SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Ttrnn watfh J™' Kvenlna, JO -JS HIGH WATEIt {~.„ morrow i vlornin(?| IU 3 B»NBET.-TMj Evening. 5.7 rtUKRTSK.—To itinrrow Morning, 7.2 MOON'S AGE.-Kirst Quarter, 30th, 9.4" O.m.

ARRIVALS. LAST EVENING.

Rntomuliana, a.s., Carer, from Oie South Wffttaki, s.s.. Crawford, from VVlhangarW Macgregor, s s , Johnson, from Whangarei

Arawatu, s.s., Pojihain, from Sydney

DEPARTURES.

I.ASTKVENINO. Penguin, s 9., Cromarty, for J'Tji

IMPORTS.

Ex p. 5. ArnwntA—loo enses oranßcs.—G. W Binncy.

, Per Defiance-fIS6 sacks oala. Per Claraboll— I 4SO sacks Oamaru potatoes. Per Rotomahana— 3i sacks onions.—G. S. Jakins. Per Rotomahana from Molbourno—6o half chesta tea, 21 cases wine. 10 hhrts rum, 360 mats and 100 gunnies sugar, 5U bags potatoes, 1,881 Sicks bark. From Dunedin-112 pkga agri cultural implements, 180 boxes candles. From Lyttelton—sß bundles ranges. 75 sacks onions, 657 sacks pntatois, 2SO sasks wheat, 16 cases tea, 7 cases colfee. From Wellington—2fll6 pkgs tea, 50 rails, 22G,snek3 barler, From Napier—lo e/isns meats, 1 horso. From Gisborne — 275 Bheop, 12 bullocks, and sundries.

EXPORTS.

Per Penguin, for Fiji—GOO cases kerosene, IC9 sheep, 16 horses, 125 tins biscuits, 80 boxes 3oap, 31 ke'gß butter, SO bags potatoes, and sundries.

Inwards Coastwise.—Pukapuka. from Port Fitzroy, with «tons firewood, Outwards Coastwise.—Columbia, for Rus sell j Fanny Kelly, for Mongonul j Waipu, for Coromandel; Pukapuka, for Mungatoe. The schooner Doronport is on the berth at Lyttelton for this port. The -Drluantlno Nightingale loft Whangarei lor Kaiparo yesterday with a cargo of coal. The s.s. Penguin left for Fyi iaßtevening with the following passengers :-Mrs Hill, Messrs Gregg, Mllor, and Anderson, Miss Moore. The schooner Endeavour, which left Lyttelton for Auckland on July 21, brines 306 sacks wheat. 817 sacks potatoes, 3<B cheese. Tho schooner Senator has been taken over by fto Kamo Coal Co., and after having boen aockod slio will enter upon her duty as a ooal hulk. "Ehe throo-masted schoonor Coquette cleared at the Customs to-day for Newcastle via Mer cury Bay, in ballast. . Tho barque LaJra procoeds from here to Hoklonga, whoro she will load timber for on Australian port. She entered outwards at tho Customs to-day. Tho schooner Three Cheore has discharged her guano at Tauranga, and procoods from thence to Hoklanga for tho purpose of loading timber for Sydnoy. , The following passengers arrived from Whan garoi by the s.s. Macgregor last evening:—Mos aames McLean and Bishop. Messrs McLoan, ■ Downing, Keown, Jagsrer, K. I<c, W. Ward, E. Richard, and Dr. Edgnlo w.

The s.s. Waitaki arrived from Wkansarcl last evening; with the following passengers:— Mossrs Patrick, Evans, Davidson, Montgomery and son, Montague. Mesdames Day and son, Stewart, Bisselt, Misses Allender, Whitehouse, nnd 6 in the steerage.

ARRIVAL OF THE ARAWATA.

The s.s. Arawata arrived to-day at 2 p.m. She cleared Sydney Heads at's.2o p.m. on the 24th, passed Three Kings at 5 p.m. on the 28th, North Oapo at 9.30 p.m., arriving at wharf as above Experienced strong southerly winds with very heavy seas until making North Cape, and from thenco till arrival had light S.W. winds and fine weather. Passed P.M.s.s. Zealandia, from Auckland for Sydney, at 4 p.m. on the SBth inst. Passengers for Auckland :-Saloon: Mr and Mrs Kinnaird, Mrs and Mi9s Gay, Messrs Stuckoy and'son, J. L. Gillies, R. V. Kobcrts. For Wellington: Messrs It. J. Scott and Spencer Shore, and 35 steera go W« are indebted to Mr Robert Gui, purser, for press parcels; roports, etc.

ARRIVAL OF THE ROTOMAHANA.

The s.s Rotomahana arrived from Melbourne via the South at 8 p.m. yesterday. She loft the Bluff at G p.m. on 21st, i.ml arrived in Port Chalmers at 7 a.m. next morning; started again :it 4 p.m. on 23rd; called at Lyttelton on 24th, Welli».{ton 25th, Napier 26Ui. and Gisborno 27th, leaving the lntter port at 4 p.m.; pasned tho East. Cape at 10 p.m.; met with a strong westerly gale, with heavy head sea, while crossing the Bay of Plenty; rounded Cape Colv.ille at 4.30 p.m. on 2Stb, and arrived in Auckland at 8 p.m. Passengers for Auckland:—From Melbourne—Mr B. Lewis. From coast-Mr and lira Godloy, Mr and Mrs Day, Mrs Mackio, Mrs Ghezzani, Mrs Bailey, Mrs Major,' Miss Mcnxies, Mlbs Harding 2 Sisters ot Mcroy, Messrs J. A. Me .Arthur, Kcrr, W. Crossman. G. Johnston, J. Henderson. l):ily. Mncfcie, F. S. Joseph. Chow ings. Slade, E. llnllot. Mitchell, Wood, Naugh ton, Thomas, Allen, Key. Dv Rein.

KAIPARA SHIPPING.

Hblensvillb, this day. — Arrived at the Heads, on Sunday: Sarah Pile, brigautine. Loaded: Killarney.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Tauranga, this day.—Arrived: Qlenelg, from Ascklaml, 7 a.m.

Nsw Plymodth. this day.—Arrived: S.s. Wanaka. from Manukan, G ri.m. Sailed: Wanaka, for Wellington. 8.45 a.m.

Rubsei.l, this day. —Arrived: Wellington, from An.'ylani, 7.30 am.; Penguin, from Auckland, 8.20 a.m.

COMMERCIAL.

Evtwino Star Office, this day. Mkssrb IS. & A. Isaacs held the largest sale of glass, china, and earthenware that we think has been held In Auckland for many years past_ One hsndred and four packages were sub, ralttei, and wore all disposed of. Not a single crate or hhd. was reserved. Tho attendance of the trade wns good, but the prices obtaited were not quite up to the expectation of tho auctioneers.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

JurA 29, 188J,

Abbott's Opera Houßo-"Tha Kings Dragoons," 7.43 p.m.

homo-street ]T.ill-Addroßa by Mr Samuol Vuilcon "Railway Management and Reform, S p.m.

Y.M.O.A.—Quiiuterly Meeting of Members, 7.30 p.m.

Upper Pilt-street Primitive Motjiodist School room—Anniversary Soiree, U. 30 p.m.

Devonport Hall—Conversazione and Concorl in connection with Prosbylurlnn Church, 7.30 p.m.

Births.

BARNARD.—On July 27, at her mother's resi lience. Wood-street, the wife of F. It. Barnard of a son. .

Marriage.

TURNKIt-WALLIS.-On the 2ist July, at St, David's Church, Auckland, by the HoV. Me- Kenziu Fraser, Donald Langly Tumor to CJltti-a Louise, third daughter of William AVallis, builder, Wellington.

Deaths.

DYE.—Oh July 27. at lvaukapaktipa, Annie, beloved daughter of Frank Dye; aged 11 years.

NORMAN.—On July 27, at hor residence, Waterloo Quadrant, Mrs Jane Marthu Nor man, relict of Iho late Edward Norman; ag«d SO years. The funaval will leave hor late residence on Wednesday, at S p.m. Friends arc reapeut f nily invited to attend.

Notices to Correspondents.

STONa-iiKBAKKH.-If you can prove that you were engaged, as statod, you can undoubtedly recover your wages. Better uhito in taking action if you fcol assured that your cnae is good. CHRISTIAN.—Thoro is no law to prevent it.

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

TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1884.

The only new light thrown upon t!

For the c*ub6 that lacks asststanoe, For the wrong that needs reeiataiiM, For the future in the distance. And the Raod that we can do.

political situation is contained in a telegram from our Dunedin corres pondent announcing that a movement is on foot for bringing about an Ormond-Atkinson combination. There is an air of probability about this statement which, apart from, the well informed source from whence it is derived, inclines us to accept its general accuracy. The Cabinet, however, would have to further strengthen itself by some accessions from among the leaders of the South, and most probably'overtures would be made to Mr Macandrew, Mr Montgomery, or Mr Richardson. The coalition would be on anti-Vogel lines, and it is not impossible that the Government may be able to re form their party on that basis. Mr Mac andrew and a majority of the Otago members of the Opposition have re frained from pledging themselves to countenance the new aspirant to the leadership, and if the concessions they demand were made, a basis of union might be arrived at. We say this is possible—it is scarcely probable—the chances at present lie in the direction of temporary fusion of the Opposition, although the hetero geneous elements composing it afford no suggestion of permanent concord.

Punama Canal.

The reports received by the San Fran cisco mail yesterday relative to the progress of the Panama Canal work are conflicting, bvit they all agree in two things—first, that the undertaking is one of vast difficulty; and second, that it will require a much larger capital than was originally contemplated. The official reports of United States officers on the subject have been laid before Congress, and contain a large amount of reliable information. From these papers we gather that the original esti mate will be exceeded by -£168,000,000. Of the 150,000,000 cubic metres to be cut, not 5,000,000 have been taken out, and ?0,000,000 more are under con tract. The Panama "Star" salys that 59,000,000d015. in gold have been spent in tickling the surface. Notwithstanding these rather stagger ing disclosures, even American officers believe that the indomitable energy and influence of M. De Lcsseps will carry the work to a successful issue. Admiral Cooper's report re-affirms his previous judgment that the canal will be finished, and bases his opinion on the fact that the work has been fairly begun, that an immense quantity, of machinery and material is on hand or has been contracted for, the number of labourers has increased to 15,000, and the amount of excavations to 700,000 cubic metres, or nearly 1,000,000 cubic yards per month. The general health of the Jamaica and Cartha gena. men is good. The. funds remaining from the original sub scription are still sufficient to carry trie work forward one or two years, and,the prestige of De Lesseps is suffi cient to secure all the rest which may be needed. Lieutenant Rogers re ports that the general line of the canal is that of the Panama Railway, which it crosses thirteen times. The length from Aspinvrall to the end of the tidal lock at Panama is a little over fifty miles. The breadth of water-way will be from twenty to fifty metres. The axis of the canal at its greatest height above the sea is 33 1 feet, and fora few hundred teat, on account of the cut, the slopes of its sides, and the nature of the soil on the east side of Culibera, where the earth is to be re moved, will be of the depth of 160 metres. The amount of excavating done has increased monthly, reaching in April last 650,000 metres. The adverse reports from Panama have been so serious and definite that M. De Lesseps has deemed it advis able to reassure shareholders by the issue of an authoritative statement. In this he declares that the rumours ofjfhe failure of the Panama excavation works are false. Latest advices he has fiom the works are to the effect that there were less obstacles to overcome than were expected. Theenterpiiseis making rapid progress, and the canal will be finished at the latest in 1888, when lie. hopes he and his children will be present. We think, on the whole, tha^ the prospects of completing, the Canal within four or five years are ye£ v h.oper ful. The dismal predictions of injure merely reproduce stories of the sai^e sort that were freely circulated, on verv high engineering authority, during the construction of the Suez" Canal. The under-estimate of costj is also no new feature in works of this gigantic kind. Too muchcapital has already been sunk in the scheme, and the work has been entered upon with too much vigour for'us to doubt that the designer will, if his life should be spared, bring it to a successful issue. Enormous quantities of excavating machinery, rock-drills, and other appliances are on the ground ; villages, built of American lumber, have arisen at various points along the line for the accommodation of ;the thousands of workmen, who are all well-housed, and>other preliminary expenses of a.per,inan.ent character have

been met out of thccapital already expen ck'd,andthe work being now m full swing and proceeding on a well-defined plan, nothing substantial has been advanced to produce any serious apprehension for the ultimate success of the project.

The Colonial Secretaryship.

Has the Hon. Thomas Dick been called to tho Uppor llouso? Has he not been ousted from his seat in the House of Iteprcscnta tives? Or has tho constitution of New Zealand been suddenly and secretly altered Wo ask theso questions because wo obsorvo hat Mr Dick is still acting as a member of tho Cabinet, and because wo havo scon a recant telegram signed "Thos. Dick, Colonial Secretary." Now, it is woll-known that no man can be Colonial Socrotary who is not a member of ono or other of tho Houses of Assembly; if it were otherwise,wo would very soon have Irresponsible Govern ment set up in our midst; and no one wishes toseeeventhesmallestent rai:cci;iven to .such a monstrous ordor of things. But it is a notorious fact that Mr Dick is no longer a member of tho Houso of Representatives, and therefore, unless ho has been called to tho Legislative Council, ho has nn right to sit in tho Cabinet and assume tho functions of Colonial Secretary. This is so palpablo that wo are surprised to find Major Atkinson and his colleaguos invali dating thoir administrative acts during the parliamentary interregnum by allowing tho lion, gentleman to participate in their doliboiations. Thoro is a bar« possibility that Mr Dick has been called to tho Logis lativo Council; but as such presupposes that the Acting Governor had power to make tho appointmont, it may be dismissed at onco. It is very unlikely even that Ministers are prepared to rocommend His Excelleuey to call Mr Dick to tho Upper House, after tho latter's cowardly denunciation of his colleagues as a des perate but unsuccessful trick to secure his olection. Thon, Mr Dick could scarcely in honour accept a seat in the Upper House, supposing it we're ollbred him. In the fer vour of his right for ro-olection, Mr Dick pledged himself that ho would not acoept nomination to the Legislative Council in the ovent of his defeat at the poll. Tho conclusion from all this is that Mr Dick Is not Colonial Socro tary, and is not entitled to sit as a Cabinet Minister. By his dofeat at tho general oloction, ho is placed in the samo position as any private citizen, and Tom and Harry aro as much cntitlod as Dick to add " Colonial Secretary "to their names. Tho legality of ■ thoactsof thoGovorninontnvhilo they proceed unconstitutionally to work is a question of grave concern, which wo will not attempt to discuss horo, but which ought to receive prompt attention in the proper quarter.

Who says people do not road tho adver tisement columns'/ On Saturday lust a person inserted ono short advertisement ox pressing his dosiio to purchase a house, and by two o'clock yesterday afternoon ho had ovor HO replies. A man named E. Harris, who had only boon released from Mount Eden after serving a torm of tlneo months' imprison ment, was arrested thin morning on warrant for deserting his wife at Kihikilii three years ago. Hirst, tho nswlyolectod member for Wallace, formerly hold a seat in tho 1 louso. Ho was christened " Irst with a Hi " by tho genial but illiterate Soddon, to distinguish him from tho momborfor Waitomata. The doctors say that owin£ to tho sorority of tho woathor, diseases of tho client and throat havo been inoro prevalent this winter than .my other in their oolonial es porienco. To-ilay Servant MeMahon anil Constablo Rowles arrested a man named TIIO3, Wilson on suspicion of being of unsound mind, 110 is a poworful man, mid is at times very violent. Tho police suoecedod in gutting him quiotly to tho station, whero ho was oxamined by two medical mon and pro nounced insane, and wns committed to the Lunatic Asylum. Wilson was onco an 111 ---matoof tho Christchurch Lunatic Asylum. Wo understand that Mr W. T. Speight, tho defeated candidate for Thames, in tends taking procee<lings against Mr F. C. Dean, Town Clerk of Thames, for slander, alleged to havo boon porpotratod on tho day of election. Mr Dean, it is alleged, circulated a report that on ona occasion Mr Speight borrowed £150 from him, on tho understanding that ho(Spoight) \ra< to endeavour to securo tho purchase by a public body of which ho was a member of a pieco of property belonging to Dean. Tho Otago "Daily Times" nicknames Sir George Groy "Tho Wizard ot tho North." Ono of Mr Bray's horses, employed carl ing scoria from Mr. Eden to Symonds street, fell yesterday morning, and broke both shafts of tho dray to which it was harnessed. Tho horso was only slightly injured. Tho Inspector for tho .Society for tho Provontion of Cruelty to Animals has called at our office with reforuu:o to tho lettor published last night about alleged oruolty to a horso in jroen-strcot. From the Inspector's diary wo find that ho had oxamined tho animal .tin Saturday, tho 19th inst., and found that although in wretchedly poor condition, it was furnished with plenty of food and water. Tho animal had boon rafllod for by somo boys, and was to bo rallied for again on tho following Saturday. It would appear from tho Inspector's inquiries that our correspondent is in error in supposing that the horso is starved, It is a poor animal, but does not seem to have been unkindly treated by its present owner. Yesterday, as Mr Hallifax, tho business manager of- tho Dunning Opera Co., was walking along Queon-street with a bundle of papers in his hand, ho was accosted by a rough-looking jndividual who produced a pit ticket for tho now historical sacred con cert, and, saying that ho had been unablo to obtain admission thoreto, domandod a refund of the consideration—tho com mon-place but necessary "bob." Mr Haliifax replied that thoro would be a repetition of the concert, when his rough looking friend might uso the ticket. Tho man,.however, expressing his intention of " taking it out now," struck Mr Hallifax on the jaw, which that gentloman returned without any ado. A crowd speedily col lected, and the two belligerents being hauled apart, the bellicose ruffian took to his heels, and, as the villagers say of tho Marquis in " Les Cloches de Corneville," "ho has never been heard of since." The businees at the Police Court this morning before His Worship the Mayor and Mr I". G. Clayton, J.P., consisted of two cases—viz , BertrandTrennis, charged with a breach of the Vagrant Act, with having no visible means.—Sergeant White s.tid that prisonor called at tho station last night, and gave himself up, stating that he was homeless and utterly destitute. Ho (tho sergeant) thought tho colonies must bo in a fearful state if strong, hearty men like tho prisoner wore unable to tind employment. His Worship remarked upon his state of things. Men who could not find worjf in the country flocked into thft town, and it was almost impossible to supply them all. Prisonor did. vrbt appear like a loaf«r. Had come do^n from the Waikato. Tho Bench ordered tho man to be sent to prison for,-' two mont h 9) which would help him ovoj* tho winter. Nazamara Zonkiolu, a Japaj,>, ose sa ji ori w |, o ] la( ] ro f Uße( j to work on bs an \ tho British ship Guam, was willing to go back with the consent of Captain jienny. Order accordingly, and to pay costs. v .Tho political prospect, as viowod by tho Dunedin "Star," is by no means a bright ono. All the probabilities point to a poiiod of conflict and troublo immediately follow ing tho meeting of tho now Parliament, Our contemporary says :—" If we aro corr rect in oui'anticipationa, thero will probably bo a series of Ministerial crisos beforo a stable Government is in office who may be able to command tho full support of Parlia ment, and to administer with a strong and firm hand. Tho retirement from ofKco of the present Ministry will by no means settle the question,' unless £he various loading Members of tho Houso who have declared themselves opposed to them can agree on a aeH^ite course and policy, which at present does no t seem very p ro bablo. It is cer tainly d'.-ffi ou it. to conceive Sir G. Grey, Mr Montgomery, gir Julius Vogel, Mr Mac andrew, M; r Edward Wakofiold, and Mr Ormond ag.. oeinK for ]ong together upon any question, muc h.less upon tho many questions whit, h necessarily make up the policy of a part), in po , ver _>. With reference to a paragra p h eoncornr ™S a«w «•« Lion Hotel, wo find that Bedford has su^,.^ an injust j ce , Hq has been engaged as., su b-contractor, with several-men in us Smploy, at Makarau Bush, for several mo.X t and Jiad only come into town last Frid week _ >He bad followed the girl, Horu c in consequence of her -snatching his hat # ltf hig j^ ad in Queen-street, and it was in endeavouv ta recover it that the distarbam,,, arofl £ . ,

We learn that Dr. C. New berry Cobbett, who was v through passenger por s.s. Duric to Wellington, has, in view of the superior prospective advantages of Auck land, determined to make his future homo and practice horo. Dr. Cobbett passed a successful career at Edinburgh and London Universities, taking honours in medicine, surgery, midwifery, and diseases of women and children. He was after wurds for some timo resident accoucher at tho Rotundo Lying-in Hospital, Dublin. Subsequently, J)r. Cobbott relinquished practice in an English provincial city for tho piwposo of settling in this colony. Dr, Cobbett has secured a residonco in Alfred street, Albert Park, into which he will move next month, and lias also arranged for hours of consultation at Mr Aickin's Phar macy, in Queon-street. The polico to-day arrested a man named John Newell, who was ovidently suilering from delirium leemens. Wo continue to got news by going from homo. Tho doctors of City Wost will ap preciate tho freshness of this item from the " 'i'aranaki Herald " : —" It appears that Mr Swanson was defeated in Auckland on the education question ; he advocated that the prosont system should bo retained, and Mr Dargavillo favouring the adoption of a modified form of instruction for children." Tlm Presbyterians of Dovonpout hold a social re-union and concert in tho Public Hall this ovoniug. A varied and attractive programme lias been provided, including instrumental and vocal selections by tho Messrs Culpan and Hartley, Miss H. Bur ;oss, and other leading amateurs. A very enjoyable evening may bo anticipated. Tho demand for houses at Devonport- is evidoncod by tho fact that at present there is not nn unoccupied housd in tho district. Tenders woro opened yesterday at Mr B. Bartloy's oiliee for ten cottages to the order of Musshs Alison Bros, and Stark, a list of which we publish elsewhere Tho Patorangi Cheoso Factory has boon most .successful in its operations during iho last season, about 20 tons having been made. It was in operation only about five months, but imfortunatoly the sumo prac tice obtained as in other plnees, viz., as soon as butter wont up in prico tho supply cif milk fell oil". Two tons of tlio Cheddar cheoso woro sold at Cd por lb., delivorod at tho railway station for cash, Tho directors have appointed agonts in Auckland for the wile of their cheeso,. which thoy consider bottcr than sending it to the auction marts. ulr S. Yailo doltvorfl an address to-night in tho Lorno-streot Hall on tho pregnant subject of Railway Roform, under tho auspices of tho Trado and Labour Counoil and Farmers' Cooporatlvo Sooioty. Tho speaker hns dovotcd much timo to tho investigation of railway systoms and charges, and will no doubt be able to make his subject interesting and instruc tive. Despite tho inclomont weather, tho fort nightly ontertaimnont of tho Havolock Baud of Hope was well attended last night in tho Aloxandra-streot School-room. Mr Thomp son presided, and s.wko encouragingly on tho alvaiioemont of tho cause of tompor anco. Tho programmo wsb faithfully tarried put, comprising songs by Messrs Pierce and Jenkins and Miss Grovy; recitations by Misses M. James and Wright ; roadings woro givon by Mr A. Weir (Secretary) and Miss Annio Carluw ; a dialogue, "Our Order," was well repre sented by throo young ladies in tho char actors of "Lovo," "Purity," and "Fidelity." Miss Battonnby was tho instrumentalist of Iho ovening. A meeting of tho Committee of tho Auck land (iardonora' Horticultural Socioty was held at Parnoll last ovoning, and notwith standing tho inclomont state of tho weather, there was a full attendance. Dr. Sanders occupied tho chnir. Tho prize list for the cominK spring nhow, as drawn up by tho subcommittee, was brought forward for approval, and after Homo discussion was [>n jsod, and will bo put into tho printor's bunds at otieo. Tho schedule id moro liberal than heretoforo, as in almost ovory infltanco the prizes have boon raised, and in many cii.-os Hocond prizes liavo been added, most particularly cottager*, a.s it in tho wish of the Society to encourage this class. A sporting row is oxciting a gooitdoiil of interest in Kngland and America. Tho San Francisco "Chroniclo" gives tho following account of it:—"The poril of attacking a man of tho vMidictivenosH of 'Plunger' Walton is shown in tho fact of tho veterin ary surgeon who vowed to break up tho American turfman by stationing a pony, to which Girollo had becomo attached, near tho track whenever Walton's favourite ran. It sooms that tho unfortunate surgeon had troublo at homo, and this, joined with his turf quarrel, completely turned his head. Ho threatened to cut tho throats of his family, and tho rosult was ho was pro nOunced insane imd sent so an asylum. Back of thin action ifl said to bo tho ' Plunger,' while on tho other sido is Sir ■lohn Astley, who took up tho cudgels for the victim and has raised a fund for his family. Tho quarrel reflects no credit upon any of those concerned in it." Tho usual fortnightly mooting of tho French Literary Socioty was hold on Satur day, M. C. de L'Eau in tho chair. M, D. N. Garnior delivered his promised lecture on " Cholera, its causes and effect*, and tho means of preventing and curing it." In tho course of his lecture, M. Gamier, after having explained tho diirorent forms of tho disease, said that cholora iB always gonor atod either on tho banks of rivers or on tho sea shore. When it appears at one plaeo, it is vory easy to draw its itinerary in fol lowing on tho map tho river which passes along this placo. Tho cholara j^oes from tho mouth of the rivors up tc their source The remedy recommended by M. Gamier is vory simplo, and was discovered by llosnail, the celobrated French chomist. Itis an elixir made of spirits of camphor, calamus, aroma ticiiH, aloes, vanilla, root of angolica, otc. Tho locturo as a whole was an excellent ono, and proved that tho locturer wng thoroughly versed in his subjoct. Mr E. It. Watkins followed with a reading from Ttipller's " Nouvellee Gonevoisos," which ho rondered in capital style. A writer in tho "Australasian" thus points to an oxamplo of ono result of "statutablo education." In tho Rosedalo Police Court, ono Goorgo White waft called as a witness, and, says a Gipps Laud journal, "upon tho clerk proceeding to administer tho oath, the witness stared vacantly around, and it was apparent the proceeding was a myth to him. At tho suggestion of the Bench, Mr Bencraft ex amined the witness as to his knowledgo'of religion, and the offects of taking a falso oath. Tho witness, in reply, said ho was seventeen years old, he had no idea what would happen if ho told tho truth or told a lie ; he had boon at school, but did not know what tho Lord's Prayer meant, and exhibited such a state of ignorance of any moral or religious percep tions that it evoked a murmur of surprise in tho Court." It is somo years since it was pointed out how paradoxical and incon gruous ii, was to require any form of re ligious knowledgo in ono StatOinstitution (the Polico Court), when its being .tija^riit was not provided for in that otb.er State in stitution, tho GoTernmanfi school. To the Editor: 'Sir,—A lottor appeared in last nif|'.-iij s Star purporting to bo written by " A 'Jhristian," and complaining of the sljfli'iit applause which was occasionally manifested on Sunday night. Personally, tho charge " A Christian makes does not affect me, becauso I did not m.ysolf join in tho demonstrations of approval roferrod to, but 1 sco nothing opposed to decency and ordor in applauding as vigorously on Sun day night as on Saturday. It seems to mo that our only consideration should bo the rights and foelings of others. But horo a dilllculty occurs. My nature is such that I can onjoy a performance, without giving audiblo expression to my fooling*. It is thcreforo no sacrifico on my part to refrain from applauding. But thoro aro othors whose pleasure would bo marred if thoy were prohibited from giving expression to their satisfaction^ Which party is to mako the sacrifico ? Aro those • who consider that certain music is sacred to submit to what thoy deem an indecont exhibition, or are tho othors to loso half their enjoyment by smothering their feelings beneath a cold and apathetic oxterior ? 1 lcavo "A Chris tian "■ to givo a solution of the problem. I refrain from dealing with his silly insinuation of an organised Rationalistic plot. It is sufficient for me to know, and to assure your rcadors, that it is absolutely falso. To my mind, tho Christians have themselves to blame for tho tumult and dis order in Wellesley-streot on Sunday night. It was entirely caused by admission being free ; and it was owing to' Christian agitation that the concert was thrown open freo of charge The result of tho collection shows that public generosity is not to be relied upon, so " Christian's" suggestion for future concerts is worthless. It is amusing to notice " Christian's" inconsistency. He strongly disapproves of Sunday concerts, yet he does not hositato to attend thorn. I have been wondering whether your cor respondent was the kind a.nd generous sou1, so eager to " Do unto others as ho would that they should do unto him " that he carefully monopolised my reserved seat (cost, 4s), and then departed without even contributing an orthodox threepenny piece, j —I am, &c, VVif. Cooper. '

Tendors for the erection of ten cottages i on tho Culliopo and Melroso Estates, Devon- | port, woro opened yesterday at the office of Mr B. Bartloy, architect:—J. O'Connell, £3,-140 ; G. Woolor, £3,357 10s ; Wrigley and Handcock, £2,970 ; T. Gunson, £2,950; J. Mays, £2,800; T. Lynch, £2,790; W. Frankham, £2,780; J. W. Jones, £2,760 ; W. G. Smith, £2,750 ; E. L. Smith, £2,730 ; W. Speers, £2,600; A. J. Chambers, £2,600; Chittham and Moslem, £2,400; W. Corbett, £2,300; F. Duder, £2,290; Goo. Weeks (accepted), £1,992105. A resident of City West complains that a chango for tiro worse has been mado in the postal delivery for that district. He says that whereas lottors used to bo delivered twice a day, tho postman's visits aro now confined to once daily at 4 p.m., and he says himsolf and many othors aro anxious for a return to tho old system. Tho earning power of the Australian community is greater than thatof any other population in tho world. According to Mr (J. Mulhall, F.S.S., tho annual earnings per head in Australia aro over £43, as against £35 in the United Kingdom, £27 in tho United States, £26 in Canada and Holland, and £25 in Franco. Tho rate of wages is highest in New South Wales, whore it ex ceeds i'OO per head per annum. This causes tho saving power of Australia to largely exceed that of other countries, tho annual savings«pcr head being iv Australia £0 15b, while in tho United Kingdom it is £4 4b, in the United States i' 3 17s, in Franco £3 13s, in Canada £3 3s, and in Holland £2 2s. Tho anniversary of tho New Zoaland Society of Blues (Bluocout School " Old Boys ") was celobrated by a dinner at tho iromises of Mr Donncs, Queen-utreot, last svoning. A most onjoyablo ovoning was spent. The New Zealand Society is affili ated to'cho Socioty of Old Blues iv London. Lord Shaftcsbury advocates the oxporta tion of from two to three thousand of tho . .surplus feminino population of Great Britain. A San Francisco journal says:— " It might bo a good idea to ship thorn to Manitoba. That is a good-sized country for thorn to grow up in, and it might pro sorvo tho settlers from cursing tho land with more of the worthless half-breeds who now form so material a part of tho popula tion of tho Northwest Territory." Mr Watt, architect, has just completed tho iikns for the new ProsbyUrian Church to bo erected at the com»r of Surrey and Murdoch-streets, Surroy Hills. Tho building will bo 30 foot x 40 foot, and will soat 150 persons. It will be so erected that when tho requirements of tho neighbourhood necessitate the erection of a linger odifico, this building can bo used at v school-room. Mr Moncuro Conway, in a letter from London to an American journal, romarks with reference to tho English Franchise Bill : "Mr Uladstono wishes to con nect his namo with a greut mea suro of popular enfranohisoment, and ho is too old to wait until a generation of labourers has como ablo to feign its name Tho advance of the ideas of woman's equality is to bo seen bore in tho universities, which admit thorn to studies, examinations and degrees. If, on tho other hand, you turn to the trades union, you sco woman uniformly But upon. They will not admit tho female labourer to their councils, and often strike if nho is givon equal occu pation and wages. This very week a vast mass meeting was held at Bradford to advo cate tho now Franchise Bill, and a resolu tion favourable to its being shared by women was fairly howled down. It in tolerably certain, therefore, that it is practically now or novor with the v/omen of England—tho spinsters and widows who pay taxes and think they can voto an intolligontly as thoir gardeners. It is only those—somo 700,000—whom Mr Woodall'n amendment proposes to enfran chise. But Glndxtono Is opposed to it, and ho has spikod tho great guns ~[ tho cause — Fawcott, Dilko, and Courtnoy—who, being in his Cabinet, must be Hilcnt and vote us ho orders." Modorute financial success has attended tho operations of tho Waikato Choose and Bacon Factory Company during tho year ending 30th Juno last. This, tho first your of the Company's existence chows a loss of i"B2 Gh sd, but tho Chairman's roport showed that thoro would hare been a considerable protit but for somo mistaken and misfor tunes. A miscalculation of tho yield of chce«o per gallon of milk lost thorn £144, tho want of a tenant for surplus land caused a loss of £50, and tho fact that they paid 4d por gallon for milk while tho ruling price at other factories was .'}Jd mado a dineronco of £235 in thoir receipts. Tho directors, howovcr, think themselves justified in continuing to pay 4d por gallon, as they confidently boo thoir way to show a sufficient protit with out lowering tho prico to tho producers, Tho management of tho factory by Mr Thos. Shiphcrtl Runciman has given every satisfaction, and tho machinery, &c, is in excollcnt order. At tho annual meeting on Thursday ovening last, Mr S. T. Seddon pre siding, Messrs Barugh and Sworbrick were elected directors, and Messrs. George Kdgocumbo and A. Campbell woro ap pointed auditors. A roport by Capt. Kunoi man showed thnttho parties supplyingmilk to the factory had roaiisod from 16s 7J<l to £8 2s 9id per cow. The percentage of oream, from 13 per cent, to 18 por cont., was very large. In America 10 per cent, or l! 2 por cent, was considered a vory high per centage, and tho rosult hero obtained was ovidonco of very good pasture Tho total quantity of cheese mado was 94,21 libs, from 101,131 gallons of milk. It was resolved to communicate with Government on tho sub joct of freight chargos, the railway rate of 45s por ton from Hamilton and 50s por ton from To Awamutu being characterised as ridiculously high.

SUDDEN DEATH.

An elderly man, who had not been identi fied up to a lato hour this afternoon, died suddenly in tho Waitomata Hotel tiiis afternoon. Ho was seized with a iit outside of tho hotel shortly beforo one o'clock, and staggorod into the bujld ing. Ho then fell down, and said he "was dying. Somo spirits and water woro administered and a doctor was sent for, but the man expired within a fow minutes, and whon Dr. Coombo ar rived lie pronounced lifo to be extinct. Sergeant Donnelly and Constable O'Brien, who had also been sent for, had tho body conveyed to the morguo to wait identifica tion. Deceased was apparently a working man, about thirty-fivo years of age, and rather delicate in appearance. In _ ono of hia pockets was a pawn ticket in tho name of " Young," and also a lottor ad dressed to Mr Graham, Rclioving Officer. Tho description of tho deceased answers to that of a man who for some days past has been stopping at Litt'e stables. It is said that this person recontly arrived from Dunedin, and that he is a painter by trade. An inquest will bo hold to-morrow. ,_. r

BILLS OF SALE.-AN IMPOR TANT JUDGMENT.

An important decision under tho Bank ruplfiy Act was givon by His Honor Mr Justice"Gillies in the matter of William Henry Hamilton on Thursday last. The bankrupt carried on business as a grocer at Manukau Road, Parnell, and on the 24th October last oxocutod a bill of sale in favour of Messrs A. H. Nathan and Co., for tho purpose of securing £22i> then due and the prico of any goods winch might thereafter bo supplied by that firm to tho bankrupt. By section 80 of the Bankruptcy Act, it is provided that "Every bill of sale shall be null and voidas against tho assignee of a bankrupt's estate, if it has been executed within six months prior to tho order of adjudication being made, except as to money actually ad vanced or paid, or tho actaal value of goods or chattels sold or supplied by the grantee of the bill of sale to tho grantor contend poraneonsly with tho execution thereof. < On the 11th February, Messrs Nathan and Company took possession under their bill of sale, and on the 13th (two days afterwards), Hamilton, tho grantor, was adjudicated a bankrupt. The Official Assignee claimed the goods seized^'and a spocial case waß stated for the decision of tho Court on the Suestion. Mr Cave, on behalf of the fficial Assignee, argued that the section appliod to evory bill of sale whether executed or not before the coming into operation of the Act (Ist January, 1S84) if adjudication happened within six months after the bill of sale had been given. Mr Hugh Campbell, on be half of Messrs A. H. Nathan and Co., argued that the Act was not intended to be retrospective, and did not therefore apply. His Honor held that every bill of sale, whether executed before or after the Ist January, 1884, if bankruptcy happened within Bix months after its execution, was within tho section, and that no contempo raneous advance having been made, the present bill of sale toss void as against the Official Assignee. Judgment accordingly for the Official Assignee, with £1010s costs,

POLITICAL COUNTER PLOT.

An Atkinaon-Ormond CombiHation,

(l)Y TELEQEAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Dunkpin, this day. The "Otago Daily Times " of this morning has tho following:—"We have the best authority for saying that an intrigue is in progress to ' run ' Mr Ormond for tho Pre miership in opposition to Sir Julius Vogel. The mombor for Napier has been promisod all the influence of the Ministerial party, and a blook vote of Auckland and Napier members is expected. Strenuous efforts are being made to secure the votes of all tho Middle Island members who are un pledged."

THE MEAT FREEZING INDUSTRY.

Two Companies Suspend Operations,

WisiiMNUTON, this day. Owing to various circumstances, ono of tho chief factors in which is the present high price of mutton, tho Gear Meat Company, and also the Wellington Moat Export Company, have determined to discontinue freezing for tho noxt month or two.

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST SMALL-POX.

(IIV TULBdHAPH—I'KKSS ASSOCIATION,)

Wki.i.inuton, this day.

Tue Government are communicating by telegraph with tho authorities in Australia and tho health officers in this colony with rofaronce to the smallpox question. They will await replies boforo taking action, as thoy do not wish to. onforce 'a general quarantine unless absolutely necessary, as it would very seriously disturb the largo trado which this colony has with Australia. Should it b« decided not to enforce a general quarantine, every precaution will bo tukon by the Wealth officers to prevent tho disease boing car ried into tho colony, by their making a minute examination of every vessel for traces ef tho disease, and should any bo found tbo vessel and passengers would bo quarantined for the full period.

SCINTILLATIONS.

A .musical girl—Sarah Nado. Sir George Grey goes South on Thursday. Tho Prineo of Wales is an export bicyclist. Heavy snowfall in Otago; floods are feared. A Huftsian squadron is shortly expected at Sydnoy. Tho Maid has been scratched for tho Mel bourne Cup. Manhood suffrage is proposed to bo intro duced in Tasmania. A good deal of profanity over that " sacred " concert. Fivo millions of cattle and pigs were killed in Chicago last year. Tho wine industry of Franco is boing sedulously fosterod. Whooping cough is provalont near Grey mouth, and two fatal cases of diphtheria have occurred. A parcels post is to bo established botwoon Australia and India. Sunday recroationists aro much fortified by that strong telegram from Stout. Signor Kiccardi, who has been in ill health, realised £250 by a benefit given him lately in the Theatre Royal, Sydney. Those two " gentlemen by Act of Parlia mont," Messrs Tole and O'Neill, havo been exemplifying tho inutility of legislation in that direction. Win Wakolin, painter, Dunedin, being in low spirits, lias drowned himself in tho Silver Stream. The locs by tiro in tho United States and Canada last year umountcd to £21,000,000. The Mayor of HrUbuno is of opinion that barmaids should bo abuliuhed. There aro 149 daily papers in England. Forty years ago thoro wero only a dozen. John McCloary has been committed for trial at Nolson on tho charge of arson. Thoro has of late years been a great fall ing off in the silk yield of China. Dr. Gunst, of Molbourne, who caused tho death of a barmaid by giving an ovordoso of morphia, has been triod for manslaughter and acquitted. Three soamon named Gorhew, Morton, and Broughton woro drowned off Tasmania by tho sinking of tho barque Farningham, bound from Dunedin to Adelaide. Honri Irving, tho actor, estimates that tho total receipts of his Amorican tour will amount^o £80,000. The following is tho song of political novitiates in Now Zealand at tho presont timo:— Land nationalisation's my vexation, Thft land tax twico as bad; Tho income tux will break your bae*; Tho " unearned increment" drlvos mo mail! In Runeia about 200 " little Red Riding Hoods " are annually dovourod by wolres. Canon Stophon, of Redfern, N.8.W., a son of Sir A. Stophon. is doad. Of all tho suicidos in England last year 271 drowned themselves, while 511 used tho ropo. Tho new Houso of Representatives con. tatns six journalists and nino lawyers. Is it likely tho now House of Representa tives will impose a propor land tax f Thero are 27 members \t ho each own an average of ovep 5,000 acres of land. Kino years in prison for blasphemy is tho sentence moted out recently to a poor patient in a Vienna hospital, who trampled on n crucifix and cursed the hospital authori ties. Wild dogs aro becoming a dangorous nuisanco in tho Wairarapa valloy, near Wellington, and stops are boing taken to destroy thorn. Notions differ as to what constitute "loading lights" in politics. A little Taranaki paper says:—" All the leading lights of tho old Parliament—Major Atkin son, Col. Trimble, &c, have been returned." According to the "Taranaki Herald," tho reason tho Hon. Mr Watorhouso was up pointed Acting Governor by Sir W. Jorvois during his visit to Australia, was that that gentleman undertook tho duties without any emolument; whereas had Judge John ston been appointed ho would have drawn tho pay of the Governor during his absence.

TELEGRAMS.

Fall From a Horse,

Cahbkidoe, this day.—Mr Duncan Clerk, whilst riding between Lichfiold and his homeutead at P&tetu'fd yesterday, was ac cidentally thrown from his horse, and had his collar-bone broken. Snow at Patetoro. There were over two inchos of snow on the ground at Patetere yesterday morning.

OPERA HOUSE.-"THE BLACK CLOAKS."

" 1 ks Manteaux Noirs" was ropeatod atthe Opera House fer the last timo yesterday evoning, and was received with undiminished pleasure.

"THE KING'S »BAGOONS."-TO-NIGHT.

The opora of the above name, by John Crook, of Manchester, is to bo produced to night. It has been spoken very highly of, and in the South proved to be a regular trump card. The scene is laid in an English village during the reign of Queen Anne, and, while, tho news of tho Duko of Marlborough's victories is filling tho people with martini ardour. The plot embraces tho military experiences of Robin, a rustic innkeeper (Mr Appleby), who in an unguarded moment accepts the Queen's shilling. In order to save liim from active servico, however, a young villagor, Edgar (Mr Knight Aston), who is beloved' by Robin's sister, Alice, consents to taka his place during Edgar's absence at the war. Alice is importuned by the Mar quis of -Brabazon, an old ro'u'6, who reports Edgar dead. The latter, however, returns with his blushing honours thick upon him, and all ends happily. The sub-plot em braces tho love scenos of Dorothy, a village belle, and Sergeant Crow, tho officer commanding the King's dragoons, Tho resthetic quadrille, which forms the divtr tissement, is a skit on the aesthetic tenden cies of the age, and js said to be one of the mesfc amusing and grotesque performancco that has ever been scon here. The original troupe of dancers who will interpret it per formed for twelve months at tho Alhambra. Critics also assert that the music of the opera is of a superior order of merit.

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

London, July 5.

In London the season has picked up a great deal since the return of the Prince of Wales to humour his mother and respect the more obvious decencies of life. He has up to the present confined himself to a few quiot and private dinners. The week has been torribly gloomy, dospito the ruling gaiety olsewhere, to the young sportsman who plunged on the Ascot races. One gentleman paid over no less than 200,000d015. to settle up his book, and monoy-lcndars were in great request on the Saturday preceding, but in many casos they had to refuse accommodation, having lost thomsclvos. Tho papers are whisper ing that the absence of royalty from Ascot had its compensations in tho freedom from soino annoying restraints. A well-known Earl was ablo to woar a white pot-hat for the first time for many years. Tho sale of tho Fountain!) collection has readied tho dignity of a historic event, and the prices mark the springtido of the craze for curiosities ; £7,300 was given for_ a single dish ; onecandlcstick fetched £3,075 ; £4,452 was paid for an ivory horn without a history, and a ewor was knocked down for £2,415. The "Spectator," which is always in a tearful mood over something, cries aloud that England is a land of Philistines, and protests against tho nation buying any of tho collection. Tho business of most of tho theatres con tinues to be poor, tho fineness of tho weather destroying all desire for indoor amusemont. Tho Health Exhibition is tho chief gainer by this, and if I mention it every week I only imitate the journalism of London, which now makes it tho target of society paragraphs and hints and rencontres. A number of savants anxious at tho same time to figure in tho now largo army of pro fessors of delicate persiflage and science in small doHos add to the attraction by periodic lectures avowedly on health but really on the fashionable foibles of the hour. A bold physician, having attracted a largo and serious gathering by tho announce ment of tt lecture on the othics-of tho skin, burst out into a denunciation of tho lovo for the greenery-yallory style of complexion which iustheticism affects. Mr Burne- Jones, tho groat artist who brought this typo into fashion, was donounced as having produced a bevy of wobegono women, ili limp, and unwholesome, attended by an army of convalescents ; and this wild icono clast ventured 10 forecast the coming of a time when it would be fashionablo to be healthy. Tho proposal to open tho Health Exhibition on Sundays marks another daring advance of tho enemies of Sab batarianism, and it has even ceased to bo vulgar to bo seen on a Sunday, and Rotten Row is now crcwded on the Sabbath.

The despair of the godly is increased by the appearanco at the new club, tho most high-toned club here, of Mme. Judicinrisky French plays, which, as they do not begin till after tho close of tho threatre on Satur day night, necessarily run into tho Sunday morning. Tho Ritualists are also giving greater troublo than ever to the good old school. Mny having been long accepted as tho month sacred to tho evangelical, tho High Churchmen have annexed June, anil one's bruins aro bowildered with the Bplen dour of the vestments, lights, and cere monies as now common in ono chapel where thoro was the hitherto essentially Catholic function of a Corpus Christi procession. The Earl of Seaford, who had been disin herited by his predecessor for becoming a Liberal, has received four thousand a year from the Countess, tho mother of tho late peer who received the cntiro property, and becomes her heir after her death. Mr Pop ham, a Somerset landlord, had to pay t'40,090 succession duty on getting hia estates, aad is felling timber to meet tho amount.

The historic inland of St. Helena in re ported to be in v very bad way, tho aban donment of tho Capo route niiice the spoil ing of tho Sue/. Canal having taken away it« trade in refitting u«d victualling Rhip.s. During the week Mr Gladstone had a liorco poraonnl encounter with Af-hmead Hartlett, who makes it a point to advertiso hinWf by torturing tho Prime Minister with questions mostly silly and impertinent. Mr Gladstone, losing his temper at tho wrong time, made a palpable mistake, and tho giant for onco was overcome by the pigmy. White stockings aro coming onco again into fashion from tho crußado by the doctors against coloured wear as slow poirtoncrs. Tho Princo of Orange's illness waa chiefly induced by tho vitiated atmosphere in .vhich ho lived. Sixty parrots were kept in hia bedroom.

M. Savroaux, the cashier of the Eastern Railway Company of Paris, who absconded last February with 500,000 francs, has just been arrested in Vienna, lie was artfully disguised, and was found living in sump tuous lodgings in company with a beautiful young woman, who had accompanied him in his flight from Paris. Very little money was found in his possession, and he sought to explain this fact by saying that he was recently robbed of 50,000 francs by bur glars. The police believe, however, that tho story of a burglary is a lie, and that Savroaux still has a large portion of his plunder in some hiding placo, which they are trying to discover. The owners of gaming houses in Nice are complaining severely of lack of patronago, owing to the strength of the counter attrac tions at Monaco. They also declare that the Kiviera di Ponento is being ruined by French land speculators. Ihese grievances have tended to strengthen the anti-French feeling which has prevailed to a greater or less degree ever since Nice was ceded to France by Victor Emanuel, and this feeling lias now become so goneral as to cause a Sopular movement for the re-annexation of [ice to Italy. The election to-day in Mid-Surrey to fill a Parliamentary vacancy resulted in the choico of Mr Ellis, a Conservative, who re ceived 7,645 votes. Tho Liberal candidate, Mr Sterne, polled 4,949. Elder Smoat, a Mormon missionary, has boon expelled from Bavaria by order of tho Minister of State. Smoat had succeedo"i in making numerous converts, whom ho was preparing to send to Utah, but this plan has been oroken up for the present.

Tlio contemplated visit of the Emperor amd the Crown Prince of Austria to Pola to see the naval manoeuvres has been aban doned. This step has been decided upon through fear of a dynamite plot. Excessive rains and inundations in fialicia have suspended railway traffic and seriously interfered with all kinds of business. It is rumoured that 250 soldiers were drowned.

A sensational minder is reported at Prague. A civil engineor of that city was tho victim. His head and legs were cut off and carried from his bedroom to the kitchen. It is unknown who perpetrated the crime, and its motivo can only bo guessed. The monev_ and other valuables in the house were not touched.

la.tho petroleum market, wild gossips of tho superiority of Russian wells, and rumours of failures in America, cause a con tinuous decHi.o in prices, which are latterly relatively lower than even American quota tions. Little| business has been done in this market for the past fow days, on ac? count of tho great interest which has been taken by dealers in tho hearing of a technical petroleum case in the law courts, in whiph a noted petroleum dealer is in voh'ed. This case has been tho feature of the week in oil circles, and has caused a naturally woak markot to bo further de pressed.

The sugar market, in contrast to the general depression in other lines, shows in creasing strength, and is growing in favour as a medium of speculation. American re fined grades have shown a decided harden ing in the last day or two, and prices have advanced.

The gap in tho friendly relations botween Michael Davitt and Mr Parnell is rapidly widening into a serious breach. Several angry letters have passed between tho two leaders, thoso of Mr Davitt being bittorly denunciatory of Mr Parnell's methods, while tho replies by the latter have been curt and contemptuous.

Mr William Henry Hurlbort, formerly editor of the New York "World," is to bo married next August to Miss Tracy, of New York. The wedding will tako placo at Mr Beckitt Dennison's mansion in Yorkshire, and thp honeymoon will be spent in Italy. The woather in England is so abnormally chilly and the nights so cold that fears are entertained that tho growth of the crops will bo soriously checked.

AN ACTRESS REJECTS A PEER.

Considerable speculation has lately been indulged jn as to the motives that led Quieen Victoria's cousin, Countess Volckman,' to invite Miss Mjnnie Palmer to spend last week at the Countess's mansion in Essox. It has now transpired that the invitation was really in the furtherance of a match making design, in which species of amiable conspiracy the Countess is said to be almost as much of an adept as her royal cousin. It eeoms that a certain young and Busceptible peer had become smitten with Miss Minnie, and confided the fact to Countess Volckman, who said: "If you want to mako her your wife, I will in vite her to my house, where you can meet her and make lovo to your heart's content."

The meeting was successfully arranged and everything went on velvet until my lord made his declaration, and laid his heart title, broad domains, &c, at the feet of the pretty actress. Greatly to his astonish ment, Mies Palmer rejected his suit, and it ig said that she actually carried her democratic irreverence for British nobility to the length of saying that when she married she believed she would prefer a real man and not a dudelet.

MR CUMBERLAND'S MUSCLE READING.

On Thursday was witnessed the unique and unparalleled sight of an English Prime Minister and half tho House of Commons assisting at a thought-reading exhibition In tho smoke room at Westminster. The kindly feeling which exists toward Mr Gladstone personally was ehown by a tumultuous cheer from all sides when he appeared, and by a race among all the young follows, gained by tho redoubtable Mr Healy, to get the old man a chair. Stuart Cumberland, the operator, did some capital tricks, among others discover ing three numbors which the grand old man had thought of. Some of the papers are howling at the levity of the business and Joseph Biggar is credited with the in! teution of asking a question about it in Parliament, whilo the bilious "St James's Gazette," whose hatred of Mr Gladstone is a monomania, murmurs absut tho advertising dodges of Barmim. The thing was really engineered by Mr Labouehere, who in run ning Cumberland against Irving Bishop, with whom he has a standing quarrel.

JEW-BAITING.

The barbarity of Hungarian Jew-baiting hnH been brought to the attention of Lon doners by the arrival here, in an almost starving condition, of Joseph Scharf, who has been obliged to flee from Hungary. Scharf was tho chief prisoner in the recent trial at Tiza-Ezler of a number of Jews on a charge of having kidnapped and murdered a Christian maiden m order to offer her as a sacrifice in one of their religious rites. The absurd charge was wholly disproved, and all the accused were acquitted, but they have since been subjected to a series of cruel persecutions. Scharf has been the chief sufferor, having had his health shattered, his business ruined, and bis pro perty looted, until he Hod to London. Hig co-religionists in this city are raising a fund to give him another start in life.

THE POPE THREATENED WITH DYNAMITE.

It ia now officially admitted at the Vati can that serious threats against the Pope's life have been received from dynamiters. Recently a letter was received at the Vatican, from a source entitled to credence stating that a well-arranged plan to attack tho Papal residence by dynamite had been matured, and would be carried out ot ; the iirst favorable opportunity, the conspirator* aiming at the life of tho Pope. This start ling intelligence astounded tho Cardinals, who at onco held a conference, and immedi ately took steps to foil the would-be assassins. An extra guard of picked men was posted around the Vatican. The Pope was kept in ignorance of the receipt of the first letter. Tho conspirators evidently were hovering about the place, nnd noticed the precautions taken, for a second letter was received, in which the previous threat was renewed, and a boast made that., the conspiracy would bo carried out in spite of all attempts to prevent i&. This letter was also withhold from Leo, and tho special guard was doubled. The Pope observed the extra double sentry, and insisted upon knowing the reasons for it. When told, he became deoply agitated, Ob serving that his agitation was noticed, he said : " 1 am not alarmed with any personal fear, but at the thought that this dynamite contagion has reached Rome." Tho Roman clergy do not hesitate to say that thoy attribute these dynamite threats against the Pope to tho Freemasons, who, they declare, are at present furious against tho Vatican becauso of its recent warfare upon them.

A close enpionago has been established upon all visitors to tho Vatican Library.

Cardinal Howard and some of hia col leagues in the Sacred College treat the dynamite threats with ridicule.

FRANCE IN THE ORIENT.

An Attack by Chinese Regulars—Cambodia

Conquered.

Paris, Juno 2G.—Hanoi despatches state that Chinese regulars, with artillery, en trenched themselves at Langoon in viola tion of the treaty, and attacked the Freiuh forces on Monday, on the march, k lling and wounding forty-two. General Megreilt immediately Bet out with re-enforcements. General Millot telegraphs that the French numbored 700. He says :" We are on the way to Langoon, and, though greatly out numbered, will rout the Chinese. The French lost two officers."

Advices from Saigon state that the Governor of Cochin-China had given «an audience to tho King of Cambodia, and the latter affixed his seal to the proclamation establishing French authority over his people, in accordance with the treaty con cluded with France a few days ago. Paris, Juno 27.—1t is reported that Admiral Courbet has been instructed to demand a public apology of China, as well as an indemnity, for a violation of the treaty by China at Langson, and in case China refuses, the French fleet will bombard Chinese cities.

Hanoi, Juno 27.—Advices of the 26th inst. state that fighting near Langson be tween the Chinese garrison and the French forces continued two days. Ten French men were killed and thirty-three wounded. Two steamers have gone for_the pick and wounded. General Negrite has joined the French column near Bakle, and is awaiting further orders. The Chinese Generals have 10,000 regulars between Bakle and Lang son,

Berlin, June 28.—A telegram at the Foreign Office from Tientsin states that Li Hung Chang does not consider the collision between the Chinese and French near Langsan as a breach of the recent Fran. Co-Chinese treaty. No blame, he says can attach to China, whose bona fide faith in concluding and carrying out the May treaty is beyond a doubt.

DAVITT SAYS PARNELL IS PUTTING TOO MUCH MONEY IN HIS PURSE.

He Accuses the Irish Leader of Using the League to Push his Real Estate Speculations.

Londqn, June 24.— There-is war tpjtbe knife between Michael Davitt and Mr Par nell.. Mr Dayitt's latest point of attack is tho Irish Migration Company, of which Mr Parnell is Chairman, and which seeks to relievo the congested districts of Ireland by purchasing lands in less crowded parts of the country, and attracting small farmers to them by cheap rents ann easy terms Ipr instalment purchases.

Mr Uavitt says that this ie only one step removed from State-aided emigration, and that in some respects it is quite as ob jectionable. Tho Irish, he saye, are not only patriotic in their love for their country as a whole, but they are also devoted to their native counties, towns, and villagp«, To transplant a Donegal man to Kerry or a- Corkonian to Tyrone, to send Mayo farmers to Meath, and Louth families to Gal way, is only a shade better than shipping tliom off to America or Australia.

Mr Davitt also complains of the pripes which Mr Parnell's company is paying the 1 present landlords for estates which they • could not possibly sell to anyono else at ajjy I figures. He charges that Mr Parnell is us.ing the machinery of the Irish National | League, and playing upon Irish patriotism to push a private real estate speculation,, i and intimates that the exorbitant prices he is paying for land give ground for the sup- ' i position that he is secretly receiving .'■■; bonuses from tho landlords. Mr Davitt has made all these charged ju ■writing to Mr Parnoll, but has been ?net only with curt and tardy replies or con d§j temptuous silence. Now he proposes tfl r publish and circulate as wjdely as poisible | the facts upon which his charges we based) I for he says it is high time uiat Irishmeji ; throughout tho world should know what a self-seeking scjiemer they have chosen for their leader.

(Continued on Fourth Page).

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1884.



r FLIES AND BUGS, v«u«. iimou, racta. natauwj. bim niU,(UTt cc, gsphfln, chll'iuuakß, cleared out by Bough on "^ - KomptiionM. Ptomw * O>., Igmti, AiicHana Special Advertisements. PARTNER WANTED In a Firm about to start the Manufacture of HYDRAULIC LIME on the Maliuraißl River. For furthor particulars apply to " CONCRETE," ■ Post-office, Warkworth. TMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. CONTINUANCE OF OUR GREAT WINTER CLEARING SALE, j Wo fcoe to anrfojinco thatinorder to effect an ENTIRE CLEATiaNeE, B HAVE FURTHER REDUCED OUit ALREADY VERY LOW PRICES, I And that we are now offferlng our IMMKNJ3B STOCK AT A LOWER RATE Than similar Boads-have erer been sold at in jSucklariil before. In our CLOrmNO DEPARTJSf ENT especially SW-EEPINffREBUCHONS nave been made. And wo are new selling all descriptions of MEN'S TROUSERS AND VESTS, SUITS AND MERCERY, &c, FAR UNDER COST. The^piesent, an opportunity rery rarely offered of MtUig tho very Best Quality of Goods at the very Lo w,eßt Price, should bo eagerly taken advantage of. H i:oTE tub Addkess— m T nOSGKAN'fi AND fiOi, 2Qi AND 206, QUEEN-STREET. QECON D - B B X OF THE GREATEST BONA FIDE SALE EVER HELD IN NEW ZEALAND. THE GENUINENESS OF THIS SALB OF_ OF EVERY DESORIPTIPN, Has been bornp out by the CROWD of CUS THIS WEEK, FRESH GOODS WILL BE OPENED. THE SAME SLAUaHT^BRINGi CONTINUED. C»MB EARLY, AS THB PRBMiSKB ARE MONSTER CLOTHING BALL, 214, aXJKBN. STREET, , . . OPBOaiTB MOAETHOTB'B, ' -;; . T'VT/'E. 7]^'-....■ ::■ -\ yj» :..*4, •;;■:. Ji manageb.



Special Advcrtiscnicilts. THE NEW ZEALAND OLOTHINQ FACTORY Display an Immense variety In MEN'S and BOYS' CLOTHING, etc., made of thacelebrated MOBQIEL TWEEDS, unequalled In VALUE and Buperlor Fitting. The most economical and durable good* ever manufactured. | Garments to fit every figure- always • In itock. Auckland Branch: !' 168 & 160 QUEEN' STREET. i J. FITZSIMONS, Branch Uanajur. DR. 'WILK IN S, F. R. C. ft., COHSULTING AND OPERATING SUBGEO.V. la at hia Surgery for General Practice, atso Kyk. Ear, and Throat Diseases. . Mornimos, Afternoons, and Kvbninos. . Consultation Fees very Modorato. Dr. WiLKiNB spent sovon yoars at Mooroflelds Ere Hoapitfi. London, undor Messrs Bowman and Crlehett, two at Throat Hospital, London, seven yoara Honorary Surgeon .abort Hospital, and eight years at Eye, Kar. and Throat Ui flrmary.Molbourne. Adjusts Bpeotaclcs to sights. —Consulting Rooms. Queen-streot (near Post ofllce), Auckland. |-kISEABES OF THE EYE. ARTHUR RICHARDSON, M.D., SPECIALIST AND OPERATOR ON DISEASES OF THE BYE, MAY BE CONSULTED AT HIS RESI DENCE. KARANGAHAPK ROAD. From 1 to 8 In the afternoon. After April Dr, Riohardson will not attend In Town, but from 1 to 4 at hia own Residence. ■f V "~S~T O -P JB N E D, ft Anothor Thousand LADIES' AND CHILDREN'S FASHIONABLE WINTER HATS AND BONNKTB, At the Low Prtoo of ONE SHILLING EACH, Worth from IBs to 15s. This Lot is superior .to the Previous Ship ment, and comprlso many New Shades and Colours. Ladles aro requested to oome and In speottlieso Goods before purchasing elsewhere, as they cannot possibly be equalled In any othor Shop 111 New Zealand. Please Notk thb Address— FERNANDEZ, DRAPER AND CLOTHIKIt. Karangahapo Road, Nowton. lIEMKMBKB I TUB PRICE IS ONE SHILLING EACH. XpARLY pjLOSING. WILLIAM RATTRAY Begs to Inform his Patrons that in future he will CLOSE HIS ESTABLISHMENT AT SIX O'CLOCK ON SATURDAYS, And roapectrully rcoucsta their co-operation by MAKINO THEIR SATURDAY FUKCHASKB BEFORE THAT HOUR. WILLIAM V>ATTRAY, 178, 180, 182, Queen-street. MILNE & CpOYCiS Have decided to CLOSE THEIR PREMISES AT SIX P.M. ON SATURDAYS DURING TOE WINTER MONTHS. Commencing . . SATURDAY, JULY 19th Inbtaxt. This being done in the interests of the Early Closing Movement, M. and C. would beg their patrons TO SHOP EARLY, And so enable them to make it a HtBMAKENOy. TEE CHEAP CLEARING SALE OF WINTER GOODS 18 STILL BEING CONTINUED. •'Sir WELLESLffX AND LORNE-fITKBEaU THE LIVER STIMULANT.rA COMPOUND EXTRACT Or EUONOMVN »NO PODOPMVLLIN WITH TARAXACUM—IS INCOMPARABLY THE BEST TONIC fOH BIUOUB NESS, TORPID MVtn, OYS9IPSI*. rUTIUXNCC AND LOSS OF APPETITE. 28. 80, PtftiBOTTLE M MCMH'B. CWWISI, QMVM 9vTO.W, NgW\.MHS Chief Post-office, Auckland. Maim will Closk as undbbi— TBIB DAT. For Glsbbrno, Napier, and Southern Ports, per Southern Cross, at 4 p.m. For Watefford, Tauranga, &c, per Roto mahana, at 4.30 p.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 5 p.m. For Wangarei Heatis, Parua, Waipu, Wan garol, Kamo, and Mangupai, per Macgregor or Waitaki, at 5 p.m. Wednesday, 30th;inst For Tryphcna, Port Fitzroy and Whangapara para, per Rowena, at 3 p.m. For Coromandel, per Coromondol. at 3.30 p.m. For Suva and Samoa via Russell (per Penguin), per Rotomahana, art p.m. Per Rotomahana as follows :— For Russell, Kawakawa, Australian Colo nlcs, and United Kingdom, via Brindlsi or Naples, per Orient boat, for letters, etc.. speci ally so prepaid and addressed, at 1 p.m. For Franco, Algeria, Mauritius, Cape of Good Hope, etc., per Frcnoh packet from Sydney, at 3 p.m. ■Money Orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 3 p.m. < '■■ Late letters for Sydney ;and Melbourne only United kingdom mail will be dne in Londen on 15th September. ■ For Thames, per Enterprise, at 4.3Q p.m. Tbubsday, Slstinst. For Waiwera, Te Kapa, Craigietam, Wark worth. etc.. per Rose Casdy, at 10 a.m. Per Arawata, as follows s— For India. China, Japan, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 10 a.m. For Gißborne. Napier, Southern Ports, Aus tralian Colonies, and United Kingdom (via ■ .Poezand Bruicflg forletterß , &0.. specially so prepaid ,and addressed), at 11 a.m. Far money orders, registered letters and newspapers at 10 a.m. Late letters till 11.20. Mall will b.eUue.in London on Monday, September 22. ' • •" For Tauragga, Oblnemntu and Opotlki car Glonolg, *5 p.m. . > N.8.-The 8.8. Coptic" will leave Lyttelton, for London, via Rio de Janiero and Plymouth on August 10. Expected time of pasaagg, & dayß. m. . >:; > .S.B. HlSß,Chief Poßtmaster, Ohlaf Pogfrofflce. AKoklahd.. ■ ,t &



"ROUGH ON CORNS."-A«k tor WellaV" Rough m Com" Qulokrellot, complete, p.rm»oont cum Com.>nrto. totOM. ■ Komv , thonl9j rroMcr s Co.,'Ajents. Auoklnnd.



Lovely Climes.—There are lovely climos and plaoos in which the evoning zephyrs aro loaded with malaria and tho poiaon of fever and epldomlcs. To dwell there in health is impos siblo, without a supply of Hop Bitters at hand Thoso Bittera impart an equalising strength to tho svßtem, and prevent tho accumulation of deadly spores of contagion. Be sure and sec.



An interesting debate on the subject,.-, "Was the Deluge universal?" takes place at the Ponsonby Baptist Young Hen a Christian Mutual Improvement Associanofi this evening. A sacred concert will be held in the We? loyan "school-house," Onehunga, on Friday : evening, Sth AMgust, in aid of the Choir 0 Benevolent Fund. Mr G. VV. Binnoy will offer by puWW auction at his mart to-morrow 2,170 pacKr ages of new season teas, ex s.s. Tamsui, from Foochow. Particulars in advertise; nipn);, to-which thp attention of merchants and gtorokeepors is directed. -;■ • Ma£arial FEVKR.-Malarlal fevers, congftW tion. torpidity of the liver'and todcoyß^Mg dobilit % nervousness and neural#a J^rE" v 5 Wold readily to tins great disease conflyrimv hop Bitters/ " wpairs the ravages otatoej"..