to be uninterruptedly prosecuted. The items of loan expenditure for the paßt quarter were as under :—Annual appropriation for immigration, £12,211 14s 7d; Public Works Department^ £2,558 • 16s sd; railways, j £139,895 2s 7d; surveys of now lines of railways, £2,490 5s 9d ; roads, £42,547 10» 2d; land purchases, £14,702 19s ; gold fields' roads, £6,779 5s 10d ; waterworks on goldfiolds, £4,390 9sOdj tolographextension, £1,15G9s lOd ; public buildings,£23,4ls 13s l.d ; lighthouses and harbour works, i'(JBO7 8s sd; charges and expenses, £422 9s 2d ; services not provided for, £200 9s ; transfers under sections 3 and 21 of tho Roads and Bridges Construction Act, 1882, to main roads account, £29,651 9s 9d; to district roads and river works account, £21,10 15s 5d Ono item which strikes us as peculiar is that of over £14,000 for land purchases, jvhich is just about double that which has been received during the quarter in the shapo of territorial revenue. Tho vast area of lands held and put up to sale and loaso by the Crown might have been expected to yield a larger sum than £7,000 odd. The largo sum spent on acquiring land is pro babiyapplied to railway purposes,but it may a step in the direction "of land nationalisa tion, for which tho Pt'omici' is said to have

Th.9 Committee to which tho designs for the Free Public Library and Art Gallery were referred haro, after nix meetings, redwood the number of competing plans to seven. The work was tedious, all tho measurements and quantities being taken out, and tho details of tho plans being examined, with the greatest care. Another meeting is to be hold to-morrow, when the Committee's final recommendations to the Council will probably be adopted.

His Honor Mr Justice Gillies sat in Chambers tliis jnorpjn^, when John Phelari, guinclfjcgo!-, of Aiatapuj Jan.is Mulquecny, Cartel', of Union-street, AuGklandj ' and John Clark, gumdiggor, of Karaka, were fjdjudioated bankrupts. !Tliese aro 'tho initial ca.=os under the now mode of pro cedure.

In our issue *of Thursday Inst wo menj tioned that n very young lady well-known in Auckland, and generally admired for IrtH- rare mupienl talent, was about to make hor di'birt upon Iho stage, playing Juliet in Shakespeare's well-known tragedy to Miss I'omeroy's Koineo. The rehearsals have beiii ho far Micrexxful that wo are now iit, liberty to mention that, the prospective (lybiituxt,: thus referred to is .Miss Mnriebel (Ireen wo )d,eldc.4< laugh terofJ\lrß.(.'.O reen wonel, ami that the performance hahbeen fixed to take place on Monday cvoning next. Although only Hi years, Miss Greenwood is a very a pi; and intelligent as well as accom plished young lady, and she is as well-

grown ns girls several years older, so that in form alone her presentation of Juliet, should be Hatisfuatury, seeing that the lovely (Japillot \%as only M years of age. The performance is sure to attract a •rowded " house."

The law vacation commences on the 25th inst.., and ends on the 10th of March.

A divorce case was on the Supremo Court Civil Sittings list yesterday, but tho hear ing did not evoiituato. The petitioner, under the Divorce and .Matrimonial Causes Act, was Mr Win, Swanson, clerk in the Native Lands Oiliee. He sought a decree for dissolution of his marriage with Emu, his wifo, on the ground of her having com mittod adultery with a native named l'iripi Wirihiui al, Kopua, in the month of March last. The necessary evidence and documents not being bofore the Court, tho cause could not be taken.

Many inhabitants of (his town formerly residents in Boston, Lincolnshire, will learn with regret, that Mr William Tnxford, of tho livin of Tnxford and Sons, enginoers, committod suicide by drowning himself, Deceased, who was highly respected, was 77 years old, anil for some time past had beon siiliming from bad health.

Tho following telegram was received from the mine manager of tho Deep Level Cross to-day : —" Fifty pounds specimens from slopes footwall leader. — (Signed) Jamim Corrrs."

John Strathearn, ox-detective, having re' signed his position in connection with the polieu at Dunodin, ret 11 mod to his favour [to Auckland by tho To Anaii, and will, wo iiudui'Btand, follow his trado oh a car ponter.

At Mr It. C. Greenwood's sale of subur ban lands, houses, etc., thoro was a very large attendance. Tho Soaviow property was offered lirst, and lot 18, part Section •-!•_>, was sold for £80, and lot 1 for £100. The bidding was not vory spirited, and the remainder of tho Seaviow property was withdrawn, ami is now open for private sale. The house in South-street, Newton, after a spirited competition, was knocked down for t-Jtili.

A special mcotingof the United Temper ante .Societies was held last night in Kobson'n Commercial Dining Rooms. The reports of the various committees wero read and adopted. Messrs Fleming, Ooklie, II em us, and Llothorham were appointed a committee to solicit trophies for amuse ments. Several other matters received attention, and the Committee adjourned until Monday next.

Robson's grand diorama of Iho Egyptian War will be exhibited for the first timo to-morrow evening in the Lorno-strcct Hall. The diorama bears a good reputa tion for accuracy of illustration and detail, and it, lias received very favourable notices from the Australian press. The stirring events of the war arc artistically repre sented, and include the bombardment of Alexandria and other moving incidents of the recent struggle. A large number of presents, watches, silk dresses, etc., will be liberally distributed during the evening.

A valuable city property, with frontage to \\ atcrloo Quadrant, opposite Albort Park, will bo ottered by auction to-morrow by Mr R. Arthur. From its close proxi mity to the city, this property should command a high price. It has boon divided into eleven allotments.

The Primitive Methodist Conference, now sitting at Dunodin, have made the following settlement of .stations for the coming year:— Nuw Plymouth--.1. Guy and J. Long; Wel lington- A J. Smith, P. N. Hunter, and W. J. Dean; Auckland—W. S. Potter and J. Boothroyd ; Invercargill—l). Duttonaml Laycock • Timnru—.Joseph Sharp ; Thames —C. E. Bailey, (ireendale, and W. Jones; Ash burton—J. Nixon; Christchurch—-.). Ward; Dunedin—C. C. Ward and .1. Uum bell; Mnnawatu—J. Clover; Oamaru—T. Sadler; Gcrnldino and Waimato—Vacant.

It is very desirable that there should bo a largo attendance at the meeting of tho Auckland Regatta Committee to be held in tho Club-rcom of the Waitemata Hotel this evening. The principal subject for con sideration is the proposed exclusion of Messrs MoArtlnir r.nd Co.'s new schooner Cygnet, now building by Messrs Lane and Brown, of Whnngaron, and whbh her builders and owners claim is eligible for entry nt the Auckland Rogarta. The decision arrived at will be important, as affecting a much-disputed point, viz., the possibility and advisability of classing vessels whicli appears to arise in the ease under notice.

An entertainment of a varied character was given in the Pnrnoll Wcsleynn School room last evening. The Rev W. G. I'arsonsou occupied the chair. There was n largo attendance. Sovoral glees were rendered by the I'aniell and Grafton Road Church choirs ; instrumental performances were given by Mr A. Wiseman, Mrs Clarke, ami Miss Withorford, Master Witherfoi-d, and Misses Uond and Witherfoid ; recita tions by Mr H. Adlington, reading by Mr Froudo, and a dialogue by tho Misses Lo Roy and Mclntyro ; vocal selections wero also rendered by tho Missoa J. Lambourn, Lo Hoy, White (2), Mr and Mrs Gotland, Mr Hales and Mr Sehofiekl, Misses Fleming and Clarke, and Messrs Middlcton and Fulljainoßi Tho singing of tho National Anthem brought the entertain ment to a close.

The monthly meeting of tho I'itt-strcot Wesloyan Band of Hope was held last evening. Tho school-room was well -filled with an attractive audience. The Rev. A. Reid occupied tho chair.An interesting and instructive address was delivered by Mr Downey : pianoforte selections wero rendered by Misses Reid mid Miss Con stable. Mr J. Rossor sang " Nil Desperan duin," and Miss Crago and Mrs Thome, "Tired." Recitations wore given by Miss Alice Constablo, "Tho Cripple Boy ;" Mr A, Rosser, " Woman s Inquisitivenoss j" Mr H. Campbell, "Tho Drunkard's Wifo :" and Mr (I. Yoarbury, "Tho Farmer's Fright;" with these and the opening and closing hymns and prayers, the hour and a quarter was well filled up, tho meeting closing at 8 45,

At tho meeting of tho Hospital Committee yesterday afternoon, it was agreed to ask the Government what amount of money was Fot free by tho Hospital Reserves Act of last session ; tho balance of that money now available : and what is tho amount annually accruing from Hospital endowments. It wns decided that nominations of candidates •as committeemen be received up to 31st January, and that tho annual meeting of subscribers and election of now committee take place on tho 7th February. The Hospital engineer sent a letter intimating his intention to resign unless his pay was raised ; referred to Houso Committee, to report next meeting. The Colonial Secre tary doclined to sanction purchase of a £30 microscope for use in the Hospital, The other business was of n purely formal nature.

Tho fortnightly meeting of the Sir Henry Havelock Band of Hope was held last night. Tho attondanco was not so great as might liavo been. Tho Presidont, Mr D. Goldio, occupied tho chair, and gave a vory interesting -reading ; ho also promised an award of ten shillings to tho boy or girl who succeeds in obtaining tho highest number— above six—of now membors during this quarter. Mr G. O. Griffiths gave an eloquent address on "Temptation," which was fully illustrated and highly appreciated by tho members. Hymns from Haylos's collection were sung, Miss Battensby pre siding at the piano. Announcements re demonstration were made, and tickets issued to members at half-price, Tho meeting was closed in the usual way, after which several additions wero made to the pledge book.

Our Port Albert correspondent writes :— "The annual meeting of the Port Albert Agricultural Pocicty was held on Thursday at Mr G. Judd's. There was a good attend ance of members. Mr C. Judd was elected President, Mr J. S. Mawer, Vieo-Presidont, and T. A. Gubb, Secretary and Treasurer, The Chairman announced that the judges appointed to award special prizes for the bust standing crop of whoat had reported as follows |—rlst prize, T. A. Gubb ; 2nd, D. Becroft; 3rd, A. IJeal; 4tl), W, Causley; sth, G. Dibble. The noxt meeting of the Souiety will bo hold at Mr W, Marsh's, Wharehino. It must have been gratifying to Mr Andrew Webster tho kindly feeling shown to him and his young bride on his return from town, On landing from tho steamer his fellow-workmen at tho Toponnl Sawmill carried him shoulder high, and cheered him again and again ; at tho samo time, Messrs Nicholsons and Sons iljdiiot fail to show their appreciation of an employe" who had been maiiy years in their employ."

An indecent assault is reported to have boon perpetrated at Onehunga within tho last day or two upon a child of live years, the offender being a man well known in the township. The matter is now in the hands of tho police.

We are informed that tho sum of i'Boo was yesterday offered and refused for the /witter horse, which is being exhibited at the Auckland Hotel stable, and has excited great curiosity among the horsey fraternity. Several veterinary surgoons pronounce the formation to bo unprecedented. Tho keeper, Mr Glover, intends to travel with tho animal for purposes of exhibition through the country. Tho hor*o was dis covered in the Urewera country, where it had been used by the natives as an ordinary hack. It is about five years old.

" Paterfamilias " writes wanting to know if we are to expect any more femalo domestics shortly, as plenty appear to arrive in the Southern towns. ' He adds: "At present a decent domestic is not obtainable. Your colonies show this great want, and tho discomforts any number of families are at present suffering in consequence."

A woman named Margaret Earstow, well known to the police, was arrostod today on a charge of stealing a pair of trousers, value "is, the property of William Halt. While in the police cells the woman ex hibited symptoms which afforded conclusive evidence that she was suffering from the effects of excessive drinking, and she was consequently taken before His Worship the Mayor, and remanded for seven days. The police then had her removed to tho Gaol Infirmary.

A brigantine inside Tiritiri was signalled went we went to press.

A meeting of the Committee of the Clark Testimonial will beheld to-morrow at Mr Stodart's oflico, Insurance Buildings] Members having subset iptions are icquesto to send them in.

THE DIRECT STEAM SERVICE.

AlioUT a fortnight hence the direct steamer Doric will probably put in an appeai-anco. Having left London on December IS, sho is now tliivty dayn out, Tlio New Zealand Shipping Company's now steamer Ruapehu, wo also learn, is now on tho way from Plymouth for this port, having left l'lymouth on January 12, Sho may thero fore be expected to arrive about the end of February.

FIRE AT DEVONPORT.

Mr D. J. McLood's Residenco Destroyed.

A l'F.rti'KCT epidemic of suburban fires would

appear to prevail in Auckland just now. Another outbreak occurred immediately beforo daybreak this morning, in the marina suburb of North Shore, and re sulted in tho total destruction of tho residence formerly known as Mr J. B. Russell.-!, but which was recently purchased for £:t,OOO by Mr D. J. MeLeod, local manager of the Australian Mutual Provi dent Assurance Company, and has since been occupied by that gentleman. Tho firo was discovered about three o'clock this morning by tho servant girl, who is named Ellen Norman. Sho immediately raised the alarm, and tho family made their escape without delay. Mr MeLeod is of opinion that the firo originated in tho back part of the houpo, where the kitchen and wash houso are situated, because when ho came down stairs tho rear part of tho dwelling was completely in the possession of tho llames. The house occupies an isolated position, being nearly a milo from the centre of Dcvonport, so that very few persons were present. Nothing could be dono to savo tho house, which was com pletely destroyed within three quarters of an hour of the discovory of the outbreak, Very little furniture was saved, but those present succeeded in getting out a piano valued at i'oo. Mr MeLeod valued his fur niture, jewellery, plate, Ac, at £I,OGO, out of which barely i'loo worth is saved. The furniture was insured in tho Norwich Union OHico for £700, und the building in tho Sun Otlice for £1,000. Mr MeLeod had only been living in the house about six weeks. The cause of the fire is not known, but the outbreak is believed to have originated in the wash-house or kitchen. Mrs MeLeod says tho servant was washing clothes in tho former apartment during yesterday, but that beforo retiring to rest at midnight she inspected both kitchen and wash-house, when everything was right. The residence was one of 15 rooms.

ACCIDENT IN NEWTON.

AN accident of a ratlior serious character happened in Kast streot, Nowton, this afternoon to ii boy of twelve years named Frederick Bauer. Ho was riding in tho vicinity of the York Hotol, when ho was thrown from his horse His ribs woro hurt, and contusions sustained, but it is nnt believed that any bones were broken, Bauer was taken to tho Hospital for treatment.

SPORTING NEWS.

Tho Wellington Cup,

Wellington, this day. TirK following are tho final payments for the Wellington Cup, 2 miles, run on the Ist of February : — 8 til) Btlb ■Wolcomo Jack .. fi fi Tim Whifller ..8 0 Snlvugcf .. .. Sl3 ThoPoett.. .. 7 t Mischief .. .. S 8 Kormanby ..6 8 Vanguard.. ..8 7 Kefrigorator .. G 5 liconutat .. ..8 1 Miss Juan .. 0 5 t Inclusive of penalties. Wklmxcitox, this day.—Libeller and Musketeer have been scratched for all en gagements at the Wellington Meeting.

To Awamutu Knees.

Tho following weights were declared to day for the Te Awamutu Kaces, which take placo on 29th January ; —

Hurdles.—Rakau, list 121b; Quilp, list; Evening Star, lUst 71b ; Orakau, lOst ; Cossack, lOst; Fishorboy, lOst; Chanticleer, lOst; Wildnian, 10st r Te Awamutu Cpi".—King Quail, 9st 71b ; Rewi, Sst 71b ; Larry, Sst 21b; Venture, 7st 121b; Snake, (Sst 121b; Victory, Cst 101b ; Gasaor, Cst ; Doctor, Ost. ' Wm. Peucival, Handicapper,

Salvage lias boon scratched for the Takapuna Handicap, and Fly's weight for the Hurdles is 9st, not 9st 71b.

SCINTILLATIONS.

An Undesirable Loan. —A cyclone,

New Zealand Methodists going in for Federation.

Fire Brigade Conference opens at Nelson to-morrow.

Tho Mataura, from London, is to dis charge at Duncdin Wharf. -l"2f,000,0001bs of cheese are made every year in the United States.

Tho mosquito's auger is an appropriation bill.

Westport colliery, where 30 men aro onv ployed, has temporarily suspended opera tions.

Otago Bible Society has during tho last 20 years distributed over 20,000 copies of the Scriptures. When docs a tree feel contented ? When it's sappy. It is npt right to make game of a man out of season.

Dennis Ryan, escaped from Wellington Lunatic Asylum, is supposod to havo dc stroyod himsolf. What did the Hospital Committee want with a £30 microscope? Was it to check tho drink account with ?

Local industry nowhere. The QtteenE, land Government are having six new loco motives mado in America.

Mr Montgomery,tho leader of the Opposi tion so-called, has gonp to the Hpt Lakes. Thus he always deliberately gets into hot water.

An old maid's laugh—He !he ! he! The bachelor's refrain—a lass ! The maiden's refrain—ah men !

Wellington Working Men's Club shows a credit balance for the half-year -of £3S. Assets exceed liabilities by £567.

A man named Kirkpatrick is in custody at Timaru for housebreaking arid tlieft of money. The Chinese should bo good fighters— fast colours do not run, and the Chinese certainly wash well. Tho silence which reigns in a cornfield well provided with scare-crows—is it not a case of an effect without caws ?

The annual cost value of butter and cheese produced in the United States is £G3,000,000. Kingite natives meet to-day atKakapuku Hill to bury their differences and unite in re-erecting the trig station lately pulled down. Edward?, the pedestrian, Bent the follow ing telegram to his " friend " Pollock at Wellington :—" Good-bye. Think I will liavo a pleasant voyage. Compliments of the"s6ason;'" The "Tost" says others besides Pollock' regret' the walkisfc's sudden departure, ■

CABLEGRAMS.

[KKUTKU'S CAULKORAMB.]

THE FRANCO-CHINESE WAR.

Decisive Attitude of China,

London, January 14.—A telegram has been received here reporting that the Chinese Government has decided to oppose tho French operations in Tonquin, and that a strong body of Chinese troops have commenced an advance towards HachNinh, with the view of occupy ing the town and holding it against the French.

Six thousand Chinese troops have entered ToiKjuin for the purpose of reinforcing the Black Flags.

Honii Kosci, January l!t.—News is to hand from China that French missionaries have been maltreated by the populace in Beveral Chinese cities, and that some of thorn have been imprisoned by the Chinese authorities, Evacuation of Khartoum. Paris, January 13.—The Egyptian Minister for War lias started for the Soudan to supervise tho evacuation of Khartoum, which will commence immediately on his arrival there. « [SCKCIAL TO I'KKSS ASSOCIATION.] London, January 14.—Dr. Alfred Barry, recently consecrated to the metropolitan sco of Sydney, ollieiated ut Osborne yester day. The "Times" this morning denounces the admission of Frenchmen to minor posi tions in the Egyptian Ministry. TheKightliev. WilliamJacobson, Bishop of Chester, will shortly resign.

Mr Westgai-th has offered £1,200 as prizes for the best essays on buildings most suited for the poor, and also for the best scheme for rebuilding central London.

Cordon Pasha urges that the Turkish and Anglo-Indian contingent should recapture those towns in the Soudan which have been taken by Xl Malidi.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[PKB H.S. RINQAKOOMA TO-DAY.]

Syunky, January 10. Mi.visTKiis aro preparing for the Budget Statement, which will probably bo made on the 24th instant.

Heavy duties liavo been paid to the Cus toms in anticipation of a change in tho tariff. Over X'B,ooo were paid in one day on tea.

The extreme heat of tho weather is being severely felt, and the deficient water supply, especially in country districts, is becoming lerious.

It is rumoured that Dean C'owpei- intends resigning as soon as Bishop Barry is in stalled in the diocese.

Additions ure to be made to tho Custom House at a cost of £45,000.

A terrible coach accident occurred at Port Macquarrie on Sthinst, by which t.ro persons were killed and two others seriously injured. The brako broke, and the horses becoming unmanageable,the coach upset.

The six French escapees have been re turned to Noumea in the French transport Cher.

The agitation for tho prohibition of the import of opium, except for medical pur poses, h gaining ground.

Biusbaxe. The Metropolitan Tramway Co. propose to employ horse traction.

Specimens containing 700 ounces of gold have been obtained in the claim of the Wilmot Extended Company, at Gympio.

Melbourne,

Lord and Lady Roscberry have returned from Tasmania. At a banquet given to His Lordship by the Mayor, Lord Rosa* berry spoke of tho colonial connection with the Empire, and said that it was one of alTection, and no ono could willingly think of this tio as having been broken.

General Sir F. Paul Haines, lately Commander-in-Chief in India, has returned here after a cruise in the Miranda amongst the Now Hebrides and other Pacific Is lands. All the war-ships aro ordered to rendezvous at Hobart.

The old Volunteer force has been dis banded, and re-enrolling for the Militia is proceeding. MrKerford, Attorney-General, has been soriously ill, but is now recovering.

At a banquet given to Mr J. B. Patterson, previous to his departure for Europe, Mr Berry responded to the toast of '' Success to Federation," and spoke with great energy. Ho said the movement had arisen out of the practical evils that threatened the colonies.

MURDER TRIAL AT DUNEDIN.

[BY rELEGRAPII.—rRESS ASSOCIATION.]

DUNKDIN', Monday. The charge of murder against William Pearco for having stabbed Matilda Hancock has occupied the Supreme Court all day. The evidence was much tho same as that given at the inquest, but was stronger against tho prisoner, as a witness named Freeman deposed that prisoner had ad mitted to him having committed the deed, saying that he had struck the woman when sho had provoked him, but did not intend to kill her. His Honor summed up strongly against the prisoner.adding that a recommendation to mercy would no doubt havo duo weight, At seven o'clock the jury returned to ask whether a verdict of manslaughter would bo accepted, stating they were of opinion that tho prisoner had done tho deed"without premeditation. His Honor directed them that tho n'^once of premeditation would r<4 n'.i.in :,.luce tho crime to manslaughter. A later telegram says : —Tho jury in the murder case were locked up all night. The foreman said thero seemed not tho slightest probability of tho jury agreeing. Dunedin, this day. Ten of the jury in Pearce's caso were for a verdict for murder, and two for man slaughter. It came down to eleven at ono t'.me. On the Court re-assembling, tho foreman announped that they wero unable to agree, and tho jury were discharged. A fresh trial lias boon fixed for Monday next,

ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

"She Stoops to Conquor."

This superb comedy was repeated last night to a good house, and with improved effect. Miss Pomeroy again appeared to groat ad vantage as tho heroino, Miss Hardcastle, who has to affect the airs, dress, and manner of a country barmaid in order to win the affections and stimulato the amatory courage of the timorous lover who by parental agreement had been de signed as her lover. There is no need, however, to explain the plot and charac teristic features of such a classical comedy. Suffice it to say that Miss Pomeroy played the leading part with charming naivete and pretty coquetry, at one and the same time manifesting her rare qualifications as a comedienne, and tho great versatility which one night can essay with success such a heavy, deep, and sombre impersonation as that of "Hamlet," and tho next can assume with undoubted effect its direct antithesis in "She Stoops to Conquor." Mies Florence Colvillo was the first local impersonator of the leading part in it, and since hor impersonation, now some Binc|or ten years ago, tho play has not been staged. Miss Pomeroy deserves full credit for the revival of such a work of genius. On Saturday night the sub? ordinato characters—or, at any rate, a majority of them — were not well up in their lines, and the spark ling dialogue had in consequence to bo eked out with a considerable infusion pf puerile "gag," which marred the effect consider ably. Last night there was some improve ment in this respect. Mr J. J. .Kennedy was the most conversant with his part, and his Tony Lumpkin on Saturday night was such a decided " hit" that he received the honour of a call before the curtain all to hint: self. Last night he shared similar honours with Miss Pomeroy.andMessrsElliott, Joyce, Hall, and Miss B. Lewis, He is a capital low comedian, and plays his parts both with judgment and taste. Mr Elliott ap peared to undeniable advantage as young Jlarlow, and his amusing acting in the tete-a-tete with his intended jiancer fairly brought down the house. Mr Joyce made a good 'Squire Hardcaistlo, Miss F. Lewis a pretty Constanco, Miss B. Lewis an effec tive Mrs Hardcastle, Mr Dillon an accept able Hastings, and Mr Arrow-smith a be comingly clownish Diggon.

"East Lynnc" is to be reproduced to-night.

"I am a broken man," said a poet. " Well," said his friend, " I inferred that from your pieces,"

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Own London correspondent, writing on November 30th, says :— Newspaper folk and others, who,liko myself.desire to forward letters to New Zealand by tho quickest route, nro in n rave quandary this after noon, for tho special mail per direct steamers Aornngi (leaving Plymouth to morrow), and the ordinary one viaßrindisi, both close at ") p.m., and it is really Very dillieult to decide which will get out first. Given good steamers,! should bo inclined to lay odds on the Brindisi mail reaching the Bluff before tho Aorangi enters Port Nicholson. The New Zealand Shipping Company are, however, confident that the latter will be comfortably in harbour at Wellington within 42 days from to-morrow, (December Ist), and of coui\se if this ex pectation should be realised, the Bripdisi mail will (vulgarly speaking), not bo in it. _ [The event has shown that the Brindisi mails (which reached Bluff early yesterday morning) have anticipated those by the Aornilgl by about a week. Tho old steady-going San Francisco route has, how ever, proved its superiority by its mails reaching the colony first,' although despatched a full week later than by the other two routes. Our correspondent fore paw this possibility, and accordingly sent a duplicate of his letter by each route.]

The Sailing of the Northumberland,

The Northumberland, which should have sailed for Auckland on the 23rd, lias again been put oil', and now nobody seems certain when she will go- The vessel is being riggod out with tho most elaborate Bell- Oolcman apparatus. Jler freezing engines are the largest ever fitted to a sailing ship, and I hear she is expected to bring Home (either from Christchureh or Ounedin) at least twenty-three thousand carcases. The "250 odd passengers booked by the North umberland have been hanging about in London for upwards of a fortnight, and are mostly living in hotels at Shaw, Savill s expense. The ship, however, is quite full of cargo, having, I am told, shut out several hundreds tons.

Launch of tlio Ruapohu.

Tlio launch of the Rus.pehu, the third of the livo steamers which Messrs John Elder and Co. (ire building for the New Zealand Shipping Company, came oil'at noon on the 19fcli inst,, in the presence of even a larger company than assembled to do honour to the christenings of the Tongariro and Aorangi. Mrs Coster, who, it was casually observed, had come over from Christchurch specially for the occasion, performed the solemn ceremony of breaking a bottle of "extra-dry champagne" over the vessel's stein, and then, the supports having been removed, the great hulk glided swiftly and smoothly into ita native element. The Ruapehu will, in all essential respects, be a sister ship to the one you have already seen, so I need not givo a desciiption of her. The Iluapehu lia'ving been successfully introduced to the waters of the Firth of Clyde, the christening party adjourned to Messrs Elder's offices, where cake and com plements, sweet speeches and dry cham pagno, became the order of the day. Mr Pearco (of John Elder and Co.), in proposing success to the Ruapehu, re marked that the New Zealand Shipping Company was the only ocean-going Colonial Company in the world. He thought these fine new steamships would stimulate the trade between New Zealand and the Mother Country. They were all of the highest class, and built specially strong, so that in case of war they could be used not only as transports, but for fighting purposes. That put him in mind that the colonies might some day have to look after themselves. The recent action of the Colonial Office and the general policy of the Ministry in relation to British colonies almost justified the conclusion that the Government had no very great liking for our colonists or for our colonies, but only considered what was ex pedient for the moment. At the conference which was to bo held in Sydney next month all the representatives of the Aus tralasian Colonies would probably declare that they will have a federation, which would in a sense put them in a much more independent position than they were at the present time. He belielved it was the proper thing for the colonies to do. The conference looked very much like the com mencement of a federation, and he had no doubt that in the absence of actual federa tion the colonists would find it convenient to confer whenever they were dealing with matters in which their interests were iden tical. The colonists might be quite sure ■ that if the Home Government had no policy they would listen the more readily to those more immediately concerned: and if the Aus tralian colonies should confer together and give one unanimous opinion to the Imperial Government at Home,it would then be felt that it was the duty of the Imperial Go vernment at Home to abide by what the Federation of the Australasian Colonies recommended. (Hear, hear.) The matter was one upon which he felt somewhat strongly, and he thought when they saw how cavalierly the request for the annex ation of New Guinea had been treated by the Government that the colonists should speak out boldly on the matter. He pro posed "Success to the Ruapohu, and the Chairman of the Company."

Mr Coster t in returning thanks, was effusively complimentary to the firm of Jolm Elder and Co., and pointed out that the building of the Aorangi was a feat of ship building almost unparalleled. Why, if all went well, the steamer would have made the voyago round the world within twelve months from the time her keel was laid down. That was a feat of which tho Elders might well be proud. Tho Ruapehuwas the third vessel the firm had built, and he hoped sho would not be the last. (Applause.) Ho proposed the " Health of the Builders," coupled with the naino of Mr Pearco.

Mr Pearce responded in a few well ohosen sentences, and then proposed the " Health of Mrs Coster," the lady who had come all the way from New Zealand to name the ship.

The toast having been drunk with ex treme heartiness, Air Coster replied on behalf of Mrs Costor. Aftor this the cake having come to an end and tho compliments being exhausted, the company broke up. [A telegram received this morning states that the Ruapehu left Plymouth for Auck land direct on 12th inst.]

The "Globe" on Australasian Federation.

Lord Derby's favourable attitude with reference to the federation question does r.ot please the Conservative journals. Tho 'Globe,' remarking thereupon, says : —"The cautiousness shown by Lord Derby in his correspondence with tho Agent-General of Victoria may he highly laudable, but we should have been as well pleased if he had not reserved it exclusively for the question of New Guinea. That far more important matter, the federation of Australasia, re ceived something like direct oncouragement from the Colonial Office. We find the colonists told that ' if they should decide either upon confederation or upon united action in regard to this particular question, there would be much less difficulty than at present in arranging for the transfer to them of tho obligations of this country in respect of neighbouring native com munities.' The 'particularquestion'being that of tho annexation of New Guinea and other Pacific islands on which the Australian heart is set, this suggestion is really nothing elso than a bribe to our Antipodean kinsmen to sever their connection with tho Mother Country.in part or in whole. Lord Derby must know that if England were to transfer her' Imperial obligations in the Pacific to her Australian settlements, the strongest tio binding them to her would bo broken. In all parts of tho world British colonists value the maintenance of their connection with the Mother Country not merely for sentimental reasons, but because it gives them the protection of the greatest maritime power in the world. Lord Derby ought to know too that the shadow of dis integration lurks behind federation. If ho is not awaro of the fact, let him ask any intelligent Australian now resident here, and we make little doubt the answer will bo that the scheme on which Lord Derby looks so sympathetically has within it the germs of the United States of Australia."

Mr YV. Delislo Hay, author of that sprightly but not always veracious volume, "Brighter Britain," contributes a short story to the Christmas number of " London Society." Tlio Sinking of the St. Leonards. An action for collision was brought by the General Steam Navigation Company, owners of the steamer Cormorant, against. Messrs Shaw, Savill, owners of the St. Leonards, in the Admiralty Division of the High Court of Justice on November 24th. The circumstances of the affair, which resulted in the sinking of the St. Leonards in the English Channel on 17th September last, are well known to your reader?, and need not bo recapitulated here. Tho trial occupied two days, but it soon became evident that the bringers of the action were in reality the defendants. The weather at tho time of the collision was very foggy, and both vessels were blowing foghorns at specified intervals. Tho Cormorant's whistles, &c, were heard aboard, the St.

Leonards, but the former's crew say they couldn't hear the horn of the latter. Ab tho horn in use on the St. Leonards was an ordinary mouth affair, and not one of the now mechanical apparatuses recommended by the Board of Trade, the Court thought this just possible, and censured Shaw, Savill for not supplying their ships with tho latest im provements. This was really the sole grievance that could be bi ought against the S!\ Leonnrds, and it is not a very big one. The Cormorant, on the contrary, wag pretty clearly proved to have been going far faster than $he ought, and I shouldn't wonder if Shaw, Savill bring an action for damages against the General Steam Navi gation now. The following is part of Mr Justice Butt's decision in the case. His Lordship said : —"Tho result at which we arrive is, first of all, and apart from the question of the fog-horn which was used at the time —tio blame is attributable to the sailing vessel. Wo are all of us clear upon that point. In that respect tho sailing vessel was not to blame. Now, then, comes the question—was there any negligence on the part af tho steamer that caused, or con tributed to this collision. That is a ques tion which wo have considered with great care, and not without some anxiety, and tho conclusion we have arrived at is this— that by the use of a proper amount of cau tion on the part of t/tc steamer, this collision might have, been avoided. It appears to us that the evidence establishes with tolerable certainty that the fog-horn which was used was one capable of being heard for a con siderable distance. We think that tho steamer did hear it at such a distance as would have enabled her easily to have brought herself to a standstill before the vessel came to the point at which the col lision occurred. . . . We think that the sailing ship could not have altered above a point or two of her position at the time the blow was delivered. If it was a right-angle blow, the t-taamer must have altered considerably under a starboard helm. If she had re duced her speed by stopping earlier and reversing, Jail the way would have been off her. I think, therefore, she has not suc ceeded in freeing herself from blame, and we find her to blame on this point. Now, we consider that blame attaches to the sail ing vessel, and she must be held also to blame for not complying with the statutory rule which provides that "a steamßhip shall be provided with a steam whistle or other efficient steam sound signal, so placed that tho sound may not be inter cepted by any obstructions, and with an efficient fog-horn to be sounded by a bellows or other mechanical means, and also with an efficient bell. A sailing shipshall be provided with a. similar fog-horn and bell . , , ." The instrument that in thiscase was used by the sailing vessel was not such as could be heard at the distance required. But, be that as it may, it is clear that an other object may be gained by insisting on the use of a mechanical fog-horn, and that is, you can gjet a uniform force' from it, not like that ot the human lungs, which are weaker in one man than in another. It is probably to prevent any falling-off or any material alteration in the sound that this rule has been formed. It is a breach for which I must hold those on board the St. Leonards were to blame, and I pronounce both vessels to blaino.

The Board of Trade inquiry as to the loss of the St. Leonards has not yet taken place, but it is expected to come before the Wrecl? Commissioners at an early date in December.

New Zealand Meat Preserving Company. On November 22nd the Scottish Court of Session, consisting of the Lord President, Lords Boas, Mure, and Shand, had before them a 1 eport by Charles B. Logan, W.S., in the petition of the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company for confirmation order. In his report Mr Logan states that the capital of the Company was £200,000, divided into 20,000 shares of £10 each, but there have been issued only 13,643 shares ox which the full amount has been called up and paid, representing a paid-up capital of £13G.430. Since the first year of the Com- - pany's operations there has never been any sensible profit for the shareholders, and the accounts have shown a considerable debit ' '.' on the profit and loss account, the lands, works, and other property of the Company being stated at their original cost. The Company last year had a re-valuation made of the whole of the assets, giving effect to depreciation, and from a statement of the property and assets of the Company as so valued at Nov. 30, 18S2, the net value wa3 £75,773 Gs 7d. It thus appears that a considerable portion of the capital has 1 been lost, or is unrepresented by avail able assets, and it lias been proposed that the capital of the Company should l.c reduced to such an amount as is ' represented by the assets actually existing. The prospects of the Company are now more favourable than they have been for some time, and it is expected that on a re duced capital the Company may coon bo in a position to declare a dividend out of the profits. The reduction proposed is that the nominal capital be reduced from £200,000 to £10,000 (£100,000?), each £10 share being reduced to £5. The paid-up - capital will in that view be reduced to £C 5,215, divided into 33,643 shares of £5 each, and there will remain 6,357 unclaimed shares of £5. The reasons for this reduo- - | tion, Mr Logan says, appear to him to be j satisfactory, and the object in view proper and legitimate, and as they will not in any way atl'ect the rights of creditors or other parties, he has reported that the application should be granted. The Court, on that re port, granted the confirmation order. An extraordinary Picture of New Zealand. A Mr W. A. Pascoe, who has been giving > I lectures about New Zealand at St: Albans • and elsewhere, falls very foul of your legis lators, who "can out-Parnell theFarnellitea In stonewalling tactics," who " are often | nosdy adventurers attracted by the payment of members," who "toleratefreefightson the n floor of the House," and " are addicted to the coarsest and most virulent attacks on political opponents." Mr l'ueeoo is also 1 responsible for ah extraordinary statement i to the effect that "New Zealand mutton can be sold in London at 4d a poundj - ' with profit alike to shipper and consignee—' | in fact, to all concerned." . A. Dundee paper laments dolorously the I falling-off of business in the ship-building ■ '.}, yards on the Clyde, and prophesies that so : I soon as the competing lines to New Zealand ■ are supplied with vessels, times will be -■ even worse. The Auckland and Hawke's Bay Land jjj Company are advertising an elaborate pros-j pectus all over England, and will, there seems no doubt whatever, induce a largo number of peasant proprietors and small i;, farmers to emigrate. It is a pity, though, a few more really good names should not be .;"';|i associated with the venture. Dramatic and Other Gossip: .Your old iriend Emily Soldeno (who wna. no chicken when she made her debut on the:'"-y boards nigh 20 years ago) is at last about to ' bid farewell to tho stage, and will (exhibit. >; her mature charms for tho last time as I Drogan, in the familiar " Genevieve de §|j Brabant," at a matinee on December 3rd. Emily will bo supported, amongst others, by her daughter and a couple of grand.- ■~* daughters. "They are," as Terry would say, " a merry family." Miss Ada Ward, who is already fairly I well known in your part of the world, has ■-' determined to pay the colonies another professional visit, and leaves for Sydney I direct some time next month. Ada. ta>'.' V?js| getting a new play written for her, which i she says must "fit her like a glove,"and then, on her old battle grounds of Dunedin -H: and Christchurch, she will not fear even her mighty namesake, Genevieve, who should be touring New Zealand about the same.. I time. Be careful, by-the-by, not to con- : :: fuse Ada and Goneyiove. The former is,: comparatively speaking, "nobody," whereas . ; tho latter has long been a " star "of con- 9 siderable magnitudo in specialty rules. The Marquis of Buto intends to spend | the winter travelling in Australia and New Zealand, and sailed by the Orient steamer, ' from Plymouth on the 27th inst. He is ac-. companied by a small Fuite, but will, ac cording to a Catholic journal, go about in- The editor of the " Stage " announced in -..'■ last week's issue that he had received a \ ':\\ .., letter from the "Canterbury Times'*" dramatic critic, promising to supply : him, in the course of a mail or two,' I with all the information obtainable about the forged letter of that mighty: histrion, J. B. Howe. The '< Stage" also -, quoted approvingly an observation of the 1 "Times's" London correspondent to the ."V effect that " the whole discussion seems fearfully childish, and shows to wh^t lengthy theatrical folks will allow theft vanity to carry them,"

The "Entracte," says Alipe Lingard bo: gan her artistic career hi tho ballet at an East End London Theatre called the Grecian.

American and Australasian Sports. The "Daily Telegraph" winds up an interesting article on American racing with the following well-merited eulogy upon the same sport in Australia and New Zealand: -fl —"It is to be hoped," says the writer,, v "that our shrewd Transatlantic kinsmen will profit not. only by European, but ftlso . | by Australasian experience. In no country I is racing carried on under more wisely- >: v| framed laws than in Australia and 9 Now Zealand. Their racecourses, thei -'j

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR. TUESDAY, JANUAKY 15, 1884,



Special Advertisements. j-MPO RTANT. Ar< N E D D E N ,O2*E D p B N (successor to j". lkck) Has much pleasure in announcing that he haa PURCHASED THE WHOLE . " OF MB J. LECK'S STOCK JJk 3. LECK'S STOCK AND, GOODWILL AND GOODWILL AT A GREAT REDUCTION", GREAT REDUCTION, AND WILL CONTINUE CONTINUE THE CLEARING-ODT. SALE THE CLEARING-OUT SALE FOR ONE MONTH LONGER. ONE MONTH LONGER. IN CONSJWJEHOE OF THE OVER-STOCKED BTATK 0? THE DRAPERY MARKET, HE HAS BBES ENABLED TO '.': BUY A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF GOODS, : iWHICH WILL. BE OFFERED AT L •. BALE PRICES.



Special Advertisements. Just Opened, EX S.S. TRIUMPH, ONE CASE OK NEW SUMMER COSTUMES. NEW SUMMER COSTUMES. RBALLY CHOICE GOODS. "W"l LLIAM RaTTRAY, DRAPER CLOT II IKK, AND SILK MKROKB, 178, 180, AKD 182, QUKEN-STUKKT four doors below tho New Savings Bank AUCKLAND. x fi osgii ay E & ri o. Are now holding a CHEAP SALK I CHEAP SALE of I OP DUAPEHY! OLO TII I N G I I) It A PE It y 1 C LO T KING ! And submit tho following Cheap Linhs !-Ciibap Lines 1-Ciikap Links ! 1,0)0 Trousers and Vesta, Colonial-made, at 12s 6d. 300 Doz. llavard Shirts, lined bocks, Is Cd each. 50 Dozon Felt Hats, 2s Gd. 1 0 lioxca White Shirts Ss 6d. 20 Cases Men's Cold Mole Trousors, 5a lid. ifO Sergo Suits, 21s 6d. 20) Dozen Men's and Boys' Leghorn Hate, 3a 9d. 300 Blue Diagonal Sac Coats, new shnpe, 19a Cd. AT THEIR NEW PREMISES. J. COSG RA V E AND C 0., Opposite Wm. McArthur & Co.'a WAHEHOUSR. UCKLAND GAS COMPANY (LIMITED), ESTABLISHKD 1562. PURVEYORS OF LIGHT, HEAT, AND POWER. The Company sell and croct gas-flttlngfl, in cluding gaa apparatus and gas-power engines. Stock includes Otto Gas Knginea.-Offlco and Bhow-rooms; Fort-atioet. .- TTvISEAS E S OF THE EYE. ARTHUR RICHARDSON, M.D., SPECIALIST AND OPERATOR ON DISEASES OP THE EYE. MAY BE COXSULTED AT HIS RESI DENCE, KARANGAHAPE ROAD, From 1 to 3 in tho afternoon ; Or HASLETT'S ENGLISH PHARMACY, 184, Queen-strcot, from 3 to 5. ■fyirERK SHALL. I VUHNISH MY HOUSE FROM? THE CHEAPEST ALL ROUND HOUSE TO FURNISH FROM IS THE CITY HALL ARCADE— GARLJCK & CRANWELL ! ! ntON BEDSTEADS, go to GARLICK & CKANWELL. BEDDING go to GARLICK & CRANWELL. BED-ROOM FURNITURE, go to GARLICK & CRANWKLL. CARPETS, go to GARLICK & CRANWELL. UARLICK & CRANWELL, Houso Furnishers. GARLICK & CRANWELL, Upholsterers. GAHLICK & CRANWKIJL, Manufacturer! or AIX KINDS OP FURNITURE. Cheap Tapestry & Brtjhski. Carpets. Chkap Oilcloths & Linoleum. Cheap & Beautiful Cretonnes, 'heap Blankets & Curtains. GAELICK & CRANWELL, house furnishers City Hall Arcadb, QUKKN-SfREET, AUCKLAND Sale of bankrupt stock. "William li. Bridgman PAS PURCHASED A BANKRUPT STOCK OF DRAPERY, FANCY GOODS, AND TOYS, AT A GREAT REDUCTION OFF COST, AND WILL OFFER THE WHOLE TO THE PUBLIC AT HALF USUAL PRICE. JUNCTION CHEAP DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, 288, UPPER QUEEN STREET. JUST OPENED, A VERY CHOICE ASSORTMENT BROKEN CHECK GINGHAMS, BROKEN CHECK GINGHAMS, Now and Handsome Designs. Also, NEW GOODS, in MILLINERY SUNSHADES LACES MANTLES GLOVES . HOSIERY COSTUMES HANDKERCHIEFS UNDERCLOTHING BABY LINEN &c, #c,, &c. Five Per Cent. Discount for Case. . Milne a Choyce, pjJT SILVER ! CUT SILVER !;! The Effect is Maryelloujj at night, same effort as Diamonds. to this lino I am NOT TO BE EQUALLED. Bracelets, Ncol<;letß, Pl« 3 Brooches, and Earrings. . , F. 11. LEWISSON. 5,1, You all know where I am to bo found.



Special Advertisements. 153 & 11.0 I'LKASE CALL (Jueon-st 151 & ICO PLKASK CALL Quocn-st 158 & lliO t'LKASK CALL Quccn-st ivi */ im Oiioon-at 15S&1B0 AND INSPECT 3ueen-.it 1A8&160 AND INSI'KCT Qunen-st 158 & lC'l AND INSPECT Oueon-st -,8 & iuo Queon-st 138 & 160 GRAND DISPLAY Queen-st 153 & 100 GHAND DISPLAY Qucen-st lftS & lt» GRAND DISPLAY Queen-st 158 & 180 Queen-st 58 & ISO NEW GOODS Queon-st 15S& KM NEW UOODS Qneen-at l-S&ltiO NEWUOODS Qucen-st 15S & 160 Queen-Bt 158 & ICO JUST OPENED. Queen-st 158 & llifl J ÜBT OPENED. Queen-st 153 & KiO JUST OPENED. Queen-st 153 & KiO Quoon-at 158 & KM fit & ltiO Gl CASES Queen-st ISB & KM W ('ASKS Queen-st {5. &ICO Si CASKS Ouocn-at 15H & IfiO Queon-st 1.-8 & 160 NEW CLOTHING Queon-st 158 & KM NEW CLOTIIINU Queon-st 158 & 100 NKW CLOTHING Queon-st T>B t lt!O Queon-st 158 & lG'i HATS & HOSIERY. Queen-st 15S&1G0 UATS&HOaiERY. Queen-st lost & ISO IIATri&HOSIEIIY. Queenat 153 & ISO Qucon-st ,58 & ll!0 Quoenst 158 & 100 Oueon-st 15-1 & IGO Quoon-st 158 & ICO Qucon-st 158 & KiO THK NEW ZEALAND Queon-st 158 & ICO Queen-st 158 & 160 CLOTHING FACTORY, Queen-st 15S & 100 Ouoen-st 158 & KiO Qukkn-stkkkt, Queen-st 158 & 100 Quccn-st 168 & ICO AUCKLAND. Uuccn-st 158 & ICO Queen-st 158 & 160 Quecn-st 158-& 160 J. FITZSOIONS, Oueei.-st 158*& ISO Queen-it 158 & ISC Branch Muuasor. t ueon-at ■m/TONSTER /CLEARING CJALE OF CLOTHING AND DRAPERY! CLOTHING AND DRAPERY ! CLOTHING AND DRAPERY! CLOTHING AND DRAPERY 1 £20,000 worth £20,000 * OP DRAPERY AND CLOTHING TO BE DRAPERY AND CLOTHING TO BE SLAUGHTERED ! !! SLAUGHTERED! ! ! q pooMBEs ft rio., BEING ABOUT TO CLOSE THEIR CLOTHING ESTABLISHMENT NEXT THE AUCKLAND HOTEL, AND IN ORDER TO REDUCE THEIR STOCK AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE PRE VIOUS TO STOCKTAKING, WILL HOLD A MONSTER CLEARING SALE A MONSTER CLEARING SALE OF THE WHOLE OF THEIR LARGE AND WELL-ASSORTED STOCK OF DRAPERY AND CLOTHING DRAPERY AND CLOTHING AT BOTH CHOPS. OTH OiIOPS, COMMKHCIXCI T7IRIDAY, "I I Tit TNSTANT. S. OoOMBES & Go. HAVE PURCHASED TWO WELL-KNOWN STOCKS FOR LESS THAN 10s IN THE £, WHICH WILL BE INCLUDED IS THEIH MONSTER /CLEARING QALE. OSBTER V^iEARING lOALK. REMEMBER 1 THE SALE COMMENCES ON FRIDAY, 11th INSTANT, ON THE PREMISES LATELY OCCUPIED By J. COSGRAVE & CO., AND OUR CLOTHING ESTABLISHMENT, NEXT THE AUCKLAND HOTEL, WHERE EVERYTHING WILL BE SLAUGHTERED. OUR ESTABLISHMENT WILL BE CLOSED On THURSDAY, FOR THE PURPOSE OF MARKING DOWN THE STOCK, S /OOOMBES & CiO., • V^OOMBES & V^O., CANADA BUILDINGS, QUEEN-STREET. pHEAP AND GOOD CUTLERY. THOMAS SAMUEL, liiTGitTjER of Cutlery, Has just received a good Bupply of »U kinds of TABLE AND POCKET CUTLERY, Consisting of Ivory and Bone Table Knives, Pockot Knives, Scissors and Razors, Table Knives and Forks in cases, suitablo for wedding and complimentary presents; also, Electro-plated Waro, Siberian Forks and Spoons, specially cheap value, Sider ophron Forks and Spoons, having the luatro finish and ring of Storting Sliver. All tho above goods selling at very low prices. THOMAS SAMUEL, 108, QUEEN STREET, Next to Mr Westpfaal' Bootmaker.



About nfno hundred persons visited tho Glassworks durioK liw last .three weeks.— [Advt.J A .Christmas tree aijd .ccaxcfii'b v/;ll be given this evening in Uie'schoql-roora adjolnljiif All Saints' Churcfi, Ponsonby, in aid « tUe Bay. field Sunday-school. The New Cbbsbed STB.iWBjiSR.v GtAsa wauk —A large assortment' jiist opened by BoylanandTariflold, 174, Queon-streot,—[Ai>VT,] As a New Year present, nothing is so suitable as-the Domestic Sewing Machine of Sbakespcar & Co., Queen-street, opposite tho Market-lAuvT. "' / •" ' ■ Buy ,<;he New WUson, the Champion Sewing Machine'; all others in stock', — I). 'Sl. Chambers, 70, Queen-street,—[Advt.]