VENTS.

jc, To-night. Jmucy," 8 p.m- IWnK Contest, 8 p.m. ' _ n _ General Meeting. 7.33 - ... i_„u T.ndeo Are, 7.30 p.m. "^erslie G*-^! "Ur anc- Mission,,7.-0 p_m. To . m ,__ a S W_. Auction Solos, . jQur uam Messrs B. Tonka and ca_ Stt i o of stock, ohaso Privileges, and aw > WooU 010 _ at Dur . Moßsrs Hunter jand NowmarkotYaras,_r h . n and u aber . hum Yards, U »n^ v a . m . Mr Gabriol T ond Hon _ G asftlioia. Lamps, dashcry, Oiis^jjjp.g chronomotcrp.etcll a. or. Messrag iDI - ov _ Hob 3 rt Fn ,it, hn m. B,° "johnßel'd and Co.-Property on Col "Sf, 12 noon. ..ssrs Vailo and Bradley - Faun Produ.e _._ Furniture, 11 a.m. P Mr R. Arthur-Sale of £3.000 worth of Jewel lery, Watches, etc , at his Mart, Queon-streot, ftt 12 o'clock.

Chief Post office, Auckland.

Mails will oloso as under :-

This Day.

For Russell, Kawa Kawa, and Fiji, por Arawata. at I p.m. ■ For Tauranga,. Rotorna, and Opotikl, per

Clansman, at 5 p.m. For Whangarol Heads. Whanaarpl, Kamo, Russell, Kawakawa. Herd's Point, Wha ngaroa, and Mongonul, por Wellington, at JForMangawai and Kalwaka, por Ruby, at 6

For™Vhltlanga, Upper Mill, and Tairua, per

lona. at 5 p.m. ._,_.-.-, FOr Thames, per Enterprise, at 5.31 p.m,

Tuesday, Juno 2,

For Watw.ra, Kawau. Omaha, and Matakana,

Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Tairua. per Mana. at 1 p.m. For Thames, unr Kotomahana, at 300 p m.

Per Manapouri, as follows:— For India, China, Japan. Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 3 p.m. For Russell. Kawakawa, Australian Colo nies, and United Kingdom, via Suez and. Brin disi or Naples, per Orient boat, for letters, etc spcoially so prepaid and addressed, at j p.m. For money orders, resistered letters, and newspapers, at 3 p.m. Letters for Sydney and Melbourne only, at 1 20 p.m. United Kingdom mail will bo duo in London FMWhantrairoi Heads. Parua. Waipu. Whan gareL Kamo, and Mangapai, per Waitak., at 5 p.m. For Tnauies, per Kotuku, at 5. SO p.m,

Thursday, June 4. For London, vlaßtodo Janeiro, and Plymouth <per Tongarlro, loaving Wellington Sunday, 7th June, por Tarawora, at 11 a m. For money ordors, registered letters and newspapers, at 10 a.m. Mall will be duo at Plytaouth on Thursday. 19th Ju'y- , . „ . For Australian Colonies, per Australia, imme diately after her arrival from Honolulu. For Taranakl and Southern ports aud London via Rio do Janeiro (for specially addressed ; correspondence only, per Arawa from Lyttelton on 6th June), per Rotorua, Immediately af tor arrival of Australia. United Kingdom mail will bo duo in London about 19th July.

S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster, Chief Post-ofllco, Auokland.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATEB,

ATJCKtAOT—This evening, 9.7; to-morrow Manuka'.1 Hkaee—This evening, 11.17: to lorrow morning, — .6. . Kaipara Heads—To-morrow inorning, —.17 )-morrow afternoon, 1.6,

Sunset.—This ovoning-4.17. Sunrise.—To-morrow morning—79. Moon's Age.—Last Quarter, 6th, 11.11 a.m,

ARRIVALS.

YE3TERDAY. Wellington, s s., Stephenson from Tanranga lona, 5.8., Amodeo, from Barrior TO-DAY. Australia, P.M.8.5.. Ghest, from San Francisco. Manapouri, s s., Logon, from Southern pons Mimlba, achoonor, Youlden, from Newcaatlo Knergy schooner, Francis, from Dunodin Iflalietoa, schooner, Godfrey, from Lyttelton

DEPARTURES.

YESTSRDAY. larah and Mary, brlgantine, Priest, from Met" cury Bay

IMPORTS.

Per Manapouri: 23 packages tea, 100 cases tenova, 85 bags onionß, 350 boxes candles, 400 randies hoop iron. 120 boxes soap. 60 cases .ranges, GO oases hop bitters, 25 cases jams, 90 lolla wire, 560 sacks wheat, 21 coils lead pipe, 74 -iars and 59 bundles iron, 200 sacks oatmeal, 22 uses fish, 19 pieoes bluestono.

(ISW-tBBS Coastwise.—lda, from Newcastle, with 58 tons firewood and 70 posts: Waipu, from ?akiri, with 19 logs; Pakapuka, from Barrier, with2.logs: Waltemata, from Whangapoua, 15000 ft. timber; Mana, from Tairua, with 13,000 ft. timber.

. Outwards Coastwise.— Pakapuka, for Bar lor; Waipu,'. for Paktri; Waltemata, for Vnangapoua.

The schooner Cleopatra loft Lyttelton for Auckland on Saturday last.

The brlgantlne Sarah and Mary sailed yester lay for Mercury Bay, where she will load tab _r tor Brisbane.

The brlgantlne Linda Webor has entered out fards at the Customs for Brisbane via Mercury lay.

The s.s. Waltaki. which returned from Wha igarei on Saturday night, was docked to-day or cleaning She wiU leave for Whangarei igain to-morrow evening.

Tb.es.B. Wellington arrived from Tauranga it 5.30 a.m. on Sunday, with tho following pas engers .-Messrs R. T. Blake. Gearnck, Jor [an: N. Mitchell, D. Walkor, Wilson, A. P. VUliams. Garrett, Mr and Mrs Bheman, Mr ndMrsWilmot.

The three-masted schooner Energy, whioh left ■ort Chalmers on the morning of Wednesday, lay 26th, has made a rapid passage up. She fas coming up Rangitoto Channel late this fter-oon, and will probably arrive in harbour 3-nlght.

[Captain Amodeo reports that when the lona kftMeroury Bay on Friday night the schooner Columbia s ndltho cutter Lizzie were the only "O.sela loading. IThe three-masted schooner Penpont hauled Staled off from the wharf this morning. She is Expected to sail to-night for Weßtport.

The Lonle has been converted into a topsail chooner, and has undergone other alterations fhioh are expected to improve her sailing pwer.

The German barque Carl Both, 528 tons agister, left Wellington for this port yesterday dth original cargo from New York, including 050 caßes keroslne and sundries.

IThobnrquffNoteroleftLytteltonfor Auckland k tho morning of May 24 with the following Ereo: 5.174 sacks wheat, 95 sackß beans, 1,381 koks barley. 200 saoks malt, 335 sacks flour, 1,000 tags flour, 16 sacks peas, 1 sack clover, 1,384 Sobs potatoes, 132 cheese, 130 sacks onions.

THE MANAPOURI.

mt s.s. Manaponrl, from Melbourne via anthem ports, arrived at 9.80 a.m. She left tolbonrne on 20th nit. at 6 p m., arrived at luff at 1 p.m. on 24th. After calling at the anal coastal portß, took her departure from Isborne for Auckland on 31st nit. at noon. ounded East Cape at 530p m. PassedTlri iri at 9 a.m. on Ist, and arrived at the Wharf .above. Had fresh northerly windsfrom Mel jurne to Bluff, and on tho coast moderate lUth-west with flno weather throughout. Pas ngers: Saloon — Mosdames D. B. Crulck lank, Crichton, Sutton, Warren, Odell and .ree children, Bamberger, Brett, Misses rild. Holmes, Odell. Hollow, Judge Gillies, r and Mrs Jewott ttnd famllj (I), essrs Warren, Dodge, Wallace, Cargo, Perm , Marsdon, Long, Logon, Clayton, miomson, Imming, Wnittaker. Bagley, Dodds. Wil «ns. Keld, Carmlchael, Watton, Garrett, lixitnan. Hammer. Williams, Bamberger, :et.F.Birks. W.E. Blrks, Black, and 40 in c steerage. For Sydnoy-Saloon: Mrs Haul y. MißSes Halliday. Mlsa Rowbotham, Miss fisdown, Messrs W. Stevenson. Paul, Halli y, Newman, J. Roid. Arundel, J. H. Kitchen, ggott, and 10 steerage We are Indebted to r Shas. H. Hudson, purser, for press parcels, port, etc.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS, torua, s.s, Neville from the South

DEPARTURES. rwena, s.s.. Norbury. for Waitara •gyle, ss., Daniels, for Waitara Snail Mbkau, s.s., Windsor lor Raglan and Eawhla.

Ttes,s. Hannah Mokau left for Raglan and [whia this evening with a general cargo, 'he Northern Company's steamers Argyle and wena left for Waitara at 1 o'clock to-day, rly patronised with passongers and cargo, "he s.B. Rotorna arrived from Southern ports USonSnndaymorningjPaesengerat-Misses _ K ers. Braithwaite, WaUaoe (2», Young, ikson (2), Mesdamcs Thomson, Hazlett, uran and two children, Messrs Wilson, dgson. Thomson, Wallace, Mauran, Flyger, ore. Profit-, McGlashan. Edgecombe, Hill, nkin, and 18 steerage. She leaves again for i South to-morrow morning should the Eng i mail have arrived.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

IVTTEI.TON, yesterday.—Arrived: Triumph, n Auckland: Boukar, ship, 116 days from teLiiiraTot. this day.-Arrlvecl: S.S. Waka 1, from Sydney.

COMMERCIAL.

Ms& Evening Stab Office, this day. H B. Arthur reports of his last week's Heral Bales:—At tho eloarlng-out sale of flt _-_-_f.- balance of stock, at the premises, Quoen- Wm-ot, lately occupied by Messrs M. Levy and Hi tho attendance was upon the wholo good, WM prices satisfactory. Thursday: Sale of farm Ho acres, with dwellings and outbuildings, in HHakura Valley, by order of the Kegistrar of ■ Supreme dourt, sold at £1,000 to Mr M. _Hry. The sale of household furniture was Hfoly attonded. The piano Bold at £3!; suites Ku._.t S3 10b to £20; double iron bedstead, HR to £1 i portable boiler, £2 17b 6d; lookiag ■Biaes. 6si to £218s each ; oheffoniers, A3 2s 6d BHiIC-. ■ a pair of bronze ornament*, fil 15s : m_\mce, marble, Hi 17s M; eboffc 700

Births.

GRADWILL.-On June I, at the residence of hw mother (Mrs B. Butterwell), Ventnor, Mount Eden, Mrs C. H. Gradwlll ot a son. NAIRN.— On May 10. at Dundon_ld-street, Newton Road, the wife of W. C. Nairn of a son. ; . NEJLL.—At her residence, Ryde-street,' Pon sonby, the wife of A. Neil! of a daughter.

marriages.

GEORGE-BUTLER.-On Moy 31. at St. Mat thew's Church, by the Rev. W. Tebbs, M.A.. Ernest Eden George (of tho firm of Tuttle and Co.) to Ada Butler, of Christchnrch. .

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

For th» »ni» Out laoki usiit-Sca, For the wrong th«.t.n«_dj ralituce, Tat tht fatar* in t£_ <irtan.», And tho good that wo ess do.

MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1885.

The terms of settlement between Eng land and Russia, as telegraphed to-day,| are far more favourable to England than we had anticipated. Every point of strategic advantage is ceded to Afghanistan. Not only does Russia abandon her claim to the northern slopes of the Paropamisus range, but she gives up M. Lessar's line altogether,! evacuates Zulfikar Pass, which was

occupied by Russian troops, and leaves Meruchak and the strip of Turkoman country between Meruchak and Zulfikar to the Ameer. The line adopted appears to differ very little from that i originally suggested by England, ex cept that it will probably be carried south of Penjdeh and leave that place under Russian control. The Ameer incorporates into his kingdom a belt of territory over which his previous rule, if he exercised any, consisted in a very questionable sort of suzerainty, and the northern defences of Afghan territory proper are left intact; Russia retires frcm a position she had occu pied, and acknowledges the predomin- ' ance of English influence in Afghanis tan, personified by Sir Donald Stewart's direction of the defences of Herat. If this adjustment constitutes a diplo matic victory to Russia, the Czar is very welcome to it. Russia has accepted very much less than she had claimed as a right, and England gets everything that is of any use for the defence of the Indian Empire, or to give compact ness to the dominions of her ally, the Ameer. The deviations sanctioned in the boundary originally suggested by England are not more than would naturally be looked for upon an arbitrary line drawn from one point to another as a basis of parleying. On reference to the Star map of Afghanis tan, it will be seen that this line of boundary (the centre one of the three) commences a little north of Zulfikar, and passes immediately north of Penj deh. The line agreed to between the two countries, as we gather from to day's despatches,starts!somewhcrc about the point indicated on the map, but takes a more southerly direction, passing between Penjdeh and Meruchak (the details to be adjusted by survey on the ground). The firm attitude of Eng land has had a great deal to do with the moderation of Russia ; and the collision at Penjdeh, by straining diplomacy to the point of rupture, mado the Russian Council more anxious to come to an agreement. The vigour and vitality displayed by England in her recent preparations for resisting Russian encroachments, and the readiness of the Government and people to defend the Empire single handed against the Northern Colossus, has raised England in the respect of the Great Powers of Europe. The satisfactory settlement, so largely due to the firmness, combined with moderation and foresight, of the Gladstone Government, will also strengthen them in the country at the approaching general elections. It is not often that a nation escapes with peace and honour from such a situation after the implements of war had been mustered for attack, and the passions of both sides had been heated to the boiling point.

A Public Lending Library.

It may safely bo affirmed that no question of moro widely-extended public interest has been ventilated in the City Council Cham bers this year than that of establishing a lending department in connection with the Free Public Library, It comes boforo tho public, too, singularly frco of personal con siderations, and in raising it Cr. Upton displays a commendablo abnegation of eelf-interest, for it is manifestly to his ad vantage as a booksollor that tho systematic loan of books should bo confined to the trade which he represents. This very fact lends additional lorce, therefore, to tho arguments which ho adduced at tho last meeting of the Council in furtherance of tho scheme with which he is identifying himself. It stands to reason that as the-ratepayers pay forthe maintenance of the Library,they ore entitled to dorivo from it iho groate.it possible advantages that it can bo made to yield them. That thoy do not at present securo anything like a commensurate return for their contributions, a littlo reflection will clearly establish. In tho daytimo tho classes who viisit the Library are people of retired loiauro, strangers passing through tho city, and persons out of work, with an infusion of tho shopboy and approntice element nt the luncheon hour. After nightfall tho Library is usually filled with men living in lodgings within the city, with a sprinkling: of sailors from the vessels in harbour. Tho groat bulk of tho artisan class, howevor, rosido in tho suburbs, and at such a distance from the Library that under tho most favourable conditions of weather or of nccoss to tho city tho bodily fatigue resulting from the day's hard work would act as a strong deterrent to the gratification of literary tastes at the expense of a long walk. Besides, in the interests of domostic happi ness, it would be undesirable to oQer temptations for tho abridgement of tho few flours which tho plodding artisan has to spend in the bosom of his family. It is obvious, thoroforo, that a3 tho ratopayor cannot como to the Library to consume his literary pabulum, ho must have tho opportunity of taking it homo to feed upon and assimilato at his loisuro. Councillor Upton's reference to the succoss of tho experiment of lending books from tho great libraries in England was very appo site, and tho bare tact that out often million issuos from tho Newcastlo-on-Tyne Library only sixteon books had boen lost, should go far to answer any objections that may be raised on the score of extra oxponso. Any additional expenditure involved in carrying out tho scheme in its entiroly might be defrayed by levying a small fee on those who use the londing branch. The Council took a practical step in Instruct ing the Town Clerk to write to Sydney, Nowcastleon-Tyne, and Nottingham, for information regarding the method adopted for working the lending branch. They should also have in eluded North Shields In the list of towns whence information is derived, since that place has the distinction of being tho first to adopt the Free Publio Libraries Act in the United Kingdom. All requieito particulars, too, could havo been obtained in tho colony as to tho management of tho principal public libraries of the old country. At North Shields, we may mention, a most efficient system is in vogue, whereby the labour of tho librarian and the time of tho public aro alike economised. Each borrower (who has to ontor into a writton bond to make good any loss or in jury of books whilo in his care) is provided with a card, on which is noted the nambor of the book he may tako out, along with tho date. This card is depositod in a rack, which, with thousands of small pigeon holes, runs along the counter, and is only in possession of tho reador whon he has no book from tho library. The pigoonholos bear numbers corresponding with thoso of every book intholibrary, which numbers are dupli cated inside for the use of the librarian, and a glance to see whether the card is in the pigeon-hole is sufficient to show whether a given book is in tho library or in the hands of a reader. Persons wishing books have Bimply to stand in front of this rack with their catalogues, and without a minute's delay or requiring the aid of the librarian, they can tell whether the books they wish are to be got. This system being also adopted at South Shields and Newcastle-on-Tyne, our City Council will be supplied with a full descrip tion of it. It appears admirably adapted for large populations, where otherwise great delay would take place through the librarian having to search the shelves to find if any book that was wanted was " in " or "out."

The steamer Manapouri has added another rapid passage to her previous good record. She left Gisborne at noon on Sunday, and arrived alongside of the Railway Wharf at 9.30 this morning, thus havirfg accomplished the passage in 21_ hours.

Yesterday was the coldest day we have yet experienced this season. In the morn ing the thermometer stood at 40°.

At to-morrow's meeting of tho Harbour Board Mr Owen will move, " That in con sideration of Mr McDonald's 13 years' service as Engineer to the Board, one quarter's salary bo paid to him on his retirement in addition to hi:, salary for tho current mouth."

Judge Gillie, wan a passenger by the Manapouri, which arrived from Southern ports this morning. Several passengers per Tongariro from London also came up in the Manapouri.

In our notice of Meßsrs Bartlett and Co.'s new studio the other.day, we forgot to mention that the handsome decorations of the establishment were executed by Mr lionderson, of Wyndham-street,

Mr E. E. George, a partnor in tho firm of Tuttlo and Co., tho well-known photo fraphei's, was married yesterday at St. lotthew's Church to Miss Ada Butler, of Christchurch.

Mr Dodge, advanco agent for the Silver King Dramatic Company, arrived horo by tho Manapouri this morning. The Com pany is now playing at Napier,^ and will opon in Auckland about a week honoe. ■

The Tovin Clerk has written to Mr Jas. Adams, College Road, acknowledging receipt, with thanks, of two copies of Mr Will's book of poems, "A Bunch of Wild Paneies," presented to the Freo Public Library.

Tho Local Option poll for tho Takapuna Licensing District was taken on Saturday last at Devon port, Takapuna, Korthcote, and Lucas Crook, tho result boing aa fol lows : —For an increaso of publicans' licensos: Dovonport, 4; Nortlicoto, 4. Against: Dovonport, 59; Northcote, 30. For an increase of accommodation licenses : Devonport, 7; Northcoto, 3. Against: Dovonport, 54 ; Northcote, 31. At Taka puna only one vote was recordea, and that an informal one, while tho return f;*m Lucas Crook is not yet to hand, but/of course, tho rosult cannot bo affected, there boing but fow voters in tho district.

Tho Nowton Riflo Corps now numbors 60 mombors, and ia progressing favourably with drill. Mr R. Stovonson, J.P., has at tonded to tho swearing-in of the mombors. Mos.ra Soely and Mcßride, of tho Auckland Clothing Factory, havo tho uniforms almost completed. Arrangements havo been mado with Mr Hazoll for tho use of tho Riding School, Now ]North Road, as a drill hall, whoro members aro notified to attond in future.

A sale of surplus goods from the recent bazaar on behalf of tho Grafton Road now Wesleyan Church is announced to bo hold in tho .schoolroom at the roar of t-lio church on Wednesday and Thursday next, in tho afternoon and evening of each day. The pricos havo been roduced, and there is no charge for admission, so a good attendance is expected.

Last evening, tho Rev. Thomas Spurgeon in the course of his sermon on "To Whom Bolongest Thou ?" vigorously attacked the gorgeous and ridicu lously fashionable peculiarities which characterise feminine drees at the present day. Ladies scorned to vie with one anothor as to how they could make guys of thomsolves by adopting fantastic styles for their garbs. Such conformity to the world in clothing themselves was roprelioneibly sinful, and should bo spoken against every where. A {weon's drees was, to somo ox tont, an indication of his mind. Tho Tabor tinclo was packed, and many went away very pleased with tho proaclier's strictures on tho prevailing fashions.

"Thojcook of tho steamer Arawata had a narrow escape from drowning on Saturday night. He fell between tho vessel and tho Queen-street wharf into tho water, but being n fair swimmer kept afloat until a boat put off" to Ilia assistance ami rescued him. Ho was taken on board of the Arawntn, and soon recovered from the efl'ccts of his cold bath.

The Naval Artillory had a church parade yesterday, headod by tho Garrison Band, and attended the Church of St. Sopulchro. Tho mon mustered in full, and looked re markably well in their uniform. The Navals wero under tho command of Cap tain Lo Roy. An excellent sermon was preached by Archdeacon Dudley, who leaves to-morrow for Sydney for a six woeks' holi day.

To tho Editor: Sir,—ln your last issuo it appoared in tho report of tho nautical inquiry regarding tho Herald and Gaiiloch collision that I gavo ovidonco of having boon Harbour-master at tho Manu kau for nearly 50 yearn, which report, in a sonso, wants correcting. What I said in answer to the Crown Prosecutor's question was that I was Harboiir-ma.toratthoManu kau, and had known it for noarly 50 years, and was its original discoverer.—l am, etc., Thomas Wine.

As Minister of Justice, the Hon. Mr. Tole gives every satisfaction in this part of the colony at least, and wo havo heard of no complaint from any other district. An in stance of his prompt attention to matters brought under his notice has juat como to our knowledge. An Auckland gentleman who has a claim for compensation against the Telegraph Department for injury done to some country land belonging to him, finding that vexatious and imlofinite delay took place in obtaining a settlement, wrote recently to Mr Tole, and in a short timo thereafter ho received intimation that tho compensation would bo paid at once. A capital number of tho "Church Gazette is issued for this month. It con tains part of a good article on tho " Bible in Schools," by tho Rev. P. 8. Smallfield ; a continuation of " Reminiscences of tho Maori War;" a particularly interesting account of the proceedings of tho Native Church Board, of which presidont and members aliko aro natives; and tho declaration of tho Upper House of Convo cation (Canterbury) respecting tho De ceased Wife's Sistor Mornago question. A lotter from tho tnissionors who are to con duct tho forthcoming mission also appears ; this may bo studied with groat profit, Dioco.an and parochial intelligence of much profit, together with tho usual choice and valunblo oxtrncte, mnko up an unusually good numbor.

"Ada Mantua" has again sont us the names and addressos of bor principal win ners, also of hor committee foi tho Provin cial Handicap. No doubt as long as "Ada" follows tho courso she has marked out for hersolf her consultations will give tho greatest satisfaction to ovorybody con corned. Tho first prizo of £288 not wont to a woll-known saddler of Greymouth ; £144, to an omployeo at tho Bull and Mouth Hotel, Dunodin; £96, to tho Pound keeper at Duns tan, Otago.

The weekly drills of tho new Gordon Riflo Volunteer Corps wero hold on Tuesday and Thursday evenings of Inst week, anil wero well attended, about forty-oight being prcsont on each occasion, including Captain Whito and Lieutenants Leigh and Fairs. The men wero put through a steady course of drill by tho Captain and by Lieutenant Wainwright, tho Government Drill Instruc tor, and acquitted themßelvos well, con sidering tho short time tho company has been formed. Aftor drill tho arms and ac coutrements wero issuod to the men, and it was announced that a district circular had been received from tho officer commanding the district stating that the Drill-Shed, could be used by the corp on Tuesday evonings from soxen to eight o'clock, and on Friday mornings from seven o'clock, commencing from the Ist Juno. The next drill will talio place oh Tuesday (to-morrew evening), at the Drill-Shed, Wellosley Street, when it iB desirable that tho whole of tho company should be present.

Tho Salvation Army Brigade Captain's weekly roport of tho Homo at Scotia Place is ns follows: —Number of meals given, 141 ; number of beds supplied, 50 ; number of porsons admitted, 15 ; number of persons discharged, 11; number of porsons still in the Home, C. Articlos received : Messrs Garrott, Fngan, nulmo, Hellaby, meat. Mrs Howie, Messrs Wnddoll and Tremaine, bread ; Mr Brown, Tabernaclo bread and butter; C. B. Stono, firewood; D, Goldie, timber; Captain Lovorock, clothing and cooked food ; W. L. Prime, groceries ; Mr Ilea, blankets, sheets, and pillows; A Friend, two bags potatoes; Mrs Morgan, shirts; T. Ball, ss; E. Ball, 2s 6d; A Friend, ss. I desire to specially thank the proprietors of " Herald " and Stab for their kindness in inserting my weekly reports, for by doing so we get better support. The Home is in want of groceries and firewood. —11. Little. Mr Pv. Arthur announces in our adver tising columns today, that at noon to morrow, he holds a continuation of the sale of watches and jewellery. The stock is estimated at £3,000, and the jewellery comprises diamond rings, heavy solid loc kets, brooches, earrings, studs, pendants, etc. All the goods aro warranted, and every article is for absolute sale. There are rumours afloat at Wellington that the Government intend to increase the sugar duty on the first day of the session. It is considered certain that the Property Tax will be raised to the same amount as in 1883-4. Fire at Lornestrket.—Tho Chairs and Furniture rescued from the fire at our factory, together with our extensive stock of Carpetß are now offered to the public at Clearing Sale Prices at our temporary premises in Wellesley street Bast. Discount on Carpets from 4s to 7s in tho A—Garliok and Cranwell. Feei,s Young Again.—"My mother was afflicted along time with neuralgia, and a dull, heavy. Inactive, condition of the whole system, head :iche, nervous prostration, and was almost hoipless. No physicians or medicine., did her Bny «oofl. Three montha ago she began to use Dr. Koules Hop 8U1..1-. with such gunil cfioe.t that sboseeusunci tee's:, cm;; h«c, _.l.!:r. _j.:'.i over seventy years old.''—A L-.-.V 1..' K.J., U.S.A Lookup. Chambers's celebrated ■-• ■ ■■•■..:■'::'—..-?. 20, Queen-street. " SJUGH ON CORNS. "-Atk lor Wells-"Boo jh u> Co_Ti_' Quick relief, complete permanent cut-. Cams, wait-, Sgf^^M! Kvzrmt&T* Co., J*mU. Lveklmt. .

ARRIVAL OF THE AUSTRALIA WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Tin. mail steamer Australia, with the English and American mail, was coming up the harbour when we went to press. She loft 'Frisco on Sunday, the 10th inst., and i. therefore one day late.

DETERMINED SUICIDE.

An Old Man Cuts His Throat With a

Tabic Knife,

A eldkrly man named John Nairn com mitted suicide at the Old Men's Refuge oarly on Sunday morning by cutting his throat with a tablo knife. Mrs Brophy, matron of tho institution, states that Nairn committed the rash act between 2 and 3 u,m., shortly after which he was discovered in bed with his throat cut, the injury having evidently boon inflicted with a table knife which he retained in his possession, The man was bleeding freoly and it was deemed advisable that he should be removed to the Hospital for medical treatment, Ho was attended to by Dr. Bond who found that the wound was a serious one, several veins having been cut. Nairn is a man about 79 years of ago, who onco before attempted his life at Epsom. He was committed to tho Lunatic Asylum, but owing to some irrogularity he was not ad mitted, and was sent to the Refuge. His present attempt on his own life proved moro successful than his last, for he died from liis injuries in the Hospital this afternoon.

SPORTING NEWS.

Itoported Salo of Thunderbolt.

Mb J. Marshall's two yoar-old colt Thunderbolt will bo shipped to Sydney by tho s.s. Manapouri, which leaves for Sydney to-morrow, to tako part in the next V.R.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup. Rumour hath it that the colt has been sold to Mr H. P. Lance, who was here on a visit tho other weok, for 2,000 guineas, and ho will join the Hon. W. Robinson's team now located at Rnndwick. The unbeaten Bon of Musket will be taken ovor under the charge of tho well-known trainer, S. Higgot, who arrived from Christchurch to-day.

Macaroni and Ngata arrived by steamor in tho Manukau yesterday, for the purpose of taking port in the Auckland Racing Club Stoeplecaee Mooting. Director did not arrive as was oxpoctea, and it i. certain that ho will bo an absontee from tho moot ing. Mr D. Twohill's Revenge, I hear, has slightly bruised ono of his feet, and has not boon working this last two or threo morn ings. Thoro is every likelihood, however, of him boing all right by Saturday. On the occasion of tho Auckland Stoople chaso Mooting on Saturday next, the district tiaflic manager, Mr Hudson, has arranged to run special trains to Ellorslie at noon, 12.25,1,1.35, and2p.m.,roturning at live o'clock. The usual cheap return tickets will be issued. Alterations in tho running of the Wnikato and Kaipara trains, consequent upon theso arrangements, are advertised.

The Tross Association econt at Napier wires today -.—Director, 'fno first favorite for tho Auckland Steeplechase, returned to Hastings on Saturday, and is reported to bo an unlikely starter for that event,

HrrroNA,

FIRE AT DUNEDIN.

(BY TELEGRAPH—I'BKSS ASSOCIATION,)

Dunedik, this day. A six-KOOMBD house in Union street, occu pied by Mr A. Maggott, and owned by Mr A. J. C. Babor, was burned down this morning. The furnituro was insured in the Victoria Office for £140, and tho building in the Norwich Union for .C_so. Some clothes which had been placed boforo the kitchen fire to dry ignited, and caused the fire.

STEAMBOAT COLLISION AT KAWAU.

Tho Bar quo Gazello Bunk Alongside tho

Macgrofior.

Wiikx tho Macgregor was beached in front of Sir Georgo Groy's residence at Kawau it might havo boon reasonably concluded that misfortunes in connection with the unlucky craft would havo been suspended for a time, but, on the contrary, an other casualty has occurred and will cnuso furthor delay. When our reporter lsft Kawau on Friday night tho Gazelle, as was previously stated, was leaning so much that she was in dancer of filling with water, and wo now learn that this mishap occured on the following morning. Tho weight of tho Macgregor after tho broaknge of somo of the chains became unequal, and bore one side of tho Gazello so low that she took immonso quantities of water in tkrough her ports, and rapidly sottlcd down on tho bottom, with her docks just abovo water at high tide. Wo are indebted to Captain Amodoa, of the s.b. lona for tho following particulars respecting the state of affairs at noon on Saturday when he called at Kawau, en route for Great Barrier. Captain Amodoa says:—The lona loft Auckland for tho Croat Barrier early on Saturday morning. He had on board provisions for the Glenelg at .Kawau, and colloeUhero at 11 o'clock. Sheremained there until noon, then resumed her voyage, and returned to Auckland at 2 30 a.m. on Sunday. When we left Kawau the woathor was splendid, and tho tide was about half ebb. Tho Macgregor, Fanny Thornton and Gazelle wero on the beach to the northward ofSirGeorgoGrey'swharf. ThoMacgregor's covering boards wero just abovo water. The Gazollo went aground and had a good deal of wator in her. She was nearly up right, and th.6 wateralmoet reached her deck. All hands wero at rost, having been hard at work through the previous night excepting Captain Macgregor Mr Duncan, Chief En gineer, and the fireman. Thetwolatter wore engaged in an effort to pump out the Gazelle. They had removed one of the pumps from the Macgregor to tho deck of the Gazelle, and it was throwing off tremendous quantities of water. It was expected that the vessel would bo pumped dry by Saturday night, when she would of course float easily. Captain Macgregor intended to return to Auokland with the Glenelg ob Saturday night, but after the accident to the Gazelle ho decided to remain longer. After the barque floats another effort is to be made to run the Macgregor further ashore, in order that repairs may be easily effected at low water.

TABLE TALK.

Peace assured. Mail steamer late. Consols havo' fallen to IOOJ. Heavy hoar-frost this morning. " Diplomacy " in the Opera House to night. London wheat market continues in ■ active. New Zealand's new loan is quoted at 2 per cent, premium. The Chairman of the Piako County i Council has predicted that in about two years time the new battery at Te Aroha will be wiped out of existence by an avalanche of earth from above. Wellington people intend to try and get the three city electorates rolled into one. Mr John Thomson, New Plymouth has been appointed Harbour Engineer at Gis borne. The salary is £800 a year. 1 s*The Colonial Treasurer has just received £140 from some conscience-stricken person in New South Wales who formerly swindled our Government out of that sum. This suggests the reflection—By (Sir) George 1 What a windfall the Treasurer would get if certain land-grabbers in the colony would develop a conscience ! i 'A licensing court.—The permission to ■■ pay your address, i Wellington Woollen Company start to ■ build their factory. Waring Taylor's creditors will receive about 3s in tho £. Mount Hobaon is becoming a popular i recreation resort. The steamer Triumph and Hinemoa have : arrived at Wellington. A few more hundreds of pounds are to i be spent in repairing the Cambridge ! Rotorua Road. I A flowery name for the people of the ' Emerald Isle—Tho car-nation. For one person killed by a mad dog,'there are 100,000 killed by whisky; yet Now ! Zeslandlaboursbaidtoexeludehydrophobia, and manufacture tire-water. -A, Janet.Niocol leaves Wellington to jijilil for Lyttoltim iiud Dunedin, and begins her contract services to the South j Sea Islands on Thursday next, June 4th, i . (not July 4th, as erroneously telegraphed.)]

CABLEGRAMS.

(BY CABLE.-COPYRIGI_T.)

The Proposed Gordon Memorial Hospital.

London, May 30.—The project which was sot on fool; to establish a hospital at Port Said as a memorial to tho late Gonoral Gordon has beon abandoned. The com mittee who hove charge of thesubscriptious are now considering to what uso the funds should be put.

General Graham on the Colonial Troops.

General Graham, in his despatches, com mends the general order maintained by tho New South Wales contingent, and Bays that by their action a bright example has been shown of tho latont military strength

of tho Empire, and that tho soldierly spirit shown by them was a thoine of universal admiration.

Engliah Duty on C lonlal Wines.

Tho Agents-General for tho Capo of Good Hope and the Australian colonies have pre sented a joint petition to Mr Childers, Chancellor of the Exchequer, asking for a reduction of the wine duties, in view of the fact that a rupture has occurred in the negotiations for a commercial treaty with the Spanish Government.

Tho Gorman Emperor's Hoalth,

Behlin, May 31.—Tho latest bulletins regarding tho health of tho Emperor Wil liam stato that His Majesty is decidedly better.

ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

PEACE ASSURED,

Rii. slu Accepts the English Terms.

(by cable.— copyright.)

London, May 31. This reply oi tho Russian Government to the proposals of tho English Foreign Ollico was received yesterday, and its contents havo beou mndo public. By the arrange ment which has been come to, Maruchak and the Zulfikar Pass remain in the pos session of Afghanistan, and the work of the Commission will only include the details of delimitation—tho main points having already been fixed.

(BY TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, June 1

The Government havo recoived informa tion that Russia has accepted the proposals of England, and that peaco is nseurod,

A GANG OF JEWEL BOBBERS.

Two Persons Arrested,

(BY I'KI-KGIUPH—PRE-!. ASSOCIATION.)

WbllisgTO-T, this day. Tiik police havo a clue to tho perpetrators of tho jewellery robbory at Jenncs's, and havo mado two arrests In connection with It, namely—John Davis, a mulatto, nt Wel lington, and a young man namodAppen dale, at Lyttolton. Tho latter had been employed at tho To Aro Hotel, and on the room which he had occupied boing searched, a couple of keyhole saws wero found, also a gimlet, and it is said that in tho carpet bag lying in the room some of tho missing pro perty was discovered. Tho police are very reticent.

HWillinm Davis, tho mulatto, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the jewel lery robbery, was brought up this morning charged with receiving n watch knowing tho same to have been 'stolen. The case remanded until the 4th insl.

CniiiSTciiuK_ii, this day. A man has beon arrested at Lyttolton on suspicion of being concerned in the Wel lington jowellory robbery. At present it is doomed adv'sablo not to publish particu lars.

This Day. At the R.M, Court this morning, before Mr It. Beethnm, R.M., Herbert Allerdalo (or Aflenclalo), alias John Williams, was charged with burglariously entering tho shop of William .Tenness at Wellington on the night of May 2Gth, and stealing there from watches and jowollry to the value of about i\SOO. Inspector Finder said, with tho permission of tho Bench, ho would abstain from saying much about the caso at present. He assured the llench that part of tho stolen property had been (raced to tho possession of prisoner, and the police wore investigating the matter further, lie applied for a remand till Thursday, when ho would produco all tho evidence that could be obtained, and then ask for prisoner to bo further romanded to Wellington. His Worship remanded prisoner as re quested.

MINING NEWS.

(BY TELEQItA-'II— OWN COIULESFOKUENT.)

Thames, this day. La Month's Gold-Savini* ArrARATUs.— Tho proprietors of the AVoodstock claim (Karangahako) have ontorod into a con tract with Mr La Monto's associates for tho ereotion of a water-jacket smelting furnace capable of reducing 150 tons of ore per week, the plant to bo in working order within six months from date of agreement. The mine in question is notod for the woalth of silver contained in its lodes.

Ni_w Prince Imperial.—At the monthly rotorting on Saturday 212jozs. of gold were obtained from 20(1 (?) tons quartz. Cambria, —The manager has recoived 4_\ cwt. rich specimons from the under hand stopo Bince Thursday. New Whau.— Foster, tributer, banked 40Jozs.

POLICE COURT,- This Day.

(Before Messrs Moody and McElwaln, Justices ) Dbunk.—Nino persons were punißhod for this offence.

TnuFT.-Georgoßowe was charged with lar ceny of throo sblrts and a dog-chain, value 10s, tho property of Frederick H. Clement, of New Lynn. The prisoner, quit- a boy, pleaded guilty. Ho was under the Influence or drink, and had beou In prison eight days under de lirium tremens.- Sorgeant Pratt stated thefaot. The prisoner had been drinking heavily, and was vory deolamatorv at the New Lynn Hotol. Ho was sont away, and Immediately after it was discovered that ho bad stolen the dog chain, and three shirts from the olothes-horso. The ortloles had been recovered.—Fined 20b, or 14 days. No Visible Means.—Patrick Walsh was oharged with begging by the wnysido.—Prisoner denied tho charge.— D-teotive Jones had re ceived numerous complaints of ihe prisoner's habit of annoying persons. Yesterday the prisoner a_kcd the detective for 2d to make the amount of a 6d dinner.—Mons. Jolly deposed tho prisoner had called at his shop, and told him that he was a detective officer in plain clothes, and was sent by the police authorities to watch his shop. Ho did Dot "knuakle down," and prieonor wanted money.—Several witnesses de poaed that prisoner had asked them for money. —Constable White deposed that prisoner was In tho habit of taking drunken men by the orm as a friend, and endeavouring to fleece them.— Three monthe,' Imprisonment with hard labour. Prisoner oiclaimed, with astonishment, "Vat, tree months! I'm 'spcctablo man, and got a vife otOamaru."

Alleged Larceny.—Richard T. Hill was ohargod with larceny as a balllo of v theodolite, a surveyor's instrument, value £10, tho property of John Shaw on February 21.—Tho case was remanded until Friday ; bail admitted, prisoner In £100. and two sureties in £50 each.

Disorderly.—Mary Daly, a young girl, was unable to appear In answer to v charge ot drunkenness and disorderly conduct.—Sergeant Pratt stated that the girl, who was unwell, had been kindly bailed out by Mrs Hutchineon, who had taken the child to the Salvation Home. Mrs Hutchinson promised to do her best tor the girl. IL-EGAL.—John Brady was charged with illegally powning a hammer chisel, etc., value Us 6d, on the 21st inst., the property of Wm. G. Garrard. Remanded until Friday. Breach op Sheep Act.—Wm. Waters, far mer, was oharged under this .Act for permitting sheep to be infeoted with lice.—Mr Browning appeared and said Mr Waters was not aware of anything of the kind. Tho several sheep were not really his property, and It was a very trivial case.—Mr T. Knevitt deputy-inspector, confirmed Mr Browning's statement.—Fined 20b and costs.—.Andrew Austin, farmer, was charged with a like offence. —Tho charge was proved, and as defendant would not appear, a fine of 40s and coats was Imposed after tho case had been proved. A Larrikin's Trick.—David Lynoh, 17, was oharged with being drunK and very disorderly on Saturday evening. — Prisoner pleaded "ignorance."—Constable Carroll arreated the boy, who wap creating a great disturbance.— John Ross, street stall-keeper, deposed that prisoner came up to his stall, declaring himself •• Prince Imperial," and demanded a saveloy and somethinE hot in the shape of f reeh-roasted Java without chicory. To prevent any disturbance he gavo prisoner asavoloy and coffee, but when prisoner had Bwallowcd It ho demanded a repe titon of the service. Mr Robs, however, refused: he could not sail on that taok. Prisoner then sworo he would make himself at homo, and collar the lot, but Constable Carroll's active presence saved tho saveloys.—'l he Bench, in eou-iderat-oii or i.__.on.__'_ youth, ilac- him only 20s and c 0?:...

Doctors Gav_. Him Up.—" 13 it possible Mr Godfrey la up nud at wcik. ar.-J .r:irod l . <•-• simple a r.-m 05-(• •• _ ~,_i;.-., ~ IT y ;, >• ■ •■,. ",. heir. ...tirel.. 0:11 ud, _i.-d >»■:■!, -.i.-.U_ilii; .:;■■ . '.'_:_ Hop Bittere, and 0.1, u-u daj.. _■.;•"(- 'his dool-rB iravo him up :aul auiii ]__ mu.t die " " Well-a-day! U thai is bo 1 v-il\ gj this min ute and get some tor my poor George. I know [ hops aw good." Bead.

DISASTROUS CONFLAGRATION.

MESSRS ©WES AND GRAHAM'S

WAREHOUSE GUTTER

Inatii-aaoes, £13,590; Loan, Jao.coo,

One of the most disastrous fires that haß - occurred in the city for many years past c broke out shortly before eight o'clock this morning, its location being Messrs Owen f and Graham's well-known wholesale ware- ' 1 liouso, situated near fhe New Zealand In- j eurance Buildings, Queen-street. At the i limo the alarm was given there were many • people in Lower Queen-street, but for some | minutes after the pealing of tho first tocsin ] there wero no external evidences of , the work of the tiro fiend, arid it was 1 not until there was an unmistakeable J issue of smoke from tho windows of the warehouse that the seat of danger was die- , covered. Discovery of tho Firo. Tho firo was discovered by R, Barker, tho etoreman, who has been in tho employ of tho firm for upwards of fourteen years. ■ Part of his duty is to havo the ware house oponed by eight o'clock, tho salesmen and othor employes not coming to business until nine o'clock. On passing tho Queen-street front, he noticed a slight hazy vapour arising from the galvanised iron water pipes running down the fa_ade of the building. He called the attention of two pasaers-by to tho circumstance,remark ing that ho supposed it was steam caused by the heat of the sun. On opening the fiont door, however, he found that tho whole of tho department on the street level was full of smoke. Ho at onco rushed to tho corner of Queen-street and Cuptoms street and sounded tho firo alarm on tho electric tire alarm post. Tho pealing of the big firebell at the Fire Brigade station showed that the alarm had been hoard. Barker returned to tho front, and entered the building with the view of discovering the exact position of the fire. The smoko was intense, but ho fflpnd that there was no firo either on the fl*r on the street level, or on the story abovo thot. There was a roaring as if of flames from tho upper story, and here ho consequently as-iimed tho scat of the fire to be. By this tima ho was nearly suffocated with smoke, and to make his escape he opened one of the windows of the third, ttory and clamborcd out on to the front parapet. By this time tho Fire Brigade bad arrived, and Barker called out to Superintendent Hughes that thore was no firo in either the second or third story, and that it must bo up above. Progress of the Fire. Scarcely had the last notes of tho alarm diod uwoy in tho distance when the Fire 1 Brigade put in an appearance with their hose reels, ladders, and other appliances. A crowd had assembled before* the Queen street front of tho warehouse, and thither tho Brigade proceeded. Thin wreaths of smoke could be seen issuing from the i window of tho second and top stories, i and also from the spouting. It was at , first believed that tho lire was on : the first floor, and tho brigade was ; about to commence operations there ■ when Barker appeared at the window i and called out that the fire was above. While Barker was making his escape, a i ladder was placed in such a position as to roach the windows of tho top story, and r two branchmen ascended with a couple of ; leads of hose. Tho windows wero broken in, 3 and dense volumes of smoke found egress through tho apertures thus mado. Jets of water wero poured into tho building, but it was utterly impossible to tell whether or not tho direction was the proper ono. I No flame could be seen, and the whole placo appeared to be filled with smoke. This was the ptsition of affairs when Barker informed Superintendent Hughes that thoy , wero in error in supposing that the fire was \ upstairs. He had discovered in thomeantime . that it was raging in the basement. Fire ' man Harley was despatched to the rear with two leads of hoeo and a detachment of men. On proceeding to tho back of i tho building, by means of tho right of way from Customs-street, Harley found that , tho wholo of tho northern portion basement l was on firo. This was tho packing depart , mont of theeetablishment, and Vfosiillodjwith _ bales of packing cloth, boxes, and cases of . goods ready to go out. The door was , burst opcul and two streams of water ' brought to boar upon tho fire. Strango t as it appeared, there was little or no smoke in the basement, which was filled with clear bright flame. The firemen meanwhile con ' tinuod their operations at the front. It was impossible to gain an entrance to the first floor, owing to tho suffocating smoko with which tho wLolo building was filled. For half an hour tho branchmen continued to play from tho parapet. They desisted for a fow momonts whilo the Salvage Corps, under Captain Field, placoJ. tarpaulins over tho goods in the rooms beneath in order to provent them from boing damaged by tho water. Tho flames by this l timo had ascended through the roof, and at last tho roof itself gavo way. This had the effect of ventilating the upper flat, and 5 enabling tue firemen to carry their branches j through tho window. This they did, and ■ the remainder of their task was compare ■ tivoly easy, Tho horning debris was coin , plele'ly deluged with water, but so ditlicult i was the task of extinction that the men wore Btill at work at eleven o'clock. Tho r gang at work at the rear had an easier task ) to perform, tho absence of smoke seconding their efforts considerably, and enabling , them to extinguish the fire in the basement I in a very short time.

Inspection of the Building,

Shortly after the Fira Brigade were with drawn, a reporter of tho Stab, accompanied by Mr Superintendent Hughes, went through the building. The lower floors were covered with water, which, however, wasbeingprbpelled streetward with brooms. Tho staircases were veritable cataracts, and a continual shower of dripping water made the scene a very dismal one. Penetrating first to the basement storey, it was found that the fiercest portion of the fire had occurred near a window at the northern end of the portion of the warehouse front ing the right-of-way. One pane of glass in this window was bro___n, and tho frag ments of glass were lying inside the building. None of_ the glass was discoloured, which indicates that the pane was broken before the fire broke out, All the other glass in the window was cracked, and discoloured with the smoke. The fire had burned with great intensity amongst a quantity of paper and ot. e iu.bi_h, and had then travelled to the shaft of tbp hydraulic lift, by which means it had obtained access to the floors above. The ba.ement ia full of packing cloth, empty boxes, etc, and besides the goads burnt a considerable amount of damage bas been done by water to a quantity of goods already packed and ready t) bo sent out to customers. The floor above the basement stores is occupied by the Manobetter Department. The flames have injured tho goods stationed in the immediate vicinity of thg lift, and tho whole of the heavy stock is completely saturate I with wat.r, Tho nr-xt floor is the haberdashery department, and the greater p-riion of tho perishable stock Hero is completely ruined by water.

The Top Storey,

It is here that the effects of the fire are most apparent. The flat is divided into two departments by a brick parapet wall. The room on tho northern side was the reserve clothing department, and into it the shaft of the lift opened. It is diffi cult to describe the actual damage done in this room, but it is doubtful if £5 could be realised from the whole of the salvage, which lies strewn on the floor amongst heaps of charred clothing, paper and ashes. The roof is wholly denuded of slates, and the rafters are burned almost completely through, and many of them havo col lapsed altogether. The floors and walls are charred _ to a depth of more than half-an-ineh, and will all require to be replaced. The shelves were stocked with piles of trousers, coats, vests, shirts, etc., and not a singls shelf had been left untouched by the flames. The articles were almost invariably burnt at the fold, which was the portion exposed, and_ there were hundreds of trousers, for instance, in good condition, except for the important fact that they were minus a portion of the leg where they had been scorched by the flames passing over the pile. It is irnpos.iblc yet to arrive at an estimate of the damage in this depart ment, but in tho adjoining cno, which is separated from it by a small iron door, fully .£IO,OOO worth of property must, have been ruined. This latter loss would have been wholly avoided had the doer referred to bosu closed on Saturday night, Tho flames found ingress through the doorway, and then extended to the skylight, the surroundings of which are

considerably burnt. The damage in tfii. department, which is devoted to ladU,' goods is more the result of water than of hre. On ono counter alone, thore were « po_ed boxes of feathors valued at aW £l,ooo,andthe S e]are|notworth20 8a lto e e^ now. Again, on another counter were sh«™>_ njwly opened, and worth £700, and it i. doubtful now if they would 'fetch £20 Rn also with the othor goods. It was evident that the draught carriod tho flames un fn tho lift shaft, to the top storey, and it w « fortunate that there were few goods mwl ■ the shaft on tho intermediate floors or th« damage would havo been much creator As it was, the greater part of the woodwork with which the shaft was lined was bum?., out, BU Caulked Floors. This fire affords further evidence in favour of Superintendent Hughes's theory of caulked floors with down pipes on th« outside. Had the top floor of'Syre" a_d Graham s warehouse been prepared In this manner, there can be no doubt that betw«. B _ £12,000 and £15,000 loss on property damaged by water on the intermediate floors would havo been avoided. The"' pr sent b.iding regulations only affect the four external walla of a warehouse and tho sooner they are altered in this respect the bettc- will it be for the insurance com. panics and the owners of these places

The Damage. It is impossible yet to estimate the exact amount of damage, but it is believed that it will reach nearly i.'3o-OOO—fully half of which has been done by water. The building is also considerably damaged Tho northern portion is unroofed' and a portion of the southern p or ! tion. Tho rear wall of the buildine also appears to havo sustained considerable injury, and, of course, a large portion of the flooring will require to be replaced. Insurances, The following are the full insurances:— Stock—Kew Zealand, £3,0G0; Hanseatie £1,500; London and Lancaster, £1,000 • Hamburg, £1,500; Victoria, £2,000; Fiie* Association, £2,500; Union, £1 000 • Standard, £1,000; Norwich, £4000 • Northern, f 3,000; National, £3,000; Sun' £2,soo; Liverpool, London, ond Globe' £2,000; United, £1,500; South British' £2,000; Colonial, £2,000; Manchester' £1,000; Mercantile Union, £2,000 • Im'. perial, £3,000 : total, £40,500 Building- New Zealand, £2,000; Norwich Union £1,000; total, £3,000. ' '

THE WELLINGTON-MAC- GREGOR INQUIRY.

Mate of tho Wellington's Certificate Sus pended,

At 10.30 this morning Mr H. 0. Seli- Smith, R.M..delivered the judgment of the?' Court upon the inquiry into the collision'! between the steamers Wellington and; Macgregor off the island of Kawau.. The judgment was as follows:—! We are of opinion that the masters of both ; ships are free from blame, and their certifi cates will be returned. We are also of * opinion that the mate of the Macgregor fol lowed the rule of the road, and therefore is to be exonerated from blame. We think he ought to have been able to see thomasthead light of the Wellington at an earlier period than after passing the Nelson Rock, buthis 1 failing to doso in no way contributed tothe. casualty. He appears to have seen the? Wellington side lights in ample time,■and' was fully justified importing his helm. I We^ think, also, that no blame can be attaohod to the engineer of the Macgregor, and, in] our opinion, a telegraph to the engine roomi would not have given any additional assist ance in avoiding a collision. The evidence' of the witnessesfrom theMacgregor seems to usto be substantially accurate. 'We place small value upon the various estimates of 1 time given by the witnesses at the different stages of the period over which this "in- quiry extends. The difficulty of estimatiig time accurately, or even with approximate accuracy, especially when the attention is;; directed to other matters is well known,.' and sufficiently accounts for the discrep ances between the several witnesses, ''Mi appears that the Macgregor after steering. a S. J B. course towards the Nelson Book,!'. altored her course to S. £ W. on rounding: the rock, the rock being about qnarterl of a mile distant, and soon after wards to the S.SW. From this pos_> tion _ vessel steering N. or N. _ W. as the ; Wellington was, wouid show both side *■>_ lights to the Macgregor, and the-1 porting of the helm would be a pro<; per action on the part of the Mao gregor. Wo think the estimate of dis tance (about half-a-mile) given by the mates and master of tho Maogregor as the ais.v tance between the two vessels when the; order was givon to port, is more in accord;!!; anco with tho other ascertained facts of the. case than tho smaller estimate (cix or seven ships' lengths 6x1.0 - 1,080 feet - S6O or 7xlßo = 1260 feet - 420 i.e., something less than a quarter of a mile), given by the mate of the Wellington. The; effect of porting the Macgregor- helm, as! seen from the Wellington, would be ulliy mately to show the Macgregor's red lighV* though we think her red light must have boon visible to the Wellington at an earlier period, and therefore at a greater distance than is alleged by the mate of the Welling-| ton. If the mate is correct in stating that he continued to see the green light of the Macgregor until the vessels were l.Mj'; than a quarter of a mile apart, the Wellington's lights must have been visible: to the Macgregor on tho starboard boW, pr.i eke one or both of the vessels must have been considerably out of her course.; Wer see no reason, however, for rejecting the j evidence of the Macgregor that the Wel-; liugton was on her port-bo x, and therefore.. come to tho conclusion that at some tinio both of the Macgregor's lights were visible}: to the Wellington, and ultimately the red light alone, and that in all probability at a distance sufficient to avoid all danger if the Wellington had been properly Tundledy One of the Nautical Assessors has prepared a diagram shewing the relative positions of the vessels according to the different state-? ments of the witnesses, which leads, in evitably to my mind to this conclusion.. We are of opinion that the mate of the.! Wellington is substantially axurate in bisy evidence as to the order of events, via.,•;•• that he saw first the masthead-light of the . Macgregor, then the green light—whether so much on the starboard bow as # .he„ alleges Eeems doubtful; if it were 1_ points t on the bow it is difficult to see any reason,; for starboarding J point—and ultimately the red light, and that he then, or soon $ after, put his helm bard-a-starboard; but ■: we place no value upon bis estimate of time. We think starboarding his he'min the circumstances was an error on his parti * It seems to us, in fact, the one course of conduct most likely to bring about a colli^j sion. Even assuming his estimate of the-; distance between the two vessels when the Macgregorahowedher redlightto becorrect, we think a collision might have-been avoidedv, by proper precautions. Had he stopped^ the engines without altering the helm the - Macgregot might have gone across his bows.; Had he stopped and gone full speed astern - the chance of her doing so would have been materially increased. If in addition to that he had ported his helm, we think it JM almost morally certain that the ships wonjd havo gone clear. Ttte effect of starboard-..; ing, on the contrary, was that the Wei*" Hngton followed the Macgregor up when -« the latter vessel was under a port helm, and thus a collision was rendered inevitable.,: The result, therefore, is that in onr opinion tho mate of the Wellington was in aefauir': (1) in not stopping and reversing his engine; (2) in not porting instead of starboarding his helm, and fiat the collision came about solely inconsequence of his default certificate will be suspended for" three : months,

Alleged Conspiracy to Defraud the Government.

(BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCUTIOK.) • j

CHRisTcneRCH, this day., Nine late employed in the railway service .. at Lyttelton wore oharged on Saturday ■be-,.; fore the R.M. Court with conspiracy to defraud the Government. The man .*»&>, remanded till Wednesday next, a* one of, the principal conspirators had not Wen y arrested. Tho fraud is alleged to nave consisted in ono of the accused namea Thomas Howe giving the others cr| ditJ?J= ! doing work they never performed. «» exact amount of the defalcations is n0t.;... known, but it is believed to be some | hundreds of pounds. Howe was arresrea. • in Wellington. i

Allfanner-, gardeners, and fnafrg»f«f[y who do not wit to s _ek fast to *»* mW 3. .: olri-fashione. .„> ..- li1. the W«a?X'. r; proKruss leaves them far behind, shoul" w*' note of the fact that the New ZeawotJ«K{ like c .ory oilier good rural JO*n»U*&tt»fflS .'. to keep them moving along- the path Of grOSl i with credit find profit to themselvesandU"g.. . country. Send your subßCriroon,mj»^.fel months, and judge for yoUrMlveß.-B.»»"' Publisher, Star Office. Auckland.

THE AUCKLAND EVEJSING STAK MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1885.



_ ... B-* Per bunoh. bunches bananas sold at 6d to fj, 7d to st . Fowls is 5d to 2s JWi dorklngs. cochins.ls 3d to ss; langshar uinea fow i ß , 3, 9_9J.'• c ß liorns.23 3iltoZ} d: ,ts r keyß,3l 7d to to 3s ad 1 duoks, is 9d to pigoons, 9d to Is; Pigß. is -geese 3s 2d to 4s 0s Gd to 4s 4d; pumpkins, iui'd toßs3d; potato^, 2s 3d to3s; mangolds, 39 3d t) i"3l oa'jd to lid; cabbage, is is 7d; onion'Bpples, lid to 3d ; Hobart fid per sacj lis 3d por case; pears, 2Jd to 2_d; fttiolc". 5s 3io Is Id por dozen ; guayas. 2d; ' omons,, 3d; oranges, 9d; bananas, 3d; dried t.m_is. 3d; peanuts, 2d; cocoanuts, 7s por banr wheat, 2s lOd to 3s; oats, 2s 9d; maize. sadl; bran. 6s 6d; e harps. 5s Od; ohai., 2b1 64 _r sack; flour, fill to £11 10a; cheese. Sd; 'hams and bacon, (i.dlol Bid: biscuits, od to hd; confooHonery, 6_d; boiled lollies, ijd to 4Jd; uagar, 3d to 3jd; tea, box, 21s. T7.OR EYE, EAR, AND THROAT JD DIBEASES. DR. BCH WARZBACH, M.D., havinfjrec-ntly returned from Europe, may be consultod atMrs Spiora's, Albort Park. Auckland, daily from 10 to 1. Dr. S. limits his praotioo exclusively to tho treatment of Diseases of tho Eye, Ear, and Throat. ~__._ „ Former patients aro Invited to oaiu JUST PUBLISHED AT ALL TUB BOOKSELLKKS, AICKIN'S ANNUAL, A DOMESTIC MEDICAL GUtDE. AND SATISTICAL RECORD OF THB POPULATION. VITAL STATISTICS, PRODUCTION, &C. ALSO, NOTES ON HEALTH AND HYGIENE, With other Valuable Information. Pbiob One Shilling. N OTIC *. J\ R, WILK 1N S, V. R. C. 8., / CONBDLTINO AND OPKRATWQ BORGBON. at his Surgery for General Praotice and Special Practice-Eye, Ear, and Throat Diseases —Mornings and Afternoons; Bundays, 10 SO to 12 30. Consultation Fees very moderate. Dr. Wilkins spent seven years at Mooreflelds Eye Hospital, London, under Messra Bowman and Crttohott. two at Throat Hospital, London, seven years Honorary Surgeon Albert Hospital, and eight years at Eye, Ear, and Throat Infirmary Melbourne. Adjusts Speotaolos to Sight.— Consulting Rooms—Queen-street. Auokland. DR. E. D. MACKELLAR, M.D. CM-, First-class Honours University of Glasgow (Edinburgh. Paris, Hotundo Lying-in Hospital, Dublin), W HiS COMMENCED PRACTICE IN UPPER QUEEN-STREET, In the house lately ocoupied by Col. Haultaln, HOURS OF CONSULTATION: At home- 9to 10 a.m„ and 7to 8 p.m.; also, A. Aickin's, The Pharmaoy. Queen-street, tro.i 2 to I o'clock in the afternoon. TO* O T 7^ For sinolb iNBEnTiONfI of THREE-LINE " WANTED" NOTICES the charge is is Cai*. If these smell items are not paid at the time, the chargSln all cases is 2s 6d. There Is no vari ation to this rule. Stab Office. January 2nd, 1885. THIS DAY, THE NEW PREMISES WILL BE OPENED With the Bulk of tho Present Stock, together with a LARGE SHIPMENT, JUST TO HAND. EX ARAWA. OF ALL THE LATEST NOVELTIES FROM THE LONDON MARKET, MILNE AND CHOYCE. SPECIALLY CHEAP CLEARING LINES* -85 Girls' and Maids' Black and Faoey Cloth Jackets, from 3s Od, according to size. The above are under holt warehouse prioe, 23 Ladies' Black Cloth Fashionable Jackets; new this season; balance of warohouso stock purchased at a very low price; to be sold at about halt their value. 960 Pairs Girls'. Women's, and Men's Hosiery. Travellers' Samples; a great bargain; (n great variety. sio Dozen Coats's best Sewing Cotton, vrhite and block, 200 yds, is 3d doz., number? 10 to 24 only. Nice lot Wool Gpods, from Gd, Austrian RflSs, 6s 9d; worth 9s Bd. Having an over-stock of Cheap Clothing, will, previous to Stocktaking, sell at about 20 per cent, discount White Calico, 2_d yd; Grey Calico, 2d. Crewdson's Celebrated Calico, 4Jd yd; 4s 3d by the dozen. Large lot of Remnants, very cheap. Good Coloured Moleskin, la _}d yd. New Umbrellas, Fur Capes, Frillings, Ulsters. PATTERNSFREE BY POST. Freight Paid on Parcels over £2 In value. WILLIAM "i. BRIDGMAN, 288, Uppeb Queen BT, T*VO not buy Books, Stationery, or Fancy Articles for presents until you have seen FREDERICK MOUZER'S Shop Window In Victoria-street (corner of Albert-street). Every thing mar-ted in plain figures. All New, Choice, and Cheap. ALBION HOTEL, COHNER Or HOBSON AND WELLESLEY STREETS, AUCKLAND. The above Hotel is now open, under entirely now management, as a First-class Family Hotel. The comfort of Visitors to this Establishment will be made the study ot the Proprietor. Private Sitting-rooms. Special arrangements with Families. M. O. YAXLEY, PaorwEioß. j



FIRE.FIRB!! Mtjlill SALVAG E! 1 J^l-rTW^. J GAHLICK &CRANWELL'S JH 1 J[ J-^ Jjj lUARLICK & CRANWELL'S ■FIRE' ___^ctory. j_ sale of ALL THE SALVAGE STOCK Will bo held during THIS MONTH In those Premises cornor of Wellesley and Lome streets, lately ocoupied by Messrs Milno & Choyco. AT TI.-1J ATIDM^N Extensive Alterations ri, ™'. -r,;i;i,_? \ and Improvement toj ALTERATIONS OUR furniture ALTERATIONS show-rooms alterations! in the ALTERATIONS f Quoon-Btreot Premises ALTERATIONS I Now Going On. ALTERATIONS | ALTER ATI ONSy G.-..i_i__-& Chan well Wo have long contemplated altering the CITY HALL to suit our business, and as tho improvements necessitate taking down all tho plastered celling, we aro forood to reniovo one HALF of our STOCK, so havo taken for ONE MONTH ONLY that LARGE WAREHOUSE IN STONE'S BUILDINGS, WELLE3LKY-ST. EAST, lately ocoupiod by iMesars Mllno and Choyoe, where wo shall SOU the SALVAGE STOCK Of FURNITURE, And at the same time SELL OFF our Large Stock of _ • CARPETS At an IMMENSE REDUCTION FOR CASH, to raise Funds to defray Builder's Exponsos both at Factory and Queon-strcet Premises. 18 PER YARD DISCOUNT ON BRUSSELS CARPETS OVER is 0d PER YARD. 9d PER YARD DISCOUNT ON TAPESTRY CARPETS OVER 28 PER YARD. This Is equal to from 4s to 7s in the £ DISCOUNT, FOR CABH AT TIME OF PURCHASE. SALE COMMENCES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3. Qur Ordinary Business will bo carried on In the Front Portion of our QUEEN-BTREET PREMISES at our usual LOW RATES. GARLICK _. CRANWELL, HOUSE' FURNISHERS. mHE -pj EW 7EALAND pLOTHING TDIACTORY, 158 AND 160, QUEEN-STREET, CONTRACTORS TO THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERN MENT Railwatb, Post-offices, Volunteer Corps, &c, &c„ Are now prepared to enter Into Contract for the Supply ot NAVAL AND MILITARY UNIFORMS NAVAL AND MILITARY UNIFORMS NAVAL AND MILITARY UNIFORMS NAVAL AND MILITARY UNIFORMS IN ANY QUANTITY, The Organisation of the Factory being specially adapted for turning out LARGE SUPPLIES IN THE MOST INEXPENSIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS MANNER, ARMY AND NAVY CONTRACTORS. Estimates and Drawings Supplied on the Shortest Notice. HEAD OFFICES AND FACTORY DOWLING-STREET. DUNEDIN. NOTE.-MEASURES FOR ALL UNIFORMS may be entrusted to the Managers of the New Zealand Clothing Factory Branches in the following Centres, viz. :— Dunedln Nelson Palmerston N. Invercaxgill Hokltlka New Plymouth Oaniaru Greymonth Napior Waimate ' Reefton Walpawa Timaru Wellington Hastings Ashburton Masterton Gisborno 1 Christchurch Wanganul Thames Lyttelton Hawera Auckland. THE NEW GOOD 3 THE NEW GOODS THE NEW GOODS THE NEW GOODS Are now opened out FOR THE WINTER FOR THE WINTER FOR THE WINTER FOR THE WINTER. The Stock Is the largest and best selected in the olty, and to ! ,!• MEET THE TIMES MEET THE TIMEB rrnt. MEET THE TIMES THIS MEET THE TIMES NEW. Several lines In every Do- U partraent are marked at ZEALAND puces (.M-THIIVf. SPECIALLY CHEAP tliVlUlfll. SPECIALLY CHEAP bi/itadv SPECIALLY CHEAP FACTORY, SPECIALLY CHEAP. 158 & 160, •neen-streot, - The Juvenile Department has received close attention, and parents will And DURABILITY AND ECONOMY DURABILITY AND ECONOMY DURABILITY AND ECONOMY DURABILITY AND ECONOMY Combined is the leading feature. In Boys' Fanoy Butts several new and choice styles are now being shown.