COMING EVENTS.

Meetings &c., To-night.

Abbott's Opera, HonßO-"Iho Silver King, 7.15 o'clock. New Eden Hall-Mr J. Koes, Lecturo on " Paul's Desire," 7.30 o'clock. Parliamentary Union-Kobaon's Rooms, 7.30 o'clock. Waite's Hall, lit, Eden-Si-. Barnabaa's Eocial Gatliering, 7.30 o'clock. Nowmorkot Hall - Musical and Literary Entertainment, 7.30 o'clock.

Auction Sales To-morrow.

Mesjsrs Vnilo & Brad'oy-Frulr, Ornamental trees, Shrubs, etc., at 11 a.m. Mr A. 0. Stevsn, at. Hamav'a Now ton Auction Mart-Furnlturo and Poultry, l p.m.

Chief Post office, Auckland.

Kails will closo ns under :— Tnia Da?, For Thames, par Entorprlne, at 1 p.m. For Whangarei Heads, Parua, VWaipu, Whan garoi, Kanio, and Mnngapui, per Waitaki or Olenclg, at 5 p.m. Satuiiday, 20th fast. For Kati Kati, Aongatetc, Tauranga, etc., per Rotomahana, at (i.!! 0 a.m. For Thanios. »or Rutomnhana, at 7 n in. For Port Fitzroy, Tryphena, and Okupu, per lonn, at 7 a.m. For Qroymouth, via Jlanulcan, per Herald, at 7.10 a in. Fpr Wai woro, To Kapn. and Warkworth, &0., per Rose Casoy, at 10 a.tn. For Tonsil, Samoa. Tahiti, and Rarotongn, per Jannt Nicoll, at 11 a m. For Waitara and. Southern Ports, per Galrlooh, p.tlla.m. MoifDAT, 22nd inst. Cor Coromandel, perCoromandelnSt 11.30 a.m. VSi Russell. Kaki'-kawa. Herd's Pdint. Wanga roa sad Mongonui, per Clansman, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Juno 23. Fto Norfolk Island, per Aurora, at 9 a,m. Per Australia as follows :— For Navigator Islands, Sandwloh Islands. United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central nnd South Amorioa, and Btlttah and Forolgn West Indies, at 1 p.m For United Kingdom and Conthient of Europe, at 1 p.m. Money orders, 10.80 a.m. Registered letters ara nowscaper*. at 11.30 a.m. Late letters, bearing an extra foe of bJx penco In addition to the postage, will bo received by the Mail Agaat on board the Bteamer up to the tlmo at aoiUngi This moll will be duo la Louuos on Friday, July 31,1855 i N.B.—Tho Government steamer Stella will leave tho Blnfl for West Coast Sounds on or about 22nd instant. Private lettec-boxcs may now bo obtained on application at tho Money Order counter.^&o tor aix months, 10a; feo f^r twelve ruonthsTSl. ' ' M. W. KAYE, Acting Cliief Postmaster, ClUol Poat-oflloo. Auckland.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER.

AooKLiND-Thia evening, 11.5G ; tomorrow morning, — Man ukAt' Hkads- To-morrow morning, 2.3G; to-morrow afternoon, 2.J0. Kaipaha Hbads—To-morrow mornuig, 3.30; to worrow afternoon, 310,

Susbet.—This evonlng—i.lli Sunuwk.—To -morrow morning—7.l7. Moon's Agb.—ifirat Quarter, 20 th, 127 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

IAST KVENINC. Olenelij. 8.5., Johnson, from Whangarei Waitaki, s.s,, Crawford, irooi Whangarei today; Mlmiha, soli., from Russell Wellington, n. 3.. Stophemon, irom Russell Taupo, 8.5., McCdlf, from Southsrn poita

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Argyle. s.s,. AmoJoo, for Mercury Bay Clansman, s.s., i'arquhar, for Tadranga TODAY. Norval, sch., Kdwarda, for Russell Saucy Kate, sch,, Lawis, for Russell

STEAMERS TO ARRIVE.

Suva, from Southern Ports, to-morrow Coromandel, fcoia Coromandel, to-morrow, 5 p.m. Rotoniahana, from Thames, to-morroSv, 6 p.m. Argyle, from Mercury Bay. tomorrow, early dftnaman, from Tanranga, Saturday, early Wairarapa, from Mulbourno and South, Monday Rotoruft (at Onehungaj, from South, Tuesday Triumph, from Sidney, early Aoraogi, from Plymouth, via Hobart, Wednes day Australia, from Sydney, Tuesday, early Zoalandia, from San Francisco, Juno 27 Klmutaka, from Plymouth, July 9 Kaikoura, from Pljmouth, August 13 [For projeoted departures sco Ehipping ad vertisements and mail notices.]

IMPORTS.

Periißupo: 710 socks flour, 9 bloaka Btono, 223 roeia wire, 53 caeca bacon, 76 c»ate3 blaouita, and Bondrle?.

INWJMDB Coastwise.—Nellie, from WhaDga poaß, with 30,0C01t. timber; Ida, from Omaha, ■with So tons firewood. 6utwakd3 Coastwise.—Nellie, for Whanga poua: Fanny Kelly, for Morigoirat; Ida, for Matakana; Griffln, lor Russell. A sohooner inside Tiritlri Was signalled when we went to pre3s. The schooner Marmion arrived at Tiranra from Kaipara yesterday. 3he barque Carl Both, bound for Habaai, got underwolgh this morning, but subsequently dropped anchor off the North Head. The schooners Aurora and Orpheus' are both advertised for Norfolk Island and Noumea* the former to leave on Tuesday, and tho latter on Wednesday ne*t. The direct steamer A oranui left Hobart for this port at i p.m. on Thursday. She calls at Port Chalmers Heads, arid may bo expected here abtjtit Thursday evening.

Captafa G. S. Norrls ha 9 bsen appointed master of the s.b. Hora'd, in place of Cuptaln Savory whose certificate wna recently sus pandsd for three months, Mr Crawford re mains in the position Of first mate. Tho s.s. Waltaki arrived from Whangaroi last evening with the following passengers :— Messrs • Fleming Norton, J-. Suter, Futorall, Glover, Lecca, GHnirnior, Williams, HoDitoton, Fairburn, Smith, Pearson, Dndorlchoon, Levi, Anderson, Miss Fo'.fer, and Miss Baßsott. The a.B. Wellington arrived from Rusjoll early this moviing. Pasiengera :—Mr Garton, Mr, Mrs, aUd 11188 Blagrove?, and family, Mra Davison nffid 2 children, Rsv;" Wilson, Messrs Chriaton Jorvis, Bruce, Witt, Cole, Hall, Collins, and sln steerage. The Wollitfgton leaves for Whingarei at 8 this eveniDg. The brlgontine Ada C. Owon and Bchoonor Lillian arrived at Rarotonga from thl3 port about June 16th, the piFsago in each instance havingoccupiedAbout eighteen dayß. The Ada O. Owen la said to have sighted tho i3land first, but the Lillian got into, port ono hour before her, ap that the race mußt bo considered to have been a very olose one. The 8.8. Tanpo left Dnnedin June Bth, and TanrfcnKQ yesterday at 0.15 a.m., arriving hero early this morning. Had head wind and sea from Tanranga. Passengers:—J«dge Mair, Mestw Rodger, Hunter, and Dobsor, Wo are indebted to Mr J. M. Ramsden, puraor, for re port, etc. The 8.8. Glonelg returned from Whangarei last livening with tho following passengers:— Misses Galbrolth, Babe, Rowly. Mesdames Mc- Leod, Newton, Foote, Jones, MoLeod, Harrow, Bell Morris, Messrs H. Road, Suthorland, J-. Foote, Onnningham, Marshall, Oossar, Allaway. Fisher, BarnaU, O. Harrow, MorrW. MoLood and son, Wanefocd, Stecpo, and Coupland.

THE GRASMERE'S CARGO.

The barquj) Grawnere, which left London for Auckland, an March 23, brings the follow ing ostko:—Plain coUpns, £1,600; coloured cottons,' £1,200; printed cottons, £1,000; woollens an<! worsteds, £1,100; flannels, £180!. linen, in bales, £20.0; linen, in caao, £100: cotton and woollcifla, £700; ribbons, £100 ; millinery, £500; hosiery, £100: huberdnsh e»y SHOO; umbrellas, £100 ; cambric handker chiefs, £100; apparel, £1.200; carpets and rngs, £300 • counterpanes, £100; straw hats, £380; felt hats and caps. £?00; dressed leather, a>Bo • saddlery, £150; flooroloth, £120 ; tablo ■baize £120; sowing machines, £40: luci fera. filEO; rails and Kcnoral machinery, 5000 • books, £250; paper, l,sS6cwt; stationery, £380; paperhangings, £290 { upholstery, £130; iron bedsteads, £140j. tinware, £150; brußhwaro, £200 • plated and paplar maohe goods, £128 ; tdra, jB3SO; pianos, £710; clocks and watches, fiso * perfumery, £20; printing materials, SHo'' Pipes. £10; cartridges and dynamite, £50; eunbowder, 261c7i; safety fuse, £40; iron tanks/ £10; haroWaro cutlery, £1,900; bar and rod iron, 20 tons; plate iron, 2 ions; gnl- Tanised iron, 102 tons; tin plates, 210 boxes; iron nails, 32 tons; wire and wiro rope, 1 ton; zinc, 2 tons; steel, 1 ton ; linseed ofl, 3TOTKaIs.; rnpo oil, 310ga13.; kcrosine rf&a naphtha. 50gals.; varniffli, £210.; whiting, £10- paint colours, £300; Elua, Ccwt.; flint ela'S, »9Q; forelsn window glass, 199 cases; plate Elaas, 0 caees; china and earthenware, £710i'glaBS boitlea, £30; woolpaclcs, £10; bran and flour feags7£lo;canvas, £160; cordage, SS-i; Unoa and twlnss, £|2> jirtr.tes, £9i; marble, £30 ; cement, 300brls; cigarß, lEOlba; brandy in caee, -lG2oaals; biandy in bulk, afiOgals; rum, l'ofl'Jgals ; geneva, 1,460ga1s : British spirits in bulk?66ogala; ditto in case, TSOgals; white wine, 260i?als; beer in Rlasa, 45brls; prsserved Jleh, £240; sardines, £20; assorted oilmon's stores, £1430; vinegar. 880gal8; foreign Balad oil,32ogals; ce'oper and bpices, oowt; cocoa, 28owt; nuts, S3O: isinglass and gelatine, £10; muatard, £60; starch, £1CO; blue, £10; soda crystal, 5 tons; bicarb soda, 80ewt; ash and potash, 2 tons; caustic, 6 tons; silicate, 2 tons; candles, 298cwtj soap, 16owt; dates, 40cwt; currants, 1730wt: raF Bins, lOcwt; liquorice juice, 12cwt; roflncd sugar, ISiowt; treao'o, 120cwt; confectionery and ce3> a £130; apothecsr f ir ware, £200; saltpetre, 3oowt; tart acid, lOcSvi; cream tartar, 38owt; cdndonsea milk, £200; cornflour, £90; canary Beed, £30; manure, 117 tons; cotton waste, 1 ton; chain and rthchor, £10. Total value, £31,600.

KAIPARA SHIPPING.

(BY TEMOBAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Heiensville, this day. Tb Kobuhu.—Loading: Examiner, ba.ri}uo; Sea Bi-d and Annio Wilson, schooners. Ahatafu. — Discharging ballast: Schooners Louie and Lizzlo Guy. Loading: Brigantine Parnell and threo-ma&fed schooner Waltenrato. Helensvilee Sawmill. — .Loading : Fern, thToa-mastedßchooner.and Sovereign, schooner, discharging'wheat for tho flourmil], Kaipaka Heads, this day.—Arrived: Brig antiao Lizzie Guy and brigantine Peerless, from Au jkjana. Sailed: Brig Vision and brig Wild Wave, fqr ; ketch Bocamia and schooner Pelioan, tor Lj Helton. At the Heads: Loaded ; Killarnoy, barquo, (or Melbourne. Kaipaka Heads.—Arrived: Peerless brigan tine, __

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

OIBBOBNB, this day.^-Snilpd: Suva, for at 4 a,m,

6isbork:e, thia day.-Arrlved, yosterday: Government aa. Hinomoa, from Auckland, i p.m. ■» TAUB4NOA, this day.—Arrivod: Clansman, from Auck'and. 8 30 p in. L\TTKi.TON, I liis day.-Arrived: lonic, from < i Wellington, 8.30 a.m-. POHT Chalmers, yesterday.—Sailed: Wai rarapa, for tho North. Paeeongors for Auck land: fe and Mrs Pogson and 2 chilren, Messrs Glover. Poppergill (S), Master Poppergill, Messrs Mclntyro, Ruascli, and Winter. 1 Sydney Juno 18.-Sailed, this afternoon: The Paciflo -Mail Company's R.M.S t Australia, with tho outgSng Sim Francisco mail. She takes with her £3.000 spooio from thlß port^

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Stab Ofßce. Uila day. ITr At.kkfd Buokland's Report.—At tho Haymarkot on Friday, Juno 12, liobbo fodder ranged with quality from 2a 9d to la Ud tho cwt; proceed olovor hay, 4b Gd to 53 the owt j chaff, £3 to ifii i-i Gd tho ton ; mains, 3s to 3a lOd : oats, la lid to 2j 3d ; beans, Ss dd ; wheat. 2a 9d the bushel; carrots, £03 tho ton. Sevoral good riding and jumping horses wero Bold, varying in prico from iC2U to M 0; unbroken modium draught, £10 to £13; broken draught, £13 to £18 ; but inforior horaoa woro unsaleable At the hido and skin salo on Thursday, hides maintained their values. Best quality brought Hdiholb; calfskins, up to 4?d; tallow, 3*B to 2ta Gd tho cwt; pelts and skins, from lUd to •2i G;l eich. At Drury on Wednesday, tho muster o£ cattlo waa less than usual, 'lhoro was a good Inquiry for dairy cows at profit up to £710a each; grown steers dull of salo; other dc soriptions at lsuo values. At Remuera on Thurs day dairy cattlo maintained thoir late valuei ;no stoer cattle yarded. Fat cattle wero yarded ia loss than usual nitmbor, and of good quality; but prices wero lower—lßs the lOOlba being the ruling prieo obtained. Fat calves were scarce, and good prlcos obtained for those brought for ward! Sh»BP, in usual number, wore also at lower yaffles. about Is oaeh. Pi?s of (Ml olaßses sustained lato values. They wore in good do maud.

MESSRS HUNTER ANP NOLAN'S WESKLTT RE PORT.—Horses : There waa Inoreaaea vitality In the market, and foi horses of a good stamp, {here wbb ah upward tendency In prices. The number submitted by auction was not aa largn as usual. Competition waa fairly good, ana most of the lots were cleared. We quoto haokH from £5 to £U10a; )is;ht harness horses. 61 10a to £18; draught, £18103 to £25. Wool, hides and skins f liriy plentiful. Wo quote wool at Gd to Gid: hiasß,3dto3idperlb: tklng, 2ald to28lOd; tal'.ow, 21s per owt. Cattle: The market has been adequately supplied, tho demand steady; and, with the exception of cow beef, which was a shade lower in value, there was little alters tion In price. Tho Newmarket Yards, on Tues day, svera roodjrately well filled with all descrip tions. Dairy cows were well represented, andfpr Mr A. Isnacß'B stock there was brisk competi tion. Prices ranged at from £310s to .-SIS ss. Grown store steers wore woll competed for, and sold at from £1 17s Od t3 £3. An nnusuaUy largo number of fat cows woro yarded, and were lower in value, prices ranging from 17s to 19a per lOOlbs: steers, ISs to 22j. Shoop: A fair muster of West Coaat sheep were yarded at NewmarkotonToesday, but tbo weights were much lighter, consequently prlcos for wethors did not exceed 153 each. Pigs: Moderate sup ply, and brisk domand. Prices ranged from 2J4 to Id por lb live weight Mr Edward Leydon sold yo3terday in Victoria street the lease of a shop for tho sum of £23 103, 17 monUis to run, Mr Nieoll being tho purchaser. A lnrgo quantity of fruit, groceries, and house hold furnituro woro also sold at satisfactory :/pricos.

All farmers, gordenera, and fruit-growers Who do not want to stick fast in tho miro of old-fashioned ignortmco, whilo tho march of progress loaves them far behind, should take I note pf tho faot that tho New Zealand Fahmer, like every other good rural journal, is published to koop them moving along tho path of progress with credit and profit to themselves and their country. Send your subscription, Ga, for Bix months, and judge for yourselves.—H. Bbett Pabliahor, Star Ofllco, Auckland. Tho following valuable testimony to the worth of tho "N. Z. Farmer" is peculiarly valuable aa coming from tko proprietor of "Garden and Field," an agricultural paper cir culating in South Australia. Mr A. Molinoux writes:—" Your fourth number is so good that I feel sorry yon did not send over the first, eeeond, and third. Tno "N. Z. Farmer" ia a credit to agricultural journalism, and I oan honestly Bay, without the slightest desire to flatter, that it la tho best colonial Journal of the kind that I have ever had tho pleasure to read."

Births.

LUCAS.-On Juno 10, at her resldonco, Puke kbho Eist, the wife of Fredorio Lucaa of tj»in daugntew.

Deaths.

FITZE.—On Juno 17, at hor residence. Nelson street, Ellen, the beloved wife ot James HTltze, daughter of tho late Mv William Bayley. ot Macoleaflelcl, Cheshire, Hngland; aged 27 years.—Home pipers please copjr. Tho funeral will leave h»r late reoldenco to morrow (Saturday). Bt 3.1S p.m. Frionde please accept an Invitation. TIBRNANE.-Qn June 19. at Bath-stroot, Far nell. Maty Tiornano ; aged 4B years. Tho funeral will take placo to-morrow (Saturday), at 3 p.m. Friends pioaso acoopt this invitation.

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1885.

lot tha earns that laefr* «u«i»t»nce, For th» wrong; Hut ami* reiHtance, lot tin futon In ft« Catanw, And th» good that w* oaa do.

The Conservatives have succeeded in shelving Sir Stafford Northcote by the gift of a peerage, and were foolish enough to think they could accomplish the same feat with Mr Gladstone. The offer, however, has given the great Liberal leader the opportunity of re fusing from his opponents what he has scorned to take for himself when whhin his reach as Prime Minister. Mr Gladstone will, we hope, die as he has lived, an illustrious Commoner. Sir Stafford Northcote, curious to relate, began his public career as Private Secretary to Mr Gladstone during that statesman's term as President of the Board of Trade in 1843-5. He also published two works in defence of his old chief. He has had a long official experience in many offices; and, although not a brilliant genius, it re mains to be seen whether hie fair average talents, sonnd judgment, and financial and administrative knowledge have been advantageously displaced by the pretentious mediocrtty of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, or the pug nacious fft*ppaney and inexperience of Loud Randolph Churchill The new leader of the House of Commctas and Chancellor of the Exchequer is 49 years of ago, and entered Parliament in 1864. Ilis chief political experience in office was gained in Earl Beacons field's Administration, as Secretasy of State for Ireland, and subsequently as Secretary of State for the Colonies. Neither office gave room for the display of political genius, but at the Ex chequer Sir Michael will have every opportunity of showing what stuff is in him. It will not, we imagine, be counted a very strong appointment. If the Marquis of Salisbury had been abletoperstfadeMrGoschentojoinhim and to throw his party finally over board, he might have got a 'strong Minister at the Exchequer, but the un pleasant warnings Mr Goschen has already received from his present and prospective constituents have perhaps enkindled a brighter senseof party ob ligations than he has latterly displayed. Lord Randolph Churchill, the new SecretaTy of State for India, is third son of the late and a brother to the present Duke of Marlborough. He is 36 years of age, and entirely without past official record. His leap into one of the most responsible offices of the Cabinet is quits as audacious a move

as the well-known characteristics of the gentleman himself would lead us to expect. Perhaps the Marquis of Salis bury believes he can detect some of the genius of the Churchills in the hair brained Lord Randolph ; but the country has hitherto failedtoperceiveit. A six weeks' flying tour through India and a reputation for wild mis-state ment and cheek is a poor capital with which to set up business as a Cabinet Minister; and some of the older leaders of the Conservative party who have been patiently waiting for prefer ment will not be enamoured of the choice The Prime Minister's com bination of the Foreign Secretaryship with his office as head of the Cabinet is a plain intimation that foreign affairs are again to be the strong card of the British Government. The Empire will therefore watch with some uneasiness the action of the Cabinet in taking up the threads of Russian negotiation. National unity in a war against Russia would be a splendid cry to go to the elections with, and could be guaran teed to bring up a Jingo majority'—but at what fi sacrifico to the permanent in terests of the nation! The responsi bilities of office are, however, a soberer of flighty projects, and the result of the transfer of the bellicose Marquis from the independence and freedom of op position to the thraldom and dres of a Responsible Minister will not impro bably bo to materially modify his views.

Forest Conservation.

New Zealand is promised a law for the conservation of her forosts, a bill on tho Bubject having beon introduced in tho Houso of Representatives by Sir Julius Vogol. This is a right step, for tho need of proteoting the country from deforestation is urgdnt. But it may bo well to remind our legislators that it is about as hard a task to proservo forosts by Act of Parlia ment as it is to make men moral by the same agency. Japan famishes an instanco of the inutility of forefit conservation laws, unless backed by cn lightenmont andpublic spirit. An oid law coaipollcd tho peoplo to roar lacquer trees, but is not now in forco, Another law com pelled every person who cut down any kind of treo to plant two in its place. This also has becomo a dead loltor, and tho nativo papors have lately boon expressing fears that Japan will bo entirely denuded of trees. Already tho lacquer industry is in clangor of extinction through tho dis appearance of tho troo from which the varnish is obtained. Substituto kauri for lacquor.and North Now Zealand for Japan, and we shall appreciate tho danger which hangs over thi.s colony. Wo sco f urthoi' tho possibility of all legislation proving nuga tory, no matter how carefully framed. Government will no doubt at groat cost make fresh plantations; but will thoy bo abb to guard tho timber against destruction by careless or incendiary wretches? Mature forests of eplondid kauri, tho products of coiituiio3, aro yearly consumed by tire, at enormous loss to llio colony ; and it is to bo hoped (though the hope appears vain) that somo means may bo found of preventing this woful wnsto. Again, thousands of feut of immature timber aro cut annually, en tailing further loss, though apparently conferring an immediate gain Will tho now legislation touch theso causes of deforestation ? In tho very nature of things wo fear suoh is ic-possiblo, and wo thoro fore, whilo commending tho efforts of Sir Julius Vojji'l, would warn colonists not to expect too much from a Forest Consorvution Act. Professor Kirk has just completed a tour of thU part of tho colony, and will report to Government on means to bo taken for tho conservation of timber trees. He has had an opportunity of seeing tho pro cess of destruction so rapidly going on ; it is to bo hoped ho will be ablo t\i suggest an effootivo remedy.

Chaiubors's celebrated sowing machine*. SO, Qaeen-atroet

Our weohly markot prico list will bopub liahod to-morrow. Butter continues at previous quotations, viz., Is 3d por lb, wholesnlo, and Is (3d per lb. retail, while . aggahavo fallen, and aro now worth Is Od por dozen wholesale, and la Sid per dozen retail. Southorn (lour wo quote from iS IDs ,to £'J, and Southorn bran from £4 los to JL'5. Jjacon find hams, new euro, aro worth Wholesale, as follows: Bucon only, S^d; baoon and hams in equal numbers, SAd ; hama only, lOd, These- comprieo tlio principal alterations from last week's prices. The gum markot is hardening, and prices have an upward tendency.

Wo regret to hoar that Mr David Mur doch, Secretary of tho Union, Sash, nnd Door Company, is so dangerously ill that tho medical gontlcmon in attendance—Urs. Philaon and-Stockwoll—have given up nil hope of his recovery. Tho complaint is pronounced to bo inflammation and ttop page of tho bowols. JVlr Murdoch has boon confined to bed for tho last tea days. The Customs duties at this port to-day include £14,000 paid by tho New Zealand Sugar Comp-xnytin" tho sugar forwarded to southern ports per Manapouri, and referred to in our last issno. Major-General Scratchlay is a paseongev for Now Zealand by tho mail steamer Aus tralia, which loft Sydnoy for San Francieco, via Auckland, yesterday. Tho Australia is tho boaror of £C,OOO in specie from Sydney. Tho Aesistant Survoyor-Gonoral is to mako a survey of tho Alarcretu Block, Paparoa, wffih a view to its salo at an early date. At tho meeting of tho'Crown Lands Board yesterday, a letter was received from tho Sooretary of tho Marino Department asking what would bo considered a fair rental for lease of portion of basin roservo at Onohunga. Tho Board decided to ofi'or it for loaso at a rental of £5 per annum from year to year.

Gunner Colo, of tho "A" Battery of Artillory, mot with a painful accidont last evening. Ho was assisting to movo a limber carriage, when ho was struck in tho pit of the stomach by ono of tho shafts, and ren dered sonselo33. Dr. Tounent, staff-surgeon, attended to him. We aro requested to romind all exhibitors at tho Now Zealand Industrial Exhibition that their exhibits havo to bo in Wellington on or before Juno 30. Forwarding labels can bo had on application to tho local Seoretafy. A cabman namod William Faulkner was standiug talking to a friond at tho National Bank, corner yestorday aftornoon, whon 'two larrikins ran suddonly round tho cornor and collided with him. Ho foil und dislocated his anklp, and Constablo Keanoy drovo him to tho Honpital.

At a mooting of gentlemen yestorday afternoon, it was agreed that a lodge of Mutual Imps bo formed for tho promotion of a knowlcdgo of literaturo, muaic, and tho drama. A strong committee was appointed, and Mr P. Gorald olocted Secretary and Treasurer. Tho mcotings are to bo hold at Mr Wifchoford'a Chambers, Shortland stroet. Tho following footfeall matches Jiavo been arranged for to-morrow :—Senior Clubs : Newton v. North Shoro, Ponsonby v. Albert, Grafton v. Auckland. Junior matches : Auckland v, Manukau (One hunga), Athletic v. Arawa (Metropolitan), Albert v. Homo Bay (Homo Bay), Newton v. Ponsonby (Domain), Gordon v. Victoria (Nortli Shore), Grafton v. Waitomata (Domain),

Tho Auckland Amateur Operatic C!ub last night had a rehearsal of tho Sorcerer, which is to bo produced at tho Opera Ilouso tho first week in August. Tho orchestra numbered twenty pcrtormerp, mid the chorus forty Bingors. if err Carl Schmiti conducted the cas!e is as follows: — Aline, Mrs Kilgour; Constance, Miss Stephenson; Lady Sangazuro, Mias Gribblo; Mr Partlot (not allotted); Aloxis, Mr Banna; Dr. Daly, Mr P. Dufaur; Sir Marinaduko, Mr Edmiston; Notary, Mr Charters; John Wellington Wells, Mi- Taylor. A successful production may be anticipated.

Farmers, contractor?, and others having the care of cattle and horses should note the introduction of Pottic's celebrated horse and cattle medicines to the colony as an important event, Mr Pottio, who has long hold an important Government post in New South Wales, is an eminent authority on di?e?ses of animate and their treatment, and his modicinns havo an immense ealo in tho Australian colonies. The lemcdics aro about as numerous as the diseases, and ought to prove of vast benefit. Messrs H. H. Hayr and Co., High-street, Auckland, have been appointed sole agents for these medicines for Auckland,-Gisborne, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wanganui,

Thoro is no change to roport tn the stock market i prices aro firm, but with few transactions. Sellers, as a rule, are hold ing for higher rates. Karangahake sharos are fetilt inquired for. Cambria and Golden Crown pi ices aro unchanged from yesterday. Gas sharos aro much wanted, and most of ourlnsurance shares find buyers at irapro.vcd rittos. Auckland Timber Company's shares aro wanted at £4 H?, and Union Sash and Door Company's Shares at .Cl 103.

Tho conditions for tho wrestling match botween Goorgo Oraham, of America, and John ltoany, of Dunodin, provide for two falls catch-as-catchcan, and ono fall Cum borland style. Tho stakoa aro £30 a-eide, and the iirat doposit of £15 oach has already boon mudo. Tho next doposit will bo made on J uno iMfch, and tho match will eventuate in tho Theatre Royal on tho following ovening. Tho progrannno on tho occasion will includo sov<iral athletic exhibitions by local talent, and- a numbor of pongs to vary tho proceedings. Kcany is tho larger man of tho two, and weighs throo stone inoro than his opponent. Mr McNeil, tobacco nist, Queon-stroot, is stake-holder; Mr Georgo Lockwood backer for llcany, and Mr Georgo Hart for Graham.

At an adjourned meeting of tho Morcan tino Marine Association, hold last evening (Mr M. iNiccol presiding), tho following ollicovs wore oloctod :—President, MrG. W. Owon ; A'ico-l'rosidcntsi, Captains 11. F. Anderson and P. IT. McKonzio ; Treasurer, Mr I). Oxloy ; Secretary, Mr G. Yon dor lloydo ; Auditors, Messrs E. Way mouth and M. Niocol; Committco, Captains A. McGregor, 11. Elliott, J, Neariug, J. McKonzie, A. Farquhar, H. Wilson, \V. L, Cromarty, W. P. Harpfl-avcs, J. Robinson, Messrs L. Coupland, Thwaites, Mi. Niccol, E. Waymouth, and Ellis. Sub-committees wore appointed to arrange a meeting-room and tho purchase of a bookcase. A vote of thanks to tho Chairman terminated the mooting.

About a week henco Mr R. Logan, of tho North Shore, will launch a now yacht about 7-J tons measurement, and in many respects resembling tho Taworo, for Mr Jumes Wil liamson, of Auckland. The dimensions of tho yacht are 32ft on tho wator-line, Bft beam, and Oft depth of hold. She should prove a handfiomo addition to tho present ileot.

His Lordship Bishop Cowio ro-doliverod his excollont lecturo on " The Presont Diffi culties of Great Britain in Afghanistan and India." Tho lecture was given in St. Stephen's Nativo School, in connection «ith St. Mary's Mutual Improvement Society. Tho mooting was small, but thoso present had tho gratification of listening to a really good locturo, and gathering knowlodgo from tho Bishop's porsonal oxperionces. Tho locturor, as on tho previous occasion in tho Young Mon's Kooms, described the geographical position of Afghanistan, its physical foatures, and oxtremes of climato, going somowhat minutely into tho questions which liavo been froely di^cusdod in every civilised part of tho world. A voto of thanks to llit< Lordship was tendered by tho Chairman on behalf of tho Socioty.

Messrs liicimnlson and Jackson oiFerod a farm to-day, consisting of 3'-li acres, but tlio bidding did not roach tlie reserve, and it was pa^ed. A large selection of fruit and ornamental trees from tlio I'arneU Xurserk's brought fair prices. Apple tsi'ees (Karl Kivers), Oil. to Is. Id. Lippiatt's and other apple trees realised Oil. to Sd, Tlio popular fallacy which credits " tho sons of tho mild sod " with tho commission of nil tho " bulls" extant often receives practical demonstration. At tho meeting of the City Council last night tho Anglo- Saxon intellect of ono worthy Councillor ovolvcd in all innoconcy of jmrposon "bull" of tho purest character and amplest pro portions, but it is still a moot point whethor ho saw it. Speaking of eorao municipal action, ho wound up his pregnant deliver nnco thereon with tho oracular assurance — " It. is only another illustration, gentlemen, of tho fact that tlio loss :>f « drop of blood will not hurt a man, but still if you bleed him to death ho U pretty sure to dio." This unanswerable logic convinced tho Coun cillors, but tlioir levity of mind prompted i!om to respond with a t>hout of laughter. In our report of Mr Napior'a motion for a writ of /mieu-i corpun yostorday, Mr .lustieo GllioH, by a typographical omiß slon, wa.s ms.do to say that n;i irregulurity in tho making of certain affidavits " nrose from our practice of tho ftunio prisoner bei:i'^ solicitor and barrister as well." Tho words cowitvl for were dropped out after' " piaetieo of." Tho Parliamentary Union llouso of Ke- I>rotjentativo!l will bu opened by Commission at half past seven to night, at Kobson'n Rooms, Quebu-streot. After tho formal business of electing the Speaker and tender ing tho usual cougiatulations to him, Hie House will ai'joiirn tilj4^[pjidny night, when Kir Frederick WhitalW is to deliver tho (ipvernor's tjjcoch. At a Oabinod mooting yesterday ihodraftof thisspooch was under consideration, and caro has been taken that it shall not prove unfruitful of discussion. It was resolved to nominate Mr P, A. Philips for the Speakershin. ,

Tlio loopholes for ovading tho law against Sunday trafiic >n strong drink aro many, and Uio legal points raised by such evasions avo frequently puzzling. At Wellington, yesterday, snoh an enigma piosontod itaolf when tlio proprietor of tho Oxford Hotol was chargo;:! with Sunday trading. The witnesses eworo tlioy had boon invited to drink with tho barman, and it w\3 cou tended there was no evidence to show thoro had bean illogal ealo. Tho barman had tho right to consumo liquor hlmaolf on Sunday, nnd therefore ho hod tho right to treat friends. Tlio magistrate failed to eco tho force of tho arguments, and convicted thu defondarit, but hoped tho oaso would go bjforo tho Appeal Court, as tho decision of tho higher Court was much wanted on this pud other kindred points. It is probable an appeal will bo lodged.

Tho following tenders for tho construc tion nnd metalling of tho Comotaty Road, Wnikomiti, and inotalling a part of tho Groat North ltoad, wero opened by tho Finance Committee) of tho Waftemata Council this afternoon : —Paton and Hoye, £500 ; Lovcti; and Invin, £.jf>!); Porter and Bishop, £53ii; Sinclair ani Welsh, £529 17h : Kowland Hill, junr., £525; J. BailHo, £500; John O'Donoglmo, £179 6s. Tho last tender was aceopted. The Engineer's estimate was £519.

Two dofended cases wore hoawl at tho Resident Magistrate's Court after wo went to press yestorday. J. Mulverhill claimed £3 from D. Bourko for damago to fenco by removal, and injury to his houso by placing lumbor and rubbish against it. Mr T. Cottor appeared for plaintiff, and Mr F. Earl for dofondant. After hearing ovi donce, His Worship expressed tho opinion that tho wliolo thing was a neighbours' quarrel, and gavo judgment for plaintiff for fip, each party to pay their own coats. In tho second cas'O, J. B. Martin claimed £4 10s from B, Norton, forbalancoonpurciiaeG of n horso and bridlo. Mr Forwood ap peared for plaintiff, aud Mr Brookfiold for defendant. 'Iho plaintiff was nonsuited on tho plea of infancy put in by defendant. Cost* amounting to 23s Od were allowed.

Tho third annual mooting of tho Dovon port Band of Hopo was hold in tho Devon port Hall lasi; evening, Mr Cox occupying tho cbair. Tho report was of a satisfactory charactor, and tho statemont of accounts jihowccl a credit balance of £3 17s. Officers Tor tho onfciiitig year woro olocted as fol lows : -Presidont, Rev. Mr Parsonson ; Vico-Pcaidont, Mr A. Cdx ; Secretary nnd Treasurer, Mr Yv*. Lander; Rogistrar, Mr A. Taniipld; Assistant Registrar, Mr 11. Bend'oreo'n Miss Tan/ield ; Sing ing Conductor, Mr 'J. G. Hondorson; assistant dittoj Mr J. Spraggon. Art |h torostingprogrammo was aleo gone through. A well - trained clfoir of children gave several suitable fclections of music, whilo soiiga woro contributed by tho Misses Mar son and Guest, Mrs Clark, and Mr Tichbon; rcoifaliong by Alfred Tanfie'.d, Myra Tan fiold, Arthur Ford, Phicbo Patrick, and Sydney Guest;: dialogues by Messrs Edson and Porter and tho Misses Guest. Pro ceeding:; closed with flic boneriiction.

A City Councillor of t!io cold-wator por suasion found opportunity lust night to clear away sorno prevalent misconcoptrion as to tho prico of a leading temperance bovor ago. The opportunityipro3ented itself quite fortuitously, and on th&principlo of "never lotting your chances like sunbeams pass you by," tho Blue Ribbon apostlo frantically rushed in, nnd broath lessly took up thq parable A letter had been received extolling tho virtues of liar don's tiro extinction gren.idce, and Cr. Aickin was contrasting tho high prico of the extinguishing fluid with tho cheapness of its ingredients. " ItisprettywollTinown, J he said, "that it is only carbonic acid gas in combination, end therefore must be very liko ooda-'vater. Consequently the idea of charging at tho rate of 3e 9d a bottle for it U propo3terouß,when a bottla of soda water 'only costs sixpence," This fetched Cr, Waymouth at once, and leaping to Iv'b feet he ejaculated, " Sixpence do you gay ? Twopence, sir, twopence, and one penny wholesale." The civic fathers aro evidently not much addicted to the use of soda-water, for tho news transported them with astonishment, nnd while they were still lost in wonderj-a few gilded up thoir loins, and struck a bee lino for the refreshment room, Ito discuss tho point at greater leisure, ,

A most interesting and instructive lec ture on India was delivered last night at St. Luke's Church, Romuera, by Colonel Carnegy. Tho proceedings were opened by singing and prayer, after which the chair- < man, J. McCosh Clark, Esq., in a neat speech, introduced to the audience Colonel Carnegy. The lecturer divided his remarks into two parts,-namely, tho Mahommedans and the Hindoos, and pointed out in a clear and attractive manner the various sooial, political, and religious habits of tha two races. He spoke m the highest terms of the present educational system of India, and expressed an opinion that this, to gether with the railways and other modern improvements were gradually breaking down the pride of caste which had formed ouch a hindrance to the progress of India. He also stated that, although Christianity had made littlo or no progress amongst the Mahommcdans and Brahmins, a largo number of tho Hindoos have been converted to Christianity. In closing his lecture, Colonel Carnegy said it had frequently been remarked that India was the brightest gem in tho Crown of England; but his visit to tho Australasian colonies and his residence in New Zealand had convinced him there was no brighter jewel in the Crown of Eng land than tho colonies of Australasia, and certainly tho sterling loyalty of these colonies displayed the wonderful unity and strength of tho British Empire. On the motion of the Rev. G. B. Monro, a hoarty vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to Colonel Cai-negy for liis able aad elo quent lecture, and also to tho chairman for presiding. A hymn wan then sting, and the meeting closed with tha bsriadiofion.

To Ttfß BniTffii.—Will you kindly give plaoe iv your much valued columns for a few remarkß re collisions. Two obboj hay« taken placo in onv waters a few weeka bask —" Herald " and " Gairloah "in tho Manu kau Harbour, and "Wellington" and "MacGregor" off tho Kawau. Tho first enquiry held was AWlington and MacGre gor. Those two vessels had miles of ocean to keep clear of each other. I find tho decision of the Court very mild, considering the very narrow eacdpc passengers and crew ron of losing their lives. Now for the Herald and Gairloch collisions. Two vessels in a narrow channel with the chance of loss of life reduced to a minimum. Now I ask can the public look at the decision given in these two instances, and not feel that great in justice has boon dono to Captain Savory, No one on board the damaged vessel can deny that ho was doing his utmost to divert a collision, whatever his position may have been. Now I ask is it not hard that Captain Savory should have the disgrace of three months' suspension of his certificate and all tho expenses to pay. Looking at the two cases ono cannot help feeling that this Is hardly pure jastico given by nautical men ; and all, oxcopting those interested in the Gaiiloeh, must fuel that great miscarriage of justice lias occurred, in tho Herald's case. —Yours, oto., Master Mabinek.

Tho handsome now bul'dings in Victoria ntreot hitborto known as the " Observer" Offices huvu been leased by Messrs I'enton and Co., who intend to commence tho business of ship ping and family butohora without delay. Mr tVnton has had largo experience in the trade, and for tho lust sixteen y*ars has iltlod tho posi tion of foreman for Mr Fishor, and manager of tho shop for the Frozen Moat Company after Mr Fishery retlromant. Customers may there fore depend on evory attention being paid to thoir wants. Iho new firm will supply goods to any part of tho city and BUburbs.

"The lady vocalists and membors of tho Kingsiand etring band who have consented to Uko part in tho Grafton annual concert on Thursday evening bad a capital rehearsal last ovonhiK. A musical and literary entertainment will bo given in tho Nowraarkot Hall to-nitfht, in aid of tho Newmarket Wcsleyan Church. A social gathering given by the St. Barnabas peoplo will tako placo thin evening at Wuito'u Mount Kdou Hall, commencing at 7.30, at vylilch music, addresses, and readings by Mr Houfc, tho oolobrated elocutionist, will bo given. Kofi oshinents will bo provided during the ovening.

Tho final rehearsal of "Harold Olyndo" was hold in tho Ccok-street Meeting Honeo on Wednesday avoning, when thoro was an exool lout muttorof choir and orchestra. This ploce was produced in tho Choral Hall in March last, and was so much admired for its boautifnl munis that arrangoineLts have boen mado to repeat it In v moio woaterly direction, and on Tuesday next it will bo produced in St. Jamos's Hall. It Uoe'rtninly thobosiinuticul production by this oholr, a?d under tho eonducforsblp of Mr K. Tmlehope, a Buccosefnl repetlion lsox pccloil. Tho frionda who so mnoh admired the chcir and its lcador at Mr Hooilj'd mission should iKitaiiiuollumon Tuesday next in A. Jamoß's Hull.

Peoplo lacking common sense avoid oon enlttnif tho newspapere, and tho conacqnonco Is they too frequently p»y a big price (or necessar ies of dally lifu, through staoer Ignorauco as to what la avoSlablo for llttlo money. The old cay- Idk—l^ot ytrar oyos bo your ludgo, your pookota your K'l'no. and ready money the last tbfng you part with, unless you not good value for it. Dor vsluo fflr ready money is—Prime Doublo Perfec tion Freeh Buttor. la ; Salt BUttor, dd ; OSnter bury Hiioon (guaraniood), 8d ; other sorts, from Id ; tho best Faotory Olioese. fid i other dalrloa, ■lil; and 1,000 ltuoa in Grocorlca must be sold chaapur Mian anywhere In town, at Baton's Co operatlvo Stores, llobsonstreet.—[Advt.]

TABLE TALK.

Tonr Cabinet forminpr. Cambridgo wants a water supply. Mow to make a slow horse last—Don't feed him. Hard steel is CO per cent. stronger than iron. " The Silver King " will Boon bo with drawn. Tbo Imperial Government refuge to enter tain the proposal to annex Fiji to Now Zea land. A new Unitarian church, to coat £5,000, is to be built in Melbourne Napier Town Council has passed a by-law against Salvation Army procession*. The main hall of the Exhibition building at Wellington has been finished. Duncdin Manufacturers' Association op pose the proposal to limit the working hours of females to eight daily. An auction of highdoss merino stud sheep takes place at Napier on Monday noxt. They were bred in Tasmania by Mr Weston. Tobacco is the best crop in North Caro lina. There are numerous instances of it yiolding over £109 on acre. Dunedin Chamber of Commerce is con sidering the question of exhibiting products at the Colonial Exhibition in London. " Do yon drink ?" said a zealous tomper anoo reformer to a Queonstroot loafer the other day. " Yen, thank you, sir," re turned the candid pauper, " Where shall wo go 5" Tho additions to the works of the Belfast Freezing Company, near Christchurch, will be completed about the end of November, and comprise storage accommodation for 5,000 raoro sheep. The killjng and freezing capacity of the works will be raised from 425 snoop por diem to 650. Sir Julius Vogel has promised to give an lnvercargill delegate a free passage by the Jonofc Nicoll on her next Island trip, and will tiy to get Bluff made a port of call. Tho Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at Christohurch have deolded to hold a show of " children's pets." There should bo a large collection of grand* fathers.

Kawakawa is about to lose the services of Mr A. VV. Mann (postmaster for 8 years), who has boon appointed to the charge of Post and Tolegraph Office, Temuka, Can terbury. He will receive a presentation before leaving at the end of Juno.

The "Northern Luminary," comparing tho cost and rovonuo of tho liawakawa and Whangarei lines of railways, finds that the Kawakawa line has paid at the rate of £4 4s BJd, or nearly 4 J per oent. per annum as interest on cost of construction, and the Whangarei lino has during the same period paid 28 3Jd, or nearly "one-ninth" par cent.

There are about 5,000,000 colonies of bees in. the United States, which annually yield about 120,000,000 pounds of honey. Mr Vincent Pyko has cot his song " The Old Flag " printed in jfoljd on Batin, and is sending copies to tho Qneen, the Prince of Wnles, and'the Duka of Edinburgh.

Napier folks mean to make a big thing of tho Fire Brigade demonstration to take placo thoro next January. V&'.uabl* priz3B will bo offored, amounting in the aggregato to over £500. Tho Liconsod Victuallers give a 50 guinea piece of plate and a hand some money prize.

Remember This.

If you are sick Hop Bitters will sanely aid na'tur,o in making you well when all elso fails. If you are oostivfl or dyspejptio, or are auffei- Ing from any o|h6r of the numerous dleeasos of ftio stomach or bowels, it is your own fault if rou remain ill, for Hop Bittora ia a sovereign remedy in alLsuch complaints.

If you aro wasting away with any form of Kidney disease stop tempting Death this moment, and turn for a cure to Hop Blttora. It you tfre Norvouß use Hop Bitters. It j(pu are a frequenter, orareaidontofamlag maUOiistrloN barricade your system againßt tboicourge of all countries—malarial, epidemic, billons, and intermittent fevers—by the use of American Co.'s Hop Bitters. If you have rougb, pimply, orßallow skin, bad breath, pains and aohen, and feel miserable generally. Hop Bitters wljl give you fair skin, rich bipod, and sweetoat breath, and health. That "poor, bedriddon, invalid, wife., gister, mother, or daughter, ccm be made the picture Of health, by American Co.'a Hop Bittern, cost ing bat a trifle. Will you loLthora snffor 1 In short they .cure all Diseases 6t the Stomach, Bowels, Blood>il4yer,lWer yes. Kidneys, Bright); Disease. &500'wfll be ntrfdforacasethgr wjfl hotud* Bbun ftU otboro m vuS, pououous itu&

CABLEGRAMS.

(BY CABLE.-COPYEIGHT.)

MR GLADSTONE AND THE PEERAGE.

He Declines an Earldom,

London, June 17. —Mr Gladstone has been offered an Earldom, but has declined I the offer. Return of the Queen to Windsor. Her Majesty the Qucon returned today i to Windsor Castle, from Balmoral. Close of a Gigantic Strike. Tho strike at Pittsburg hns ended, the employers having agreed to the demands of the men, and in consequence all those out have resumed work. Spread of Cholera in Spain. Cholora is spreading in Muroia, and its is estimated that fully thirty thousand of the inhabitants have left that province.

AUSTRALIAN.

Close of tho Drought in Now South Wales.

Sydney, this day.—The rains which have recently fallen are proving continuous. A heavy downfall took placo yesterday. It is hoped scarcity of water is now averted.

NEW TORY MINISTRY.

TRIUMPH OF THE " FOURTH PARTY."

Sir Stafford Northoote Mado a Peer.

London, Juno 17. It is announced that in the new Cabinet, the Marquis of Salisbury will be Secretary, of State for the Foreign Department; Lord Randolph Churchill, Secretary of State for India ; and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach will be Chancellor of the Exchequer,and leader in tho House of Commons. Lord Randolph Churchill and the Marquis of Salisbury have held a conferenco with regard to the points of divergence between them, with the result that thoir differences have been moved. Sir Stafford Northcote has been offered, and acoepted, a seat in the House of Lords.

THE AORANGI AT HOBART.

A cablegram received by Mr J. Batger, local agent for the New Zealand Shipping Company, states that the direct steamer Aoranga arrived at Hobart, from Plj mouth, at 8 a.m. on Thursday, and left again for Auckland at 4 p.m. tho same day. The Aorangi is to call, en route, for this port, off Port Chalmers Heads, for tno purpose of landing mails. She will probably ariive thore on Monday afternoon, resume her voyage very shortly aftorwards, and may bo expected here about Thursday evening. The Aorangi's voyage from Ply mouth to Hobart occupied about 40 days, including stoppage.

Favouritism with the Govern ment Insurance Funds.

(BY TELEGRAPH—PaRLIiMK!fTABV 11EP0RTBM.!

Wellinoton, thra day. In ordoi: to show tho necessity for tho ap pointment of Local Boards in connection with tho Government Insurance Depart inonfc, It has been mentioned to mo that in Otago there is a local industry in which a cum ef upwards of £22,000 has been spent on land and in the erection of buildings and machinery, and as showing tho value of the property, it may bo mentioned that a branch bank in tho placs has allowed the institu tion in question an overdraft of £15,000. Tho Board of Direotors wished to chango their security to the Government Insurance Department, where the rate of interest is much lower, and tho Government instructed Mr Calcntt, Government Assessor, to value the property. He reported, assessing its value at £22,000, but the Wellington Board then refused to advance the £10,000 asked for on the ground that if the industry dis continued to be a {laying concern its worth would depreciate, although at the very same meeting a sum of £50,000 was advanced to tho Corporation cf the Borough of Palmers ton North.

AMALGAMATION OF STEAM SHIP COMPANIES.

(BY TELEGRAPH—J'AKSS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, thra day. The Union S.S. Company and Captain Williams, owner of tho Black Diamond line of eteamors, aro negotiating for a fusion of interests with iho view of terminating tho present competition between the running of tho two services. Preliminaries have been adjusted which will probably culminate in the Black Diamond line working under the auspices of the Union Company. Captain Williams retains the superintendence of the Black Diamond steamers, the coal basinets here, and tho Koranui mine at Westport. Wellington is to be the head< quarters of the latter line, and small steamers flying under tha Union Company's flag will probably contie hero also,

FIJI ANNEXATION.

Tho Imperial Government Kofuso Assent.

{by telegraph—parliamentary RE PORTER. )"

Wellington, this day. Correspondence relating to the desire of Fiji residents fer tho annexation of that colony to New Zealand was laid on the table to-day. The first is a letter from Mr Pritchard, Secretary to tho Annexation Committee, to Mr Stout, stating the reasons of the people of Fiji for desiring annexation, and sotting forth the advantages that would come to New Zealand from adopting this course. The writer enclosed a report of a meeting held at Levuka, where annexation resolutions wore carried. Mr Stout, on receipt of this letter, cabled to tho Agent- General as follows: — " Great desire Fiji to annex to N«w Zealand.. Ascertain view Colonial Office, H we are disposed to ; entertain." The Agent General replied : — " Government would not entertain the pro posal at present." Mr Stout then wrote to ilr Pritchard forwarding copies of the cables, and adding that Ministers regretted the matter would nofc' at present be con sidored.

Manufacturers and Employment of Females Act.

(BY TBLBOEAPH.—PARLIAMENTARY

RBPOBTER )

Wellington, this day. From tho accompanying correspondence, it will be eeen that the President of the O.tago Manufacturers' Association, who is also a prominent Dunodin manufacturer, has been using his beat endeavours to induce Mr Bradshaw to withdraw hia Factory Amendment Act. The provision to which objeotion is taken was that regulating the number of hours in winch it shall be lawful to work boys. The member for Dunedin Central refused to bo placod in the position of a delegato, atd resented the attempted interference with his proposed bill. The correspondence, which speaks for itself, has been handed me for publication:— "Dunedin, June 18.—To J. B. Bradshaw, Esq.: Sir,—Strong feeling amongst manu facturers and employers against your pro posed Factories Act Amendment Bill. .Re presenting a manufacturing constituency, you should consult before attempting to act, Circulars posted.—Alex. Bukt." To this the following reply was sent: —" Tho Factory Bill introduced by me is necessary to amend defects in the existing Act, and I ■will do my utmost to havo it carried."

Fire at Lobne-street.— The Chairs and Furniture rescued from the fire ut our footer? together with our extensive Btocfc of Carpets are now offered to the public at Clearing Sale Prices at our temporary premises in Welieeley street Hast. BißOOunt on Catnetsfrom ft to Ts inthe«.~6arH<fcandCranweß.

MR STOUT'S EDUCATIONAL REFORMS.

THE REVISED STANDARDS,

Tho Syllabus for Standard Ex-

aminations,

(liV TELIiGRAni— OWN REPOBTEK )

VV^ellinoion, this day. Mr Stout feels a pedagogic prido in his syllabus of subjects for Standard examina tions. He writesthusly in tho "Education Journal" respecting the report:—" Under the old programme tho subjcots of examina tion fell into two divisions, theflrst consisting of subjects in which any pupil must satisfy the Inspector in order to pasn the standard; the other consisting of subjects respecting which tfie Inspector waa to inquire, and, if necessary, to cejiort as to the kind and amount of instruction given in several classes. It has become usual to distinguish two groups of subjocts aa " pass subjects " and "class subjects." The usage is not a bad one, but it involves some danger of misunderstanding. Thus it appears to have been so misunderstood ; because a subject had come to be called a "pass" subject, the Inspector was not at liberty to ascertain individual proficiency by class examinations ; and again in making com parisons between class subjects in the sense here referred to and class subjects in the eonse of the English code,it seems to have been forgotten that in England the class subject is one on account of which a apeoial grant of money may be earned by the school, In the new syliabua the usage which distinguishes "pass" and "class" subjects is adopted, and receives authori tative definition. "Class subject" is denned. Experience has shown that where the Inspector is only directed to inquire, and, if necessary, to report upen a subject, such subject finds place in the time-tables of very few schools. In the new programme the work is arranged in three divisions : The pass subjects, from which history and part of geography are excluded, and " class" subjects, in cluding history and geography, ex cluded from "pass" subjects, and including also the more important of what have generally been called " class " subjects and additional subjects, including subjects which email schools will not be re quired to undertake. Drawing is to be a Eass subject, but for the first year it will c only a class subject for standards above the first. Next year it will be a pass sub ject in the first two standards, and bo on until in six yeara it is required for pass in every standard.

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.

An accident of a most serious nature hap pened at tho New Zealand Insurance Com pany's new buildings this afternoon. A car penter, a Dutchman, named Potersen, was working away at the building, when suddenly a large piece of board fell upon him from the workings overhead. This ptoco came with terrific force, and struck tho poor fellow right on the side of tho head, immediately above the forehead, cutting him to the skull aud laying open a gaping wound. Most fortunately Dr. Eraon, of Otahuhu, was close by, and ran to the man's help,' and tied up the head with a handker chief. He was in a weak state. The doctor considered tho injuries very serious ; he bolievod the ekull was fractured. Upon Dr. Erson'a advice, the man was taken to tho Hospital.

THE MACGREGOR.

The steamer Macgregor still lies on the Kawau bench. Tho Wellington which was expected to call there on her way from Russell, arrived here this morning with out having dono co. This was owing to unfavourablo weather which pre vailed throughout the voyage. Off Kawau it was co ha»y that the island could not be seen, and Captain Stephenson deemed it advisable to come on to Auckland with his passengers and cargo. Tho Macgrogor Coming In. Late this afternoon a steamer "tow ing " inside Tiritiri was i-ignalled from Mount Victoria, co that the Macgrogor has [evidently been floated off, and is coining up in tow of tho s.b. Staffs. She will probably arrive about 8 o'clock to night.

SILVER- IN THAMES MINERAL VEINS.

(by teleokapii—ewN correspondent.)

Thames, this day. Tiie gold, or more correctly the alloy resulting from tho Woodstock Company's crushing, was found to oontain 75 per cent, of silver, and tho value is consequently reduced to £1 per ounce. Tho larga proportion of silver In the lode augurs well for tho success of the smelting process shortly to bo adopted.

THE LICENSING ACT.

Mooting of Brewers and Others. A meeting of bre^vers, merchants, and others interested in the working of the Licensing Aot was held in the large room of the N.Z. Insurance Buildings yesterday afternoon. There was a large attendance, and Mr J. Reid presided. The object of the meeting was to consider the best method of securing certain amendments to the existing Licensing Act. A lengthy discussion took place, and the following resolutions wera oarried:—(l) "That, In the opinion of this meeting, it is doemed advisable to amend the present Licensing Act, end that we use our influence in that direction." (2) "That, as according to the present Act, no licensed victualler, spirit merchant, brewer, or owner of hotel proporty was eligible to a seat on the Licensing Bench, this meeting is oi opinion that to that clause should be added, that no person belonging to any Goad Templar Lodge, or any person biassed against the liquor traffic by temperance principles, should be eligible for election on a licensing committee." It was also decided to form a trade society, and a Committee was appointed to draw up rules, &c. ; also, to appoint two delegates, j one to represent the brewers and the other representing hotelkeepers, to go to Welling ton and use their influence in procuring an amendment to the Licensing Act.

MINING NEWS.

Thames, this day. Saxon.—A payable return of 62Joe gold has Seen got from 37 loads of general dirt. A small parcel of picked stone and about 161bs of specimens were secured from No. 1 reef this afternoon. Deep Level Cross. — Crushing has been started at the Herald battery with 10 stampers. IvXSuoe (Karungahake).—A drive has been started at thelow level on the course of the reef, which the manager reports to be looking better than it did in the winze overhead. Threo weeks wi'l be re qnired to establish communication with the tramway, and ifi the meantime operations will necessarily be limited. WooDs^oiyc (Karangahake). — The pro prietors do not intend ueiug the battery again, kit will await tlie erection of a smelt ing furnace before again breaking out quartn.

The Poet Sold.

Wellington, thia day,

The Poet has been sold by Mr Donne's executors to a Wellington sportsman for £100.

POLICE COURT-This Day.

(Boforo Hia Worship the Mayor). Threatening to Kill.—Thomas Broen was charged on summons with threatening to take tho ll£e of hia father, Michael Breen, of Lorno street, on tho 18th mat.—Defendant pleaded not guilty.—Michael Breen deposed to the nature ?i tho langpazo used. His son threatened ™B ,"«. and held a heavy poker over his head, and gave a look which terrified him. Language produced on rape:). He told his mother that ho made up his mind to " do for the old man. —Cross-examined by defendant- Thomas Breen deposed that it was altogether the old man's fault. Ho would not be quiet. ho was worrlod when single, and now he wns married things had got worse.—Hia Worship said it appeared to be a family (juarrol. and ho must diem.as tho caio Tlie parlies left too Court, end recommenced outsido, fol hi wed closely by two women and two con> stables. Presently Michael Breen returned mto Court, saying that he was afraid of his life. An Old OFFBNisEfc.—Eliza McGinn was charged under the Police Offouoeß Act with Doing without risible means —Prisoner pleaded guilty: and was sent tb prison for three months with hard labour. The polieo records show that (his woman has already spent twelve roars ana nine months in "oniaacs Tile." <

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(BY ODR SPECIAL REPORTER

Wellington, this day During last evening (Thursday) the Ho' and its precincts were completely deacrj by members. The boisteroueness of 2 weather, coupled with the fact that th wa S a big ball at the Hon. J. Joh ™ accounted for, to a special correspondent' this very undesirable state of things. ' At 11.30 Ministers had bfehn in r t- • at Sir Julius Vogel'a house CiZ fc' The House Committee have bnnn J •,' the tariff of charges at Bellamy-g, 1? ? g only increase made is in the price of eelb. water. A wag suggests that this tl & sequence of the small quantity used n-' a current fallacy that living at BelkmvX "dirt cheap," and that members nt ■ • 8.. the fat of the land at theexpenserf Z\£ payer. Thn is not so. The weekly & is 2 guineas , a emgle dinner, 4 8 . b?e a fi and Bupper, 2b. ""oaKiaat

tho construction of locally-manufa^S '; railway locomotives. Tho true fact i ß tv. i Mr Mitchelson had plans and nSi prepared and all the preset SStSS portfolio did was to order theine«o no f the advertisement. ■ 01 Mr Johnston gave notice to '-talk ".«.'■' Government if they will tlJamto Jr duoa ft bill to establish a UnivenKfe at Wellington. er««yui%, Sir Julius Vogel gave notice to mova ons going into committee next slttiofrda*^ introduce the Local Bodie. FinaScs W-i Also the Hospital and CharltabKd ffi He also gave notice to ask leave tow. duco a bfll to abolish the duty on gold . ' Mr Stout gave notice for W« ♦ ' introduce a bill to amend the Counties An? The Government have promised to prorfda ■ the House with a report onthewofcj! the Contagious Disease Act in thecofc during the year. » wiony . ■ QF^ ial tDeS lber, f? r Vincent has copy, righted the worda of his national anthem Mr Pyke informs me he wished founded stood hw object was merely to prevent the song being set to bad muai:, and was Z prompted by any desire to make a »« , out of it. He will be glad to „* H necessary permission when satisfied tMtll music is worthy of the words. ~ ' Mr Pyke has forwarded three email box«! containing copies of his patriotic eons to the Queen, Prince of Wales, and DiikaS Edinburgh. , . , w Free Trade and ProteoHon, Despite the amount of attention thatwns'S given to Free Trade and Pijqtection during" the recess, and the very general belief tint existed that the question would be foueht out on the floor of the House this" eeffion" I have the Premier's assurance, in mvil. to a question, that bo far as the Govern ment are concerned, there is no probability of tho matter being discussed. It n believed that nearly two-thirds of the House1 wou'd go the entire animal on Free Trade Notwithstanding the Government ,'fotanii tion to avoid a discussion on the- inafter" Borne Free Trede members think h .'debate will be faced when the Financial Statemect* is before the House. '' Dr the Governmeut think," said one of them last night,"tliat* they will force us to adopt taxation ofadie-1 tinctly protective character witnoßt^ssay ing a word on the principle? No,"sir for the first time in the history,of thi, colony there will be two real parties'tu the House. Theße parties willbeaccoßptored by the Financial Statement, "and,their names will be Frae Traders and -Prrteo. i tioniste." ..:.■

Sir George Grey's Growing Popularity. Sir George Grey is growing in popularity, j I mean that much of the great animosity felt towards him by a large'number of members is passing away, and if he plays hia cards carefully and avoids giving offence, he will be a great .power before 1 the end of the session. He .is slowly gathering round him many of his foriftr1' Eupportera, and there are not wanting those who believe that a combination between Sir George Grey and Major Atkinsonisone of ■ the possibilities of the future. It is not be* 3 lieved that either of these leaders deslies the combination, but that pressure of thelrjoe* Bonal following will bring it about, 'Thii, though improbable, is current lobby gossip,, and I give it for what it is worth.

Sir Julius Vogel at Hone. ■ Mr Hurst's question regarding tha "cost of tbe Government residences • was de signed, I believe, to ascertain :;ths; co* of certain alterations that haire been made in Sir Julius Vogel's house to meefr the special requirement of ffnr gout-Btrioken Treasurer. Hia utter inability to twe hv' legs has rendered the operation tecbaj cully known as "getting npstainf"r impoEsible, and to remedy this; i hydraulic lift has. been added to.; th» establishment. It is almost as much tronbl* to move the hon. gentleman about as It it; to shift a circus. When he gets up in th»; morning he is dressed by his valet, shot down the lift, and placed in an automatic; chair. When he desires to go home S specially-constructed buggy backs up to tie, door of the Ministerial residence, a gang way connoota the passage with the renicle, and Sir Julius Vogel, in his chair,! propel himself " on board," and drives aw»yis''» Good Spoeeh from Sir Geo. Grey. Sir George Grey made a neat little jpeech. in moving the address to the Queen, TS:thß Soudan contingent. It has won for mm, f olden opinions from all sorts of peopl*. 'he "Post" says it was exaotly what euclr a speech ought to be, expressing in brief but pregnant words the feelings of loyalty and devotion which colonists feel .towards the Empire and Sovereign. . There was nothing exaggerated or superfluous in the remarks, aha they found an echo in the hearts of all who heard them. .... . ;

Sir George Grey's oldenomy, Mr Wake field, in a leader in the "Presg,1,1 bsj*:1-; " The motion itself was a model of Parlia mentary composition, and the speech:io which it was moved would have been marred by the omisston, the addition, or altera tion of a single word. Ob, if Sir George Grey only knew the power to; wields when he confines himself tar'MS proper sphere of public work., .■'.lt.™... had known that power and discerned that sphere from the beginning of bis connection with the politics of Sew Zealand, he would, have spokeD yesterday, not from "I°ac!W benches, but from his place of Premief WSWk strongest and most permanent Govenimoßt/ ever seen in a country possessing. reprtW-' tative institutions." , • »«?&! Reform of the Educational System About Tuesday next Hon. W. $0BtwilI;. make an exhaustive statement; relating w., education, and suggesting means of Baking the present system more effective ••? .*•.: working throughout the colony. "I under that the whole matter will be &m tafy and the Minister of Education l»")M»gmM,, of remedying existing defecte. :>i'f., Local Government Refoira. : . ' The Counties Amendment Mi propose) to allow each riding to receive its awn rates, and £.lso provides that where there is no road district, and never was aiiy, a eertaut pro portion of the rat^s shall go to the riding., ■-,

New Native Land Proptßate-JieMIJW «' Mineral Spring;*. The new provisions in Mr BallMcri Land Act are unimportant. They include clauses for the leasing of sections not pxoeeding 50 acres on the perpetual system, tho sections to be open w application. Tho clause regarding leas ing of mineral springs is a? follows :-- The Governor may grant leases for a periM not exceeding 63 years of any portion not exceeding, in any one lease, seven screa-w all of any Crown land or land vested to nit Majesty containing mineral or other spnngfi whether or not reserved for the puDU^ health, and irrespective of the data or pur pose of any such reservation, conditional on tho erection by the lessees of D™ accommodation, and baths ior »»tbulß places in privacy for visitor?, and *£>)&> to such covenants in respect to forfeiture for breach thereof, and to such other con ditions as the Governor shall think fit to cc observed by the lessee for the public eon-., vonience. A Baton of Quostfona, On Tuesday Mr Johnston asks P Ballanoe if any communication bfle teen re ceived by Government from Admiral Try™ with respect to the organisation of a CttaaW Naval Force; Mr Witeon .will. «k »» Premier whether it is proposed to »«««« a bill relating to the redistribution of wars, and Mr O'Connor will move in the direction of the house sitting not later than mw night. Mr Hurst Opposes Extravagance. With reference to tho langb a(jjMr Hnrst's expanse in the House y^^W tho member for Waitemstn «wplaS»'^» -the telegrar; he received was e^ffJL ' marked " Reply franked " His motion for a return of costs and expenses of M«"«^ travelling about the colony was com pletely "emasculated by the ■««•» of the word "costs,' wWoh W« 'only the ordinary tMrelliDg to be accounted for, »nd not ™&. b?£l 1 items as spwial traim and Btawo» WF

U STAK.' FBI DAY, JUNE 19, 1885,

iKLAND E'



JMPORTANT jtrOTICB, MILNE AND CHOYCE HAVISO JUST RECEIVED A SIHPMBNT OF ■ EIQHTy-FIVE (85) MANTLES AND JACKETS, Bought by their Buyers at a Discount of 50 PER CENT. OFF .MANUFACTURERS PRICKS, Have reaolved to MARK THEM AT DESPERATE PRICES For the purpose of olearlng them out at once. The following fow QUOTATIONS will prove the Genuineness of the Reductions. OK VERY HANDSOME MANTLES AND 00 JAUKKTB, In tho Latest Styles, FOB fa. d. & s. d. 5 0 A Bargain oven at 2 5 0 2 5 0 .. .. 3 18 0 8 10 0 .. .. SIS 3 4 5 0 .. .. 0 IS 6 3 5 0 .. .. 7 10 0 5 I'D 0 .. .. 910 0 6 10 0 .. .. 10 0 0 7 10 0 .. .. II 10 0 8 19 0 .. .. 13 10 0 The abovo are REAL BARGAINS, and we would beg our friends to call and secure them, as they ore sure to go immediately. MILNE AND CHOYCE, QUEEN-STREET. BPECIALLY CHEAP GLEABING LINEB:i ---35 Girls' and Maids' Blade and Fancy Gloth Jackets, from 3s 63, according to slag. The above are under half warohotmo price. 23Ladi.es' Black Cloth Fashionable Ojioktjts; now this season j balance of warehouse etocK purchased at a very low price; tobffsoW at aboufhiflf their value. 980 Pairs Girls', Women's, and MensjKosiery. Travellera' Samples; a glreat bargain; In great vanfety. W0 Doatm Coats'a best Sowing Gottqn, white and.black, 200 yds, Is 3d doz., numbers 10 to 24 only. Nice lot Wool Goodis, frcm 6d. Austrian Rugs, 6s 9d; worth Do Gd. Having an over-stock of Cheap Clothing, wilt, provfiras to Stocktaking, roll at. about 20 per copt. discount. White Calico, 2jd yd; Grey Calico, 2<i. Crowdsoh'a Celebrated Calico, ijd yd ; 4a 3d by the dozen. Large lot of Remnants, very cheap. Good Coloured Moleskin, Is 4Jd yd. New Umbrellas, Fur Capo.?, FriUiirgß, Ulsters. . patterns Tree by post, Freight Paid on Parcels over £2 in value. WILLIAM R, BRIDGMAN, 283 UPPBS QtJEEN-ST. SPECIAL NOTIGE. I have received my Third Shipment ol AUTUMN AND . WINTER GOOBS, JUST OPENED, PBB TDB COPTIO, To which I Invite the inspection of my Patrons and the Publ'o generally. H. L. POSSENNISKIE, MMtt CHANT TAILOR & HABIT MAE-KB {■JHORII.ANU-3EBBJSS. •



DISEASES OF THE SKIN.— DR. LEWIS, having' made o spocial study of Skin Diseases, both at Homo and at Kotorua, New Zealand, may bo consulted aa follows: At King and Sons' Chemiate, Queen street, 11 to 12 noon, daily; at Haalotts, Uom Ist, Quoon-streot, 12 to 1 p.m., daily; othla Private Reaidenoo, College Road, near Ihreo Lamps. U to 10 a.lll. and 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. FOX EYE, EAR, AtsD THROAT DISEASES. DR. SCH WARZBACH, M.D., having rocontty returned from Europe, may bo oonaultod at Mrs Spiera'B, Albert Park, Auckland, daily from 10 to 1 Dr. S. limits his practico exclusively to the treatment o£ Diaeases of the Eyo, Ear, and HVirmcr patients aro Invited to oall. ■ DR. E. D. MACKBLLAR, M.D. CM., First-class Honours Unlverclty of. Olosgow fEdinbargh, Paris, Rotundo'Lying in Hospital. Dublin), II iS COMMENCED PRACTICE IN UPPER QUEEN-STRKET, In the houßO lately occupied by Col. Haultain. HOURS OF.CONSULTATION : At bome-9 to 10 a.m., and 7to 8 p.m.; also, Af. AicjnN'S, The Phttrmaoy, Quoun-stroet tpon 2to 4 o'clock in the afternoon. „ WOLFE'S SCHNAPPS tranquilises tho nor 'V vouasyetom. , " NOTICE. DR. W I LKINS, F. R. C. 8., CoNKUr.TINO AND pPKRATINO StfROKON, Is at hla Surgery Tor Qonural • Practico and Special Praotico-Kye, Kar, und Throat Diseases -hlStnlnvp and Afternoons; Sundays, 18J0 to 12.30. Consultation Fees vow ftiodorato, Dh. WiiJtiNaspSnt^even yeara at MOorefluMa Bye Hospital. London, undet Mpssrs Bownal and Crit<2iott,twaat Throat Hospital, London.;e(evtfn yearS Honorary Surgeon Alburt Hovpitbl, and. eight ytfifa at Eyo, Ear,and Throat Infirmary MslbouiSio. AdjustfLjSpqptaolos to Sight.— COnetiltinK Roomß^Quoon-stroet. Auckland, FURNITURE _P_XlA)Jli CARPETS KURUITURK I^l TOTTI S^SS^li FURNITURE Jj JLJKJii OABPBTS FURNITURE g^TT>T^ OARPEfS FURNITURE jH XIaJoJ CABPIITB SALVAGE FURNITURE SALVAGE FURNITURE LESS THAN 1 PRICE. LESS THAN I PRICE. WE SHALL SELL OUR fS BUUSSEL CARPETS FOR 5 s 6* AND QS ONES FOR 4 s 6 D> FOR A FORTNIGHT DURING OUR SALE. GAB-LICE'& CRANWJfiLL'ar'o SotiiJig'Cnairs Less than Half Prlpp. WE ARE" RE ALLY 's'eiiing' aii' CaVpots' at Great Reductions. Tapestry, Is Gd per yard. SALYA.&K TABLES for 'oifllcea and' Parlour'?'. Salvage Chests Drawers. Washstandß. ALL ' KINDS '' OK1"' FURNITUK'e' ' AT' r£ jhhticd pricks at our temporary PREMIS.Eg, WELLESLEY-ST. EAST. SUITES OF 'FURNITURE "REDUCED. OCCASIONAL CnAIKS REDUCED. PERAMBULATORS REDUCED, SECURE SOME OF THE BARGAINS in FUENITUEE AND CAEPETS AT f^ ARLICK AND i^RANWELL'S. Temporary Pbemisg?, WELLESLEY-dTREET EABT.