SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HK.H WArttll| To , molTPW jlciniug, 1.33 91TN^KT.—Thla Kvening, 7.1" •H'N'l'fSE.—To-morrow Morning, 5.1 W- .i >W8 AOK.-Now Moon, Kith, ZM p.m.

ARRIVALS.

SAIIKIIAV EVKSISO.

HfiraW, s.s., i-avory,. I'""' >lw .-i,nth ijisijorne, schooner, Skinner, from Uisbornc YEBTKHD.iV. ninniman, s s., Farquhar. from Whangarei Wnifiki. 5.3., Crawford, from Whangaroi TODAY. Wellington, s.s.. Slophaiißon, from Waiwera Te Amiii, s.s., JlcG.e. from Southern ports

DEPARTURES.

Atl'kujiv evening. Qucmi. schooner, Jcnce, for Hokianga JhUa Price, Ohonosos, for Russell

YKSSEHDAY. Hinemnn, Govt. 5.9., Fairchild, for Thames and Waiwera

IMPORTS.

Per 8.8. Tongariro—l case guns.—D. Evitt, Queen-street.

Per To Aoau, from Southern ports—2lo gnunic* sugar, 41 half chests tea, 50 halt cases castor oil, 20 gas stoves, 1 quarter casks wine, 2 b-irrels cotroe. 19 bales paper, 20 eases tobacco, 52 lUMea raisiim, 31 pieces timber, 2;> packs oat meal, a hhds. ale, «0 case 3 oil, l,4»fi sacks wheat, 35 a ises tea, 150 boxes, candles, 10 bags bran, 39 eases meat, 319 packages sundries.

Oitwaufs COASTWISE.—Ad;ih, for Barrier; Ma:.a. for Tairua: Hula' for Wairara; Puka paka. for Tairua; Dream, for Whangaroi.

fN'WAROS Coastwise.—Medora, from Whan- R.iro:i. with 40 tons firewood and H" socks cum : Mum, from Tninin, with 20.000 fee* timber; r>ikt|>uka, from Tairua. with 8f1,7-I8 feet timher; Rota, from Waiara, with 31,0'J0 feet of timber; Paku, from Tairua, with 27.000 feet tins'.isr; Ocoiui, from Whangarei, with »0 tons caul ; Mercury, from Tairua, with 2.1,000 feet timber; Ro ; e, from Matakana, with 40 tons ballast.

Tlia brigantine F,-anc:seo Felix cleared at tho Cns'oms to-day for Mercury Bay, wliere sho will loud timber for Sydney.

'"lie schooner Gisborno arrived from Gisbornc via Kast Coast ports, yesterday with 3i> casks wlu'eoil, 4fG sac!:s maix-', 3(J s\cks grass seed, llti cheese. 15 bags f ungii3,2obagß sugar, 42 pik'S, 1"> hides, and 51 packages sundries. Passenger; Mr J. W, Taggoit.

Tho «.s. Wellington, which left for Wauvera Oi Saturday afternoon, returned early to-day with a large number of passengers. The Wel lington leaves for Russell and Northern ports fiis evening.

T.ic s.r. Herald arrived from the Son'h on Sat unlay nlpht, having called on the way up at J.ytteltOD, Wellington, Napier and Gisborno. f^h-i leaves again this eveninp; for Groymonth direct.

The a.s. Clansman arrived from Wliansraraia! 3 a.m. yest' rJay. J'nsscnccrs : -Messrs James, Brown, Will, Cowan, Morey, Johnson, Larkin, N'.lson, Froude, Ridgcby and party (li), Buckley, M:Ganey, Drews, Jiicohs, Waller, Smith. Hunt, Monnock. Farroll, Porter, Sustins, D. Finlayson,

•■ii-irir. Vinos, Doiifrlas, Porter, Quinn, Sntcliffe, J. MoHourli. Ward, Taylor, PattorsoD, Givctte, Irvine, Snrrell, Dovan, Hart, Walker and soi\ Counell. Fidler, Smith, Hirnan, Dudley. R. M. Clark, Josephs, Mispes Brown, Pnslon, Munro, Meadamei Hushes, Hornc, Witt, Masters Tema dino and Urquhart.

The s S. Waitaki roturned from Whannarei yw^tcrday. Paseengerß : Mrs McKarrs, Messrs Brown. J. McKarra. Canham. Jameson. Smith, G. James, May, Munn. Hooy, Peel, Kllis, Dawaon, Howin, Uaitiold. Claydon, Black, Jjiimsden. hoiigdill, Whitiker, Gordon, Low, lluchanac, Backhurot, H. If. Sisaons. Mail", S'inds, Mrs Sands, Messrs McLcod. Fisher (ii.wu), Oeulon, Wolen, Murphy, Do glas. itiist. Noalte, Climate, Reid, rMcLianar, Wutirs, Sticehan, Hill, Hawkinn, Linp, Harris, Anthews, Xolan, Smith, Brown, Morton, Parker, Williams, Miller, Scarborough, Gazo, M.-Oluskoy, Lloyd. Murtfoid. Bennett, Mrs Wattia, A'fssra Watt'o, Krupp, Filz, Good man, Sutherland, Kedlington. Fiz. Smith. Jones. J. McLeod. Stenhouse. Porter, Whiting. B-fti-ley, Mrs Beasley. Messrs Williams, <>.\. K. Mitchelson. M'.H.'R.. Mrs Mitcht-1-on, Mesara Brown. Forward. Dclaßcy, Me o •, Cv.p sack, JlcDonald, Allwill. Carr. Aliuill, 'jawhui, AuSji-ry (71, Cole, owanson, McGrath, Burlev, Siurt."Dor:im, Bolion. Johnson, Mitchel'on (2) Sheenan. May. Lanp, Mumford, Farron, Porter, Cl-iinAnston, Qmidri. Cos-ack. Newman, Rewi, Bmks, Sutton, Downing. Wilkins, Taylor, U \ idri, Cleme3ton, Ltn^. Brers. Hart. Saddler, Srown, Hill, JCvans, RobortsoD, Ilaroio. Dick «)u. Cargo: 11 horses, 10 EacKS Rum, 5 tois Bundriea.

ARRIVAL OF THE TE ANAU.

The b.9. To Aimu left Queen's Wharf. Mel bourne, On Decemberß9th. lt'Sl, at noon, arrived at. Holiart January l*t. af. t> a.m.; leftHobart simrt day at noon, making fa<t alonyauie Blnfl" w!,;ir(7.:» i>n Sun.kiy n^un'nt;; lrft l.luff 5.50 p.m. en the sth, arrived l'ort Chalmers January U!h. at (i a.m. : proceeded up coast on the 7th at ■O) p.m.. callinj? at, Lyttelt^n on the Sth, wft lin":o!i Oth, Mavi-ir lOih, Gisborhs 11th; left GiHOorne on tht ll:h at 9 It a.m., making fast filo-iKaide Q.-een-slreet Wharf at Auckland, JuMiiry l'l'n, at 10 h.iii. Kxporiencud from >fi«lDourno to Hnbnrtlight N.K. windsanr tine woulher, Hobart to Port Chalmers S.K. wieds an'l lino wenihpr, air! up tlia cosst. till arrival li»h> variable wir.daanrt fli.e weather. Saloen I'Lsengera:— J[eßs>-3 (!. Irvine. George, A. S. Gciirie Barritt, F. Fflloea. Be'ehor, liroadhurrt, >l."f'her, JlcLoan. Carrow, I.iddy, Copelan'l, J t; Clarlte. K. U. CUrlo, Dr. Martin. X Grantor, J. 31.-Geadlß, Stafford. Lynch, Toatro Mcf'ormlck, Mi' 3, Gill ileldruai. C'oxon, Kwing 03inond,JBarry, Paisley. G. C. Williams, Bli"4: I). T. Toll. J. S In'iire, Wardrop Kbbitt, Nishtinan, Kirkland. F. A. G-unn, jr. Cray, Sk'r.ner Lovell, Ruddock. Knsifc'ii A. W. Grant. Wtctman, Ranncil, H. Wl'son. JJosdamos J. Hands McLean, Paisley. Jnck,Black, Bird, Mr Si-nr-son. Madame Creed, 31. L. Smith, J.ovull. Mi>»3(.s Kdw.-trds, Martin, Morgan. 1 owish, and iO in tho steerage. We are ind-jbted to Mr A. Crawford, purser, for pro 33 parcelß, report, etc.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA

DEPARTURES. Oral! s.s., KobevißOn, for Taranaki ■Vv ■ vie, s.s., McArthur, for Wuitara h-iii'iah Mokau, s.s.. Windsor, for Raglan, iCawhia, and Waitara.

Tho a.s. Hawea arrived from Southern ports at T a.m. on Sunday. Passengers: Mcsdarnes Jeirold, Noonan, Hosking. McLean, Rumley and child, Harker ana child. Crawford, acd Kvngdon, Rawson, (irylls, Gilmore, Holha, Aliases Hinds, Cross, Simpson. Naylor, Speed, H'l-.king, Ditely, Leper, Hawkins, Bondmaid, Leathern, Pardy. Carrington, P/itteison. Cot tier, Afessr3 Rutiledffe, Jerrold, Davis, iisher, Darin1. Navlor (2), Kasr, Hoskini?, McLean. Groon, Hay-ward, Go'ding, Kossiter, Shaw (•?), Hawthorn, Ackroyd, Brown, liennctt, Kyngdon, K«rs?U3Bon, Rawson, Grylls, Gilmore, Hollis, Cottier, Hammond, Dr. Rounds, and 2b steerage.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

IiYTTELTON, Saturday. — Arrived: Wave Queen, barque, 100 days from London.

SIDNEY, this day. —Arrived on Saturday afternoon: S.s. Hauroto. frjm Wellington.

London, January W.—Arrived at Plymouth: S.s. Orient, from Melbourne, November 28, with a cargo of frozen me it.

Steamer Doric, for Auckland.

Wellington, th"mlay.-The Shaw-Savi 1 and Albion Comuany are arty iscd that the steamor Doric left Plymouth on the Bth inst. for Auck land, carrying 308 passengers.

COMMERCIAL.

Even'lSG Stab, this day. Mr K. Arthur's Weekly Espoux.-Owing to the holidays for thejast two weeks no report has been given. There has been a fair demand for fruit, produce, and poultry, but prices have not ruled bo high as before Christmas During the past week a goo.l business has been done in all departments at satisfactory prices. Tuesday morning: £»le of local fruit A Rood attendance; all in good con dition brought fair price/, liipe goose berries will not bear the pressure of Backing; all came to hand in bad condition, and of course sold at low prices; some of the cherries we) em the same state. Gooseberries have to be sold at 3d to Is 6d per case, a few in better condition at ljd per lb. Cherry* at 2d to Gld; plums. 3}d to B}d; damsons, od to 6id; pears; 2d to sid; apples, Ud to 31d; lemons, la (M to Is 6d per dozen ; cocoanuts, 4s lid to os; onions. 13d; lard. 3d; butter, 6Jd; potatoes, it to 53. Afternoon: Sale of furniture, fancy goods. Sta A good number were present, but bidding wa3 languid, and prices ruled low. Thursday: Sale of fruit at mart; a large attendance; ttood prices were obtained. Cherries, to CJd; plums, Od to 8d ; goosebem s, «d to Udi pears. 2Jd to 3Jd; apples, 1J to 3d; peaches well packed in layersi email cases, Is Id to Is 4d per doz.: lemons, U fid to Is lid; apri. coti. 93d lbj peas, 6}d toßd peok: beane.Od; onion!'.; ljd. Afternoon: Sale of household furniture and effects, at Mv EdwardsV.Ponson. by The attendance was large; good competi tion The prices obtained were very satisfactory. Friday: Market-day sale of poultry, produce, fruit, etc,, at mart; a large attendance] B great quantity entered, and Bold at yery good prices. S'owlß, is to 2b 7d; Cochin fowls, Zs 7d to 1b Id; ducks, is 9d to 2s 8d: geese, 3a to 3s 6d; pigs, 13s to 15>; Rouen ducks. 3s; potatoes, 3a to 6s; onions Id to 13d; cabbage. Is to Is 8d per bag; Dfßb 3d to lid per peck; beans, id to lid per Dock; apples, l}d to ojd per lb; pears, Id to 3jd; cherrieß;Sd to 6d; plums, id to 7d ; Peachoa. Jd to Is Id per dozen; lemons, Is ad to Is 7d per dozen; nectarines, Udperlb; oats, 2s to3s per bushel; sharps. 8s per 1001b3; wheat, 3b to 33 3d l r bushel; chaff. 2s to 2s 6d per sack; cheese, Id' to 6Jd per lb ; bacor.! 4id to 7d; hams, Bd,

MINING NEWS

{by telegkaph—own correspondent.)

Thames, this day. Saxok.—Crushing operations will be com menced immediately at the Herald battery In the event of the quartz from No. 1 lode proving remunerative, a considerable out put can hs commenced.

Caledonian Low Level.—A leader met with in the north crosscut has opened out to a thickness of about a foot, and contains promising minerals. Loxe Hand.—Adams, tributer, crushed lCTloads for 9ozs. 19dwts. gold.

THE KHARTOUM EXPEDITION

Fears for the Garrison of Kassala.

(BY CABLE.-COPYRIGHT.]

I London, January 11th. I Disquietixg news has been recorded from ■ Kasanla regarding the safety of the gam ■ eon there.

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

Mails will Close as under—

This Day.

For Russell, Kawa Kawa, and FIJI, per

Arawata, at 4 p m. For Taurangu, and Opotiki, por Clansman, at For Hi'isfioll, Kawakawa. Whangaroa. Herd's I'.iint, aiirl Monironul, per Wellington, at S I p.m. ! For vvhitlunsl, Upper Mill, nnd Tilrna, por : < Mi n :Ik', at i p.m. For inanios, por Enterprise, at a.'tO p.m. Tuesday, 13th January. For Wtiiwem, luiwau. Omaha, and Mataknna, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m Vnr Tinnitus. <-r Hotunuihana. at 10 a m. i Por Te * n \n as follows :— For China, Japan, and Continent of Europe, v!h sue/, at 3 p.m. For Australian Colonies, and United King dom via Suez and Briudisi. or Nail.a (per Orient boot) for tetters, etc., specially so pre paid and addressed, at 4 p.m. For Money Orders, Registered Letters, and Newspapers, at 3 p.m. Lalo letters for Sydney and Melbourne only, at 1.20 p.m. Mail will be duo in London on Tuesday, March 3. For Valparaiso, per U.S. warßhip Iroquois, at 5 p.m. For Mangawai and Kaiwaka, per Ruby, at sp.m. For Whangarei Heads, Parua, Waipu, Wnan garei. Kaino, and Mangapai, per Macgregor or Waitaki, at 5 p.m. For Taranaki, and Southern Porto, per Hawca, immediately after arrival of Zealandia. For Australian Colonies, per Zealandia, im mediately after arrival from Honolulu. j NoTK.—Thn contract Btcamer Napior will lenvo Nelson, tor West Coast Port*, on 14th inst, I and will leave Hokitika for Okarita and West (.'oast Sounds. on 19th inst. 1 TnunSDAY, lfnh inst. For London direct (per Arawa from Welling | ton, on 21st inst.) for tatters specially nd i dressed, por Wairarapa, at 11 a.m. Expected I length of passage 4S days.

S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster. Chief Post-ofllce. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

January 12, lc&3.

Abbott's Opera House—"Jano Shore," S p.m. Wiiitomatu Hotel—Mero&ntilo Marine Asso ciation, 8 p.m. A.0.F., Nil Desperandum—Special meeting, 7.30 p.m.

Notices to Correspondents.

W.M.—Under tho new rules of tho Auckland Racing Club no declaration to win U made. Both horses must be ridden out.

Births.

JENKINS.—On tbe Tlhintt., at Victoria-street,

ilia wife of 11. Jenkins of a daughter. SHEPI'ARD.—On January lo,lßßl.atMunukau Road, l'nrnell, the wife of J. Sheppard of a ton.

WAT.SOX.~On Januaiy 3, Victoria-street, tho wife of A. J. Watson of a sou.

Marriages.

SPK.V.R -LKON.—On Novombcr li), at St. Paul's Church of Knijlaml. by tho Rev. C. M. Nelson, B. J. S Spear, eldest, son of John Spear, coach builder. Cornwall. Kntfand, to Laura Jane, third dHtightor of Captain Thomas Leon. Harbour inastor, Hokianga, late of England. —Homo papers please copy.

THOKBY-FARRER.-On January 10, at St. Mary'a Church. I'arnull. by tha Rev. G. H. S. Walpolo, Henry X war.l Thorl>y, of Master ton. N.Z.. to Mm y. elder daucrhter of the late Kiclum! fc'ai-rer, of ;-.toko Newiugton, London, England.

\VAUCKU-JAMEB.-Om Jmiuary r>, at St. Judo's Chuvcli. AvundiilOi by the liuv. John Haxeldcn. liorncn. youngest son of the late HonryHirat VV'alker. Ijounceaton. Tusinnnia. to itnry Sophia (Loltc). ynunKest daughter of C'uptain 1(. 11. James, iilocklev, Avindale N 'A.

Deaths.

MANX.-On Junuavy 10th, ISSo, at his lute resi de nee. Newton Road, after v short but painful illness. Christopher Frederick, tho dearly be loved husband of Harriot Mann, in hla 51th year. Deeply remitted. Homo and Melbourne pup rs please copy. SIMPSON-DAL'i'ON.-On December 1. 1881. at All Saints' Church, Ponsont.y, by tlio Key \V ('alder, Grorgo Simpson, of Mount A'herl, to Mary Alice, youngest daughter of W. .1. Dalton. C.E. SEARLE.—On Sunday. January 11. at her lalo Ko?idir°Delia! The" bulovt d" wSo*" o( a¥liomiui Keurlo. Victorla-streei. 'I he funerp.l will leave her lato residonco to morrow (Tn-jsd»y). IS' li in»t.. at 1 p in. friends please accept tliis iiitinuuion. VISCOVICfI.-On Junn.irv n.at hoi- resident, Oneluiii.a, Cattarine Vijcovich. tie beloved wife o( Joseph Viscovlch; »Ked 3U years. YOUD. — On January 12. at his parents' lesi dencc, Brighton lioad, Puniull, Mrrtton, tno only and belowd s>on of Hobert Moreton and Annie Voml: nKixl 11 weeks

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 1885.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs realstano*. For the future In the distance, And the good that we can do.

The idea of Federation between the Home country and the colonies has taken deeper root in England than in Austialasia. In none of the colonies has the movement passed beyond the stage of mild discussion, but in London a number of influential gentlemen have formed themselves into a League to bring it about. At the adjourned meeting in November, Mr Forster pre sided, and there was a large assemblage of peers anil M.P.'s of all shades oi" opinion. Amongst the Anglo-New Zealanders and persons known in New Zealand present may be mentioned Sir F. D. Bell, Sir William Fox, Sir Wil liam McArthur, Mr Alexander. file- Arthur, Sir Saul Samuel, Lord Rose berry, Mr Gorst, Mr Francis Young (Secretary Colonial Institute), and Lord Normanby. The Provisional Committee had brought up a report, of which we have received the following synopsis from our London correspon dent :—

Tho report stated that expressions of opinion favourable to the object of tho conference had been received from all parts of the world, and much intereßt had been evinced with regard to the tormation of tho proposed society. The Provisional Committee further submitted certain reso lutions for the consideration of the Confer once, among them being the following:—(1) that a society be now formed to be called the Imperial Federation League ; (2) that the object of tho League be to secure by federation tho permanent unity of the Empire; (3) that no scheme of federa tion should interfere with the exist ing rights of local Parliaments a 3 re gards local matters ; (4) that any scheme of imperial federation should combine on an equitable basis of the Empire for the maintenance of common interests and ade quately provide for an organised drfence of common rights; (5) that the League use every constitutional means tD bring about the object for which it is formed, and invite the support of men of all political parties; (0)' that the membership of the League bi open to any British subject who accepts the principles of the League and pays a yearly registration fee of Is ; (7) tnat donations and subscriptions be invited for providing means for conducting tho business of the League! (8) that British subjects thiough out tho Empiro be invited to becomo mem bers, and to form and organise branches of he League."

The adoption of the report, moved by the Marquis of Normanby, was supported by Sir Henry Holland, Mr F, Stanhop, M.P., Lord Bradbourne, the Earl of Dunraven, and the Hon. J. Merriman. A careful perusal of the speeches delivered on the occasion does not make it very clear in what shape Federation may be realised, They invite the criticism which was applied by Mr Bright a day or two later, that the federation of the Empire is an idea which, " when you try to grasp it, seems to be very much of a phantom." Mr Forster and Mr Merriman were the only speakers who ventured away from general expressions of the desire to knit England and her colonies in a closer bond of union, and who tried to define how Imperial Federation may possibly become a reality. Mr Forster said : —

" A Federal Council—a Colonial Council —would bo one form of federation uu djubtedly; a Parliament would be another form. There is a good deal to be said for beth ; but I repeat I do not think that the time has come to decide upon them. This, I think, we may very fairly do. We may consider what ia the necessary condition of a future federation—what is the necessary condition of the change we think must take place from self - governing colonies, having nothing legally to do with the power of the Imperial Gov

ernment in dealing with foreign States, to change that relation into one in which they shall have their share in controlling foroign policy, it is that change which we have to look forward to, and when that change comes what must be the necessary condition of it? There'is one condition which is ab solutely necessary. It ia that the union should imply mutual defence, mutual alliance with common citizenship."

Mr Forstor spoke of the value of a i common citizenship, with every post in i the Umpire open to each subject; but that practically exists already, without f< deration, and the only tangible sug gestion contributed by the discussion was the idea of a common system of defence. Mr Forster said :—" Our Go vernment ought to come forward, and I have very little doubt.will conio for ward, with some plan of mutual de fence, especially by ships of war; n mutual agreement to find the cost of a navy might be arranged, and put into working detail." We are not so satisfied as the speaker appeared to be that a demand for a colonial contribu tion towards the maintenance of an Imperial Navy would be favourably received in the colonies. There has, it is true, been some activity in the work of defence'in the Australian colonies ; but New Zealand is still apathetic and neg ligent, and until money has been pro vided for the fortification of our chief ports, it is premature to talk of our equipping ships of war. The most agreeable features of the gathering were—first, the unanimity and earnest ness of the feeling in favour of the co'o nies, find second, a pervading convic tion that no scheme of federation must be permitted to infringe the perfect local autonomy of each colony, ex tending even to its right to impose hostile tariffs. That a large and influential body of English states men are manifesting a deepening interest in the colonies, and applying their thoughts to the discovery of a plan which will give to every limb of the Empire an active share in the life and movements of the whole body, is also a fact that will tend to the achieve ment, if it be possible, of the end in

Prince Bismarck ion South Sea Annexation.

That the action of the Government of New Zealand in proposing to annex tho Sumoan Islands to this colony is not altogether void of political significance, as some critics have tried to make out, is evident from tho fact that it has been made tho subject of remark by tho German Chancellor. From his reported utterances, it would scorn thnt the Government of t,,0 Kaiser had not been moving so expedi tiously in tho matter of annexation in the 'Pacific as Prince Bismarck desires', for ho instances tho proposed an nexation by New Zealand to show how | German interests may sutler by delay. The I " blood and iron" prince is reported to ' have declined giving any information as to tho future intentions ot Germany in the matter of annexation, lest hisschomes should be thwarted by tho active Anglo-Saxon colonists. Ho is also stated to have appre hensions of English opposition to the German protectorate proclaimed ovor part of Now Guinea, in tho shape of incit ing tho natives to resist tho Gorman occu pation. We inclino to think the Chancel lor's fears on tho latter score lUOHrour.dlefS, at Britain would adopt a nwie straight forward if less pleasant courso if fho in temltJ objoctinK to the presence of out Toutonic ccusins in New Gu'uoa

Sovornl important items of nows will be found among our cable messages to-iiay. Tlie mrst sensational is that whioh refers lo tlie dastardly murder of an irUh "traitor.1' in tho ollico of that arihoonspiiator o'Donovan Rossa, ut New fork. German war vessels have beon " punishing " natives on tho west coast of Afric i —this being quite tho approved inethcd c.f carrying on annexation The French liecidivisro Hill is expected to pass, but it. is improbable that further shipments of convicts will bo sent to Jvo>v Caledonia. More cases of small-pox aro reported from Sydney.

The presentation to Mr Oco. Frasor In recognition of his enterprise in connection with the steoimr Triumph took place thi afternoon, hut our report must be held over till to-morrow.

Robinson's cricket team, wliioh has been playing in tho South with vaiio;! success during tho past week, arrived hero by tho Te Anauto-day, excepting Messrs Robinson and Barton, who remained at Wanpamii where they intend to remain for a few days.

At the Polico Court this morning, boforo His Worship the Mayor (MrW. K. Wad del) and It. \V. Moody, J.P.s, Thomis C 'lo was charged with drunkenness. I'citg still differing from the effect* of liquor, he was remanded for seven days. Two sailors belonging to the barque Holla Mary, viz,, Evan Owen Jones and Alfred Colo, wore charged with disobedience of lawful com mands, and wore ordered 4S hours' impri sonment, aleo to pay coats. This was all the business.

We have to record in this eveni.ng's issuo the death of Mr Christopher Frcdoiiek Munn, the iirst member that was initiated in the Eden Lodge of Freemasons, E.G., who passed away after a short and painful illness at his residence, Nowtou Read. Tho deceased bi other was a highly-respected member of his lodge. A large number of tho brethren attended the funeral, which took placo to-day. He would have been in terrea wit 1 all the rites pertaining to the craft, but owing to the Star going earlier to press on Saturdays, the necessary notico to brothrcn could not bo given. The do ceased brother passed away full of years, leaving a wife and children to mourn over tils removal.

A man named Thomas White, alias Bennott.ai rived here by theTe Anau to-day under custody of the p. lice, charged with larceny as a bailee- of a mare, saddle, and bridle, valued at A" 18, the proporty of Francis Harvey, at Ponroso, on the Bth January, ISBS. He was removed to the Police Station by Sergeant White, White wa* arrested at Gisborne by Sergeant Bullen, brought boforo the Gisborne Bench, •and romumicd to Auckland to appear on the 14th instant. Ho is an old offender.and well known to tho police hero.

The team selected by the Auckland Fire Brigade to take part in the forthcoming Colonial Fire Brigade Competition at Dunedin, will leave for the South on Thursday, under the charge of Mr Superintendent Hughes. The names of the men composing the team are :—Branch man G. Moore, Branchraan F. Findlay; Assistant Branchman T. Solomon j Sec retary Little; and Fireman Wayte.

An inquest was held on Saturday at the residence of Mr R. K. Davis, Romiiera, on ■the body of Richard Hall, who was killed by a fall of gravel in the Little Rangitoto pit, Ellerslie. Dr. Philson was Coroner, and Mr B. K. Davis foreman of the jury. Evidence was given similar in substance to tie facts published in our Saturday's issue: —John Peach, farmer, Remuera, in whose employ tho deceased was, considered that tho pit Was not at all dangerous. It waa only eight or ten feet in height, did not overhang, and thought the deceased must have been excavating at the foot of the pit and brought the top down on him. A ver dict of " Accidental death " waß retuFßed-

The Eight Hours' Demonstration pro. miees to be a great success. About 20 dele fates wera present at the meeting last 'riday evening. Amonget other bushess, it was decided to circulate posters in the country towns of the provincial distict, inviting working men to join in tho Dro cession and help to commemorate the gand system of eight hours' labour. Subscrip tions were received from Mr T. Peac<ek, M.H.R., £2 2s, Mr McGregor £1 Is, md Mr B. Keane £1. Tenders are invitedfor the services of a brass band to head he procession.

We are glad to learn that Herr Schmir, after five months' of painful illness, is mw well enougli to resume his profes3ioial duties. He announces by advertisements another column that he will meet intencliig pupils at the Choral Hall on the afternom of the 29th instant, and will re-commeme his classes during the second week in February. We have little doubt that tie prevailing sympathy among his old pupls will ensure the rapid filling up of his list. 2£A large audience at Abbott's Opsia House on Saturday night testified, tut only by their presence, but by their ap preciative applause, to the sustained ii terest in the drama of " Jane Shore," which is presented niehtly by Mrs Lewis's Con pany, followed ty an amusing afterpiect These pieces will be produced till further notice.

Tho well-known yacht Magic, 4J ton.i, with frpars, sails, one ton ballast, &c, was sold by Mr G. Lewis today for £10. Mr Williams was tho purchaser.

A parcel of liiOlbs. of stone brought by Mr Collins from Hawke's Bay, und for warded through Mr E. Wayiriouth to the Thames, was crushed at tlio Wince Imperial battiry, tho result being lidwtfl. of retorted gold, or at tlio rato of 'lons, of retorted gold to the ton.

Tho last of the wok's religious services wan held on Saturday evening, at tho Young Men's Clnistian Association liooms, Mr Kuington in tho chair. An address was given by tlio Key. T. <!. Carr, of St. John's Wegleyaii Church, I'onsonby, on " Thy Kingdom Come," which received reepoebful attention. Rev. C. Carter was prevented from taking part, owing to in disposition.

Almost all tho Auckland visitors to the Whangarri Kaces which took place last weok roturncd to town yesterday in tho steamers Clansman and Waitaki. Both vessels consequently wero crowded, having between them about threo hundred paesen gora, while others will probably return this evening by tho s.s. Macgrogor.

Tho District Court sat today, when judgmont was givon for plaintill' in the following cases :—Joseph Craig v. James Maoky, claim £30 (is, cash lent; J. B. Campbell v. Hugh O'Brien, claim £0)) 2s sd, dishonoured bills ; D. A. Tole v. (Jeorgo Cozens, claim £22 l(rw, rent on lease of Kotorua binds; .lohn Kobin'on v. Hurry Kevo'l, claim L'(10, goods, Plaintiff wan nomuirod in tho case of .lohn G. Dick and •las. Lowis v. John Andrews, claim £30, damages, for injury said to have beun caused to a horse by shoeing. Several other caseji wore confessed or adjourned.

We are informed that (hero if a quantity of bavo silver coin in^clrculntiou just now, and trades pooplo would do well to he crrcful in giving change. A well-known policy-otticer was taken in today with a spurious philling Tho imitation is an excellent one and almost defies detection.

Tho wreck of the brig Anuaboll us sho now lies at Koipnra Heads was sold by auction at Messrs Tonics and Co.'m mart to-day for .CS. Tho purchaser was Mr.). Sheohan, of K.'iipara Messrs Tonlis and Co. also sold a small cottugo for removal from Princes street for £7 los.

A striking instance of tho curative powe ■ of To Arolia hot baths is recorded by tlio " Thames Advortiser " as follows: —One day last Week a goiitleman arrived in tlio district quito helpless from sciatica, intending to tako advantage of tho usual courae of bathing. Within a few days he was com pletely restored to activity, find on tlio arrival of another invalid, suffering from acuto rhuomatism, tho orstwhilo sciatica cripple was among tlioso who assisted in carrying him to the springs from which he had himHelf derived so much benefit. An example of this kind is worth any quantity of theory.

For nine or ton months pa-<t vigitora to tho Free Public Library havo made com plaiuts about tho proscnoc of a soody looking individual, who was always in a most filthy stato, and grievously offended tho olfuctoiy orguns cf their moroflfOtisi tivo natures. This morning |iho man's condition piovod ko unpleasant, that ho was taken to tho I'olice Station and charged with having no lawful visiblu means of support. lie gave his name as •lames Robert Meßeth. ■

A qua: terly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce takes place on Thursday after noon, at "2.30 o'clock. Some important buHnem is expected to iiomo before tho meeting, including a letter from tho London Chamber of Commerce on Imporinl Federa tion, reports with referonce to direct s Ouir.orH, Customs tarilf, bankruptcy, Sail Francisco mail seivi;o. telephone cluuges, railways, tnd industrial ujchibi tbm. Thcro will also bo a ballot for now mcmlicrs, and, piobably, n resolution oil

annexation

A curious child's treak, causing most mU chievoufl conscquonceH, occurred two year? Bi.ioe in Now Plymouth. A liltiofjirJ, about two yenn old,playingwith Bomodryseodtor burrs of tha co'kie.u kind of grass imported fi'om England, pushed one of them iito her noao, where it quickly disappeared from view, and oven from reach by every kin-I of for. cops. U Ice ration followed, and though tho mother managed to detach a portion of tho burr, the symptoms ot local arid very severe inflammation remained. The local surgeons endeavoured by many operation* ami explorations, keoping the litt'e patient under chloroform, to extract the offending object; but finally doeuted, dfpUring in tho tnost positive manner thai nothing romahicd behind in the nature of a foreign substance They also c.imo to the conclu sion that the nasal bones were diseased, Ten days ago Mrs B. brought the little -ut ferev to Auckland, and pluced her under Dr. Moore's caro. Iv careful ey ringing* and tho arlministrnti'in of homteopailiic remedies, which promptly stimulated the living muiMus membrane of (ho noptiils, on tho morning of January 3rd, only live days after commencing tho new treatment, ;m object was expelled from the back of tho nostrils into the mouth, which, upon examination, proved to bo half a cockle burr, thus con iirniing the mother's contidunt prognostica tion that some of the burr had remained be hind. Of coins',little Eva li. is now rapidly regaining health and happiness aftor the tortures of two years' suffering.

Tho Secretary of the Auckland Club ro querns merchants und olhora to render ilieir accounts to3lht ult. without riclny.

L>i\ tluincs notilioa in another column that ho lOiives for England on Iliu 21st. und wishes that all claims against him bu rendered and amounts uwing to him bo puitl before llmi dnte.

SUPPOSED SUICIDE.

A SUDUKN death, under somewhat peculiar circumstances, occuncd at Wilson* Scan diiuavian boarding-house in Custom house-street early this morning, Tho proprietor state* that tho deceased, a i'rench Canadian sailor named Julius Dennie, cauio to his hcuse on Satur day night. He was at tie large fire re ported elsewhere till Sunday morning, aud slept nearly all that day. He was very lively in the evening, aid went to his room about 10 p.m., after bidding several chums "good nig'it." About 1 o'clock next morning he wis heard to bo stirring, and at 5 a.m. Mr Wilson heard him groaning and crying. Ho wont up stairs to his room, and found him on the lloor, evident!; in great pain. He give tho man eomc brandy which appeared to relievo him somewhat. He then went for Dr. Dawajn, called for him at G a.m., and was infomed ho could not see his patient till 11 am. Dr. Ten nant was next called and came im mediately, but he found the man already dead. JJoforc this Mr Wilscn asked the man what was the matter with him, when he replied that ho had a frightful pain. The body was removed to the morgue at noon to-day there to await an inquest. A glass containing a whitish powder was round under the bed of the deceased and led to the eonclnsion that he hao committed suicide. It was taken in charge oy Sergeant Clarke The contents of the glass were proved to be arsenic, so that grave sus picions were aroused. A posi mortem ex amination of the body is to be made by Dc Tenna t. The itunach will be fo.« warded to Mr Pond, Government Analyst, for his report, and an inquest before the coroner will be held at Gleeson'e Hotel to morrow.

THE NENTHOBA MURDER.

Strange Conduct f On 6ot the Prisoners,

(HY TELEGn#'l *~owtf COKRBSrONDEHT.)

| ""'■ Dunedin, this ' The jontences passed in the NeiP ' r*urder trial are generally condemned w lenient. Crowley, on being removed? the Court-house, called for three cheer? Ireland and for Parnoll, and on arrive the gaol, addressed the crowd outside, \ plaining that ho had been unfairly victed, and saying he would come out dynamitard.

TH NEW ZEALAND LOAN.

(BY TKLEGRAPII. —OW.V CORKKHTONDKNT.) f

Wellington,, this day. | The following are tho correct figures received from the loan agents :—The total' amount tendered for was four million one hundred and thirty thousand pounds. Tenders at £99 Gs Gd receive 65 per cent. The average price of the loan was £99 10s Id.

A special despatch to the Press Associa tion, dated London, Januavy 11th, says :— " The cflicial average of the New Zealand loan is £99 10s."

London', January 10.—The corrected <oSal amount of tenders for the New Zealand loan is £4,190,000, and tenders at £99 6s Cd will receive 65 per cent of the amount tendered for, not 30 per cent, as previously fctated.

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

(Fiuiii Oun London CoitnuspoNDKNT),

[For the 5 Days Ending Nov. 21.]

Loniion, November 21

General Scratchloy's Departure.

A ORKAT friend of your Governor, Sir Wm. Jervois, to wit, Major-General Scratehloy, the recently-appointed High Commissioner of New Guinea, has been the Anglo Colonial hero ot the week. Ho leaves England for the scene of his labours to-day, and what with farewell banquets, lunches, and little dinners, not to mention deputations, con gratulations, and audiences with Minis-

tors, 1 slioiild think he will not be sorry to enjoy some rest and quiet on board ship. Tlio English presß unanimously approves of the General'B appointment, and of the manner in which his actions will be guided by the Australasian colonies ; indeed, the "Pall Mall Gazotto " definitely opines that out of the Board of Advice for tho ruling of New Guinea will grow a Federal Govern ment of Australia.

Another important event of the week has bee" tho adjourned mooting of the Council for tho Promotion of Imperial Federation. A full report of the proceedings will be found further on, including a verbatim note of the speech of Sir Francis Dillon Bell, which diil not appear in tho English paper.", and lias boon specially transcribed for your benefit.

A deputation of tho Agents-General of the Australasian colonies waited upon Lord Derby on 'J'ueHday. Tlio buHinese was notiiinully private, but I learn on good authority it referred solely tothelieeidiviste question, tho Australasian colonies uniting together to urge on tho Colonial Secretary the imperative necessity of at once forbid ding tho further transportation of French convict* to tho Pacific. Aroher'a Visit to tho Colonies. The early information from special sources with reforonco to tho Australasian tour of Fred Archer, the world-famous jockey, given in my last letter, was two days liter confirmed by the London dailies. Archer left London on Saturday evening with his friend, Captain Bowling, and faithful valet, Solomon, They joined the Cunard steamship Bothnia At Queenstown. and are at the present moment well on their way ncrobe the "herring pond,"a 3 Yankees cull the Atlantic. Tho praeent intentions of the party are to travel somewhat rapidly through tho Statesand tako an early steamer from'i.-'scoto Auckland. Whetherthoy will &tay lo ij in New Zealand I can't say. Much will depend on tho biff racing fixtures in Australia, as Archer is naturally anxious to be present at one of them ; indeed,more un likely things might happen then hi* having a mount in the Champion Stakes. At present the poor fellow is in wrotched spirits, almost 'broken-hearted, his frionds say. He vows he won't ride at all next season, but either thU resolution will bo broken or he will never ride again, for after 18 months' idleness ho couldn't possibly get himself down to racing weights. Even aa it is he finds it very didicult.

" Tho Sporting Times," writing on this subject, Hay?:—" It may be that tho ring ing cheers which hailed the victory of Thcbais ut Liverpool, last Thursday, at tho sanio time wore the faroffell greeting of tho public to tho great jockey who rode her. Tho distressing event of the termination of tho b.ight young lifo of his only yesterday nowlymado wife has left the I.ereuved husband prostrate and almost heartbroken. In his great alllietion he has received the earnest sympathy of all classes, but, like Rachel of old, lie refuses to be comforted. Work is tho beet antidote for grief, and his fiiond." will do well to prevail upon him, if possible, to forego his determination not to ride again until 1886". It is not well forone who has led such an active oi>a exciting life to bo left atone to brood on a great Borrow. Should Archer live in retirenieiit next year, it m iy be doubted whether we shall »co him in tho saidlo again, aa with a year and >i-I>alf of resit ho may npt be able to ride at racing weights. It costs him a great oilort now. Should it prove that his victory on Thubnis was, ut the same time, his farewell, ncne can pay but that farewell was well riituio, 11.) Ims achieved this year a total of winning mounts not only fur exceeding that ever raudo by any other jockey, but cve:i <i;lip.-iiig his own marvellous record, and Thubaia metaphorically was a great stage from which to make his final bow." Sola's Tour. In consequence of a tempting offer from nn American impresario Mr Silo has some what, modified tho arrangemonts for his Australian tour. Instead of travelling flir»jct to the colonies by P. and 0. stoamor as originally intended, ho will cross the .Atlantic early in January, and deliver lectures in lifteen principal cities on his routo westward. The American trip con cluded, G. A. 3. proposes to sail from 'in-i^eo by Pacific mail steamer for Sydney, via Auckland, making his debut in Aus tralia at tho Town Hall, Melbourne, on Easter Monday. The antipodean tour will occupy from 15 to 18 months, and in clude all the principal towns in Australia arid New Zoaland. Mr Sola will not make any stay in Auckland on his way to Sydney.

Vesoy Stewarts Lectures.

The " Scotaman " ot Novotnbtr 14th con tains a notico of MrVesey Stewart's lecture nt the United Presbyterian Synod Hall, E'licburgh, tho previous evening. The Kew Dr. Grey presided, and spoke of the surprise and pleasure manifested by Lord Koseberry at what he saw in New Zealand. Mr Vtsey Stewart, after a brief sketch of tho history und progress of the colony, de scribed his own spocial settlements at tho Bay of Plenty, and cordially invited all in tending emigrants to avail themselves of tho »xcellence of the land and tho many Government privildges, and settle there. Sixty limelight views of New Zealand wcro subsequently shown.

Tho Indian papers announce tho marriage of Lieut. Jones, of tho 47th, to Diana, daughter of tho late Captain J. H. St. Jofcn, Lieut. Colonel N.Z. Militia,

Indian and Colonial Exhibition,

The London "Gazette" of November 10th contains tho Queen's Commission for the Indian and Colonial Exhibition of 1886. It appoints as members a large number of English celebrities, and several native princes of Indh, also the Agents-General of the various Australian colonies, amongst whom Sir F. D. Bell, of course, figure?.

Defrauding a Colonist,

Tho men Ward; Richards, and Don, who wore committed for trial a few weeks ago for defrauding a successful colonist named William Clark, some time a resident; of tho thames, New Zealand, but more re cently of Tasmania, came up for trial on Tuesday, and wore sentenced to terms of imprisonment of six, nine, nnd twelve months respectively.

1 related the circumstances of the case when tho fellows were arrested. Ward made Clark's acquaintance on board ship coming home, and led him to believe that he thoroughly understood the ways of the English turf. When they arrived in Eng land they lodged together, and attended several race meetings, where Ward intro duced Kichards, whom he said was a well known racing man, and a friend of Lord Roseberry's, Baron Rothschild's, Fred Archer's, &c. With the assistance of a third man, Wm. Don (an ex-colonial book maker), Ward and Richards managed to seduce Clark into parting with several hundred pounds, their own investments and losses, however (made with the assistance of " (lush " bank notes), seeming much larger. The game went on till Clark's suspicions became aroused. He then very wisely I made no complaints, but communicated quietly with the police, who arrested the lnon red handed with bundles of " flash " notes representing £3,000 in their posses sion.

Frozen Meat. The arrivals of the Florida Aorangi and Liguria (as well as a cargo from Sydney) have thrown bo much frozen mutton on the market that it is soarcely surprising there should have been a slight fall in prices. Canterbury sheep (now firmly established •with the best reputation) still fetch 6d per lb. but 5Jd to 5Jd is the ruling rate. ,-Wtffct and Stimpson quote :—-New Zea 'Tand mutton, 3s Sd to 4s per stone of Slbs; Australian, 3s Bd.to3s lOd peratone of 81bs; Rivor Plate, 3s 6d to 3s 8d per stone of 81bs; Dutch, 8s lOd to 4s 4d per stone of 81bs ; Eiu lish, 3s 6d oss per atone of 81bs. The cargo brought Home by the Lyttel ton consists in the main of wretched little sheop. Some of the carcases for gale at Smitlifiold this morning do not weigh more than eighteen or twenty pounds. An em ploye of a large firm of importers tells me that consignments of this sort do serious injury to the trade.

Personal and General,

Mr VV. Baillie Hamilton, of tlie Colonial Office, a gentleman well known to and very popular with all notable Anglo-New Zea landers, has just published through Messrs Blackwood a novel entitled, "Mr Monte uello, a Romance of the Givil Pervice."

At tho first ordinary meeting of the Statistical Society on Tuesday last, the President, Sir Rawson _W. Rawson, JC.C-M.G., read an interesting paper on

"British and Foreign Colonies." Sir F. D. Bell and others were present, Mr J, Satchel Studley has sent a wcka rail (white variety) fiom New Zealand to the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park. There aro a few theatrical memos. about artistes well-known in the eolonic-s. Ada Ward is at Malta ; Bland Holt, touring the provinces with "Taken from Life"; Lytton Sothern, playing " Lord Dun dreary " in Ireland ; Camillo Dubor, rest ing ;" William Farrcn, junr., supporting Miss WallU; Alice Lingard, still going crazy nightly in "Called Back"; Fred Thome, doing a ineuk shopman in " Saints and Sinner* " at the Vaudeville ; and Henry Bracy and his wife, somewhere in the provinces with "Princess Ida." The Rev. VV. S. Green has prepared a very interesting lecture from his book on tho "High Alps of New Zealand," and is delivering it through the provinces, with a magic lantern and some capital photos of tho Southern Sounds, mountains, and bush sconcry. Tho " Daily Telegraph " attributes the recont fall in prices of provisions in Eng land as much as anything to tho huge im portations of New Zealand mutton, which made meat of nil kinds cheaper than it has been for years. The list of applications for the English mastership at the Dunedin High School closed on Saturday last with 120 candidates. The decision of the Agent-General will not be made known for a fortnight.

Tho trial of Chambers"l) refrigerating engine is again delayed, owing lo defective workmanship, the coils through which the air has to pass proving leaky. Mr Cham bers hopes to remedy this in a few days, but flaws and delays seem so constantly to occur that thCpromotera are beginning to lose faith in the machine, and to wonder whether it will ever bo complote.

Major Te Wheoro, though still far from being himi-eH, is conva'escent. The doctor pays his last vis.it to dg.y, and To Wheoro has booked passages to Auckland for him self and Skidmore by the lonic, sailing on the 3rd inst. They arc. still at Brighton. Major-General Scratehley, the now High Commissioner of New Guinea, sail? for Australia to-day. On Tuesday evening ho and a number of leading Anglo-colonists were entained at the St. Stephen's Club by Mr J. Henniker JTeaton, of the "Sydney News."

Pastor Thomas Spurgeon'a last public appearance in a ngland will probably be at the opening of a new Baptist chapel in Camberwell, on tho 3rd instant. I gather he has relinquished the idea of preaching in Auckland on the firtt Sunday in the new year. Mr A. S. Rathbone, for some time asso ciated with the Auckland press, is pre paring for publication a fcries of chort sensational stories, the main ideas of whicl are derived from the great criminal romances of Fortune dv Boiegobey. The first is called " The Omnibus Mystery." Shipping and Passenger Notes. The New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Tongariro left Gravesend yester day with the following passengers on board: —For Auckland (first saloon): Mr S. Brooks, Mr Adam Brown, Miss Brown, Mr H. W. Chamberlain, Mr J. G. Clark, Mr K. M. Clark, Mrs and Miss Daveney, Mr and Mrs R. N. Halves, Mr and Mis Larkins, Mi?s F. Larkins, Miss 11. Larkine, Mr A. C. Moore, Mrs W. Moore, 2 childieu and maid, and Mr W. E Saw bridge. Second saloon —Mr James Barry, Miss Ellen Campbell, Mr Alfred Hodgkin son, V rs and Mita Marston, Mr G. Mel*. I'olo, Mr Frank Searson, and Miss E. Wager. Third cabin — Messrs A. J. Andrews, H. Atkinson, N. Clary, J. K. Davis, J. Drury, VV. D. Ifowen, A. Hunt, John Irvine, Jas Irvine, W. Kelly, F. G. Masters, J. McKenzie, A. Milne, J. Nicholson, H. Shackioton, A. C. Wurd, 11. Watson, Miss J. White. For Gisborne : First saloon —Mr H. ('. (ilyn. For Napier : First saloon — Rev. J. D. and Mra Knipe and family. Third cabin- Mrs C. Halso and child, Mr W. Harpham, MrC. Saunder?, wife, andfamily. For Russell: Second Kaloon—llr and Mrs J. Johnson and family.

Mr Dacre was a through passenger for Auckland in the P. and 0. steamer Bailarat, on Wednesday. The lonic, which leaves on Dec, 3, is not filling up fast in the saloon, but a good many second and third cabin passages aro being taken in her.

SPORTING NEWS.

At tho Whangarei racos on Saturday, Wideawako (lOet. lib.) won the Hurdles, Trovatoro (9st. 21bs.) being second, and Southern Chief third. Azim, Don Carlos, Cock Robin, and Claude also ran. The Kensington Park Handicap was won by Larry (Bst.), riddon by George Williams, Fishwomau (9<st ) being second, and Linda (7st. lOlbs.) third. Marquis won the Settlers' Handicap, Alaska the Selling Race, and Azini the Consolation.

At a meeting of gentlemen in tho Cri terion Hotel, O'aluihu, Mr 0. McGco pro siding, it was resolved to establish a racing club, the membership's fee of which should bo £1. Mr W. F. ISueklan-?, M.H.K., Mr C. Wallen, Vics-Presidont, Mr Follwoll, and Gordon, Secretary. The rules of the Auckland Racing Club have been adopted, and a paddock promised in which to hold the races.

PECULIAR SLANDER CASE.

(BY TF.LKORAriI—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wkllinoton, this day. Mr Andrew Young, coach proprietor, has served a writ for £5,000 damages for slander and defamation on Mr Nicholas Reid, of Messrs W. and G. Turnbull and (Jo. The slanderand defamation consists uf statements alleged to have been circulated by defend ant's wife to tho effect that Mr and Mm Young wero only recently married, and that their grown-up children were not born in wedlock.

WELLINGTON CRITICISM OF JUDGE GILLIES.

(V.V TELKGRAPH.— OWX CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, this day. The " Post" of Saturday night remarks :— "Some very extraordinary proceedings are recorded as having occurred in the Supreme Court at Auckland yesterday. The Judge of that Court is rather celebrntod for extra ordinary proceedings, but he surpassed himself yesterday, and apparently per mitted, if he did not encourage, the Grand Jury to act in a simi.ur manner. The caso in connection with which theso proceedings took p'aco is, so far as its details have been publishod, so loathsome that it is not pleasant to re fer, even indirectly, to itj but the principle involved is so serious, and the precedent esj tablishedintheAucklandCourtsodangerous, that it should not be allowed to pass with out comment. A person named Swallow was indicted for an indecent assault; the Grand Jury found that the evidence did not sustain even a prin.a facie case in regard to the legal offence, and they accordingly found no bill. Here their interference with the case should have ended, but it did not. The Grand Jury on the ex parte evidence proceeded to frame an indictment of their own for an offence not known to the law, and they preferred it viva voce through their foreman in the open Court in such a manner that the accused had no opportunity of replying to or rebutting the accusation. More than this, the learned Judge, without taking any evidence at all or giving the accused any opportunity of defending himself, forthwith found him guilty, and sentenced him to social ostracism. A more unjust proceed ing, or one more thoroughly opposed to the whole spirit of English law, cannot be conceived." It is quite possible that the charge against the prisoner was, in all its particulars, a false one. He may have had a thoroughly good defence, but he was given no opportunity to make it, and was turnod out of Court without any legal conviction or sentence against him, but not the less a branded and ruined man. We have no sympathy wit!} the particular defendant. He probably deserved everything that was said about him ; but the jury and tho Judge were entirely wrong in allowing their natural feelings of regret that the law oould not punish such offences as tho evidence disclosed to lead them to assume that the charges were true, simply because they were made, and on that assumption to punish the accused by a kind of lynch law. What has hap pened in tins case, if tolerated and allowed to pass uncommented upon, might easily happen in others, where great" injustice would bo done. We doubt whether any English Judge since tho days of the notorious Jefl'eries has ever passed an exira judicial sentonce such as Judge Gillies did yesterday."

Sewing Machines wholesale and retail.— D. S. Chambers.

_ Great success of Economy boot shops. Factory ima to be oularfted to keep up witli The demand, ttianks to public patronage.-tADvi,)

CONFLAGRATION IN CUSTOMS STREET WEST.

LAND TIMBER <O.S HULL.

£10,000 Worth of Property

Consumed

The fiercest fire and grandest pyrotechnic display that have occurred in Auckland since the days when whole streets formed a single holocaust for the devouring flames, took place on Saturday night. From 10 o'clock until 2 on Sunday morning the con-« flagration raged with the utmost vigour, and men battled with it determinedly, backed up by a copious supply of water, while thousands of people, forming a cordon round the scene of action, and extending back in closely packed numbers up the slopes to Hobson and Victoria-streets, gazed with subdued interest upon the coutest. At one time it seemed as if the devastating element must sweep tlie whole street bare, ko terrible wa3 its virulence ; but dogged determination and inceesent play with numerous leads of hose at length began'to make an impression, and from tho moment at which the onward progress of the flames received its first check, the strife turned in favour of the saviours of property. When at length the danger began to be considered over, it becamo a matter for surprise that so violent a firo, fed so liberally with seasoned fuel, should have been successfully restricted, through tho efforts of man and tho agency oj water, \ritliin so limited an area.

The Outbreak.

•■ At a quarter to ten o'clock the first notes ■"of alarm were rang out upon the factory bell in the Auckland Timber Co.'s establish ment, Customs-street Wes(, and were promptly taken up in turn by the firebells of the city and Parnell. Very soon a ruddy glare suffused the north-western sky, while an ascending column of smoke denoted the location of the flames. Queen-street was still thronged with people, and tho adjoin ing thoroughfares also were filled with family parties home ward- bound after their night's markating. By a universal impulse everyone directed his or her steps towards the scene of the fire, and through all the streets converging upon the reclamation irregular crowds ot excited pedestrians soon swept along. They took up all the points of vantage along the high ground commanding a view of the doomed mill, and likewise surged into its immediate vicinity. The night was calm, cloudless, and starlit, and the flames shot up high into the air, forming a magnificent spectacle, while the lurid smoke soared aloft in im mense volumes.

The Fire Brigades.

The fire had increased with such rapidity that the entire extent of the mill, both front and rear, from basement to roof, was in its fiery embrace before the arrival of the Fire Brigade under Superintendent Hughes, and the Salvage Corps under Captain Field, although both bodies mustered and hastened to the scene with the greatest possible ex pedition. Meantime), the fire hud also been observed from the American man-of-war Iroquois, and Captain Stirling immediately despatched Ensign Gilmour in the whale boat to tender for shore duty the services of the vessel's own brigade. Superinten dent Hughes of coursj accepted with gratitudo the timely offer, and En sign Gilmour communicated the fact to those on board by sending up a rocket. Tho cutter was at once got out, and the brigade, consisting of a score or so of men under Lieutenant Halsey, rowed off swiftly for the shore. By the time they arrived, Superintendent Hughe3 had eight leads of hose out, connected with the six inch main of tho street, and playing vigor ously upon the fl amos from thevurious points which it threatened to invade. The blue jackets lost no time in setting to work, and for the next few hours they were dis tinguished by their zeal in saving property and fighting tho flames. Captain Stirling subsequently informed the Mayor that had ho imagined the fire was so extensive he would have sent all his cre'.v on shore, ex cepting the few who were required for the Cire of the vessel. Unnecessary Alarm. At an early stago of the fire many shop keepers, upon learning its contiguity to tho gasworks, turned off the gas in their pre mises fearful lest an explosion should ensuo. For the famo reason the vast multitudes of people who camo to the firo were careful to give the Gas Co.'s works a wide berth, and consequently tho duty of the police under Sercrt. Pratt in keeping the ground clear for tho Fire Brigades and Salvage Corps was not attended with much difficulty Familiarity, however, breeds contempt, and after midnightj'tho continued security of tho gasometer co effectually dispelled all fear of untoward consequences from that quarter that tho task of keeping buck tho curious <r.>\vds became increasingly difli cult. Fire Extinction Operations. When Superintendent Hughes arrived upon tho ground it needed but a glance to assuro himeolf that the eventuality of greatest danger was that of the extension of the ilames towards the extensive premises of the Auckland Timber Company, adjoining those of the New Zealand Timber Company on its western side. He therefore took up his own position on that side, assisted by Branchmen Heaps, Moore, and Tindlay, who, with their mer, scaled the burning stacks of timber and resolutely held possesjion as long ns they could, con testing every inch of space as they were slowly driven backward. Here likewise the employes of the Auckland Timber Co , under Messrs Geo. Holdship (manager), W. C. Daldy, junr. (secretary), Foreman Priestley, Peter Smith (engineer), and others gave very valuable assistance. On tho eastern side senior Fireman Harley and junior Fireman Clarke, with their con tingent of men, carried on the warfare against the consuming element, ably assisted by Messrs Frank Jaggar, W. Parker, Herbert and Edwin (Jan; the employes of the N.Z. Timber Co., and some of the sailors, the chief object being to save as many stacks of timber on that side as was possible, and to assure the safety of the office as well as of the three-masted schooner Frank Guy, which was lying alongside the wharf behind the office laden with coke for Napier. A cutter which Mr D. Gouk had upon his Blip was also threatened. On the southern side the principal point of danger was the Gas Company's premises, .\hich were guarded by a large number of their em ployes. _ Fortunately the flow of water was c >pious. An eleven hours' supply was in tho reservoir at tho Wtstern Spring.", and shortly after the fire broke out His Worship thp Mayor despatched the turn cock (MrCarlaw) in a cab to the Western Springs to direct the engineer at the pumping statian to commence pumping into the city reservoirs. The consequence was an ample pressure of water. Such was the strength of the flames, however, and so intense their heat, that the water poured upon them from a dozen quarters seemed not to make the alightost impression, being thrown off in clouds of steam. The Culminating Point. At eleven o'clock the conflagration was at its height, and the spectacle was super latively grand. Locking shoreward from the low ground of the reclamation,the rising f round in front seemed a vast amphitheatre lied to overflowing with human life. A Bea of heads met the gaze wherever one looked in that direction, Dignan'a paddock in Hobson-streot was crowded, and so too weie Upper Wyndhamstreet and Hobson streets, Kel?on-&treet,and Hardinge-street, while the verandah of every house in the vicinity had its group of sightseers. From Nelson-street the vast throng extended in close array down and along Customs street Sheds and heaps of stones were topped by adventurous spirits, the rigging of the ad jacent vessels swarmed with human beings and boats of all kinds appeared upon ihe water on the westerr,» 9 ide of the wharf. The scene at this time was one which cannot readily be forgotten. The fierce and writhing flumes coverod a con siderablo area of ground, throwing up athwart the deep blue of the moonless sky oolumns of thick lurid smoke, while the strong glare brought out into bold relief church steeple* and other notable land marks. From tho very centre of the arena where tho fl imes toseed and rnged towered high the lofty chimney of the devoted mill. On the stacks of timber which stood between the western flank of the fire and the Auckland Timber Company's factory nen were planted, some with lengths of hose directing water upon the sea of flame and others passing buckets from one to another. So powerful was the heat that those with hoses on the street beneath had fre quently to turn tho water upon them in order to keep their clothes from being burnt. Often, too, stacks of timber ignited ut their base and began to blaze up while men were mounted upon them trying with redoubled cfo.tto stay back the encroach iig tide of destruction. Further back sev eral lengths of hoso belonging to the Auckland Timber Company-who by the way, had property valued at £40,000 ' ,

pounds at stake—were kept playinJfil the roof of their factory, the eSwB water being caught from the gntto^M in an open tank, whence it was agaißJnW for use by a bucket brigade along (It^H Company's premises. i'ratectfcd^tfll and iron, however, they did not offer^B temptation to the flames, wMle t midnight a lucky change i v tlia^sS added farther to their eccmity SS nothing was left to chance. Tins a*. I^B worked unremittingly, under Mr H iffim son. (manager) ar.d Mr Parto-irml secretary), to keep the exterior 'MeH ■ H rated with water. Fu.iti .the t iweroSl scrubbnr, buckets of water wtrn j Ji over the front, the pumps kept Jsf regular i-tream, and leads of hose n! upon the purifiers, offices, and f«S It was at tlio tastcrn hide, howevev'wfcl tho strength of the contending ktyat exerted from this stage onward time after the fire broke out, a gentle*? sprang up from tho westward £ gradually freshening, kept the flames!., easterly direction. Tne difficulty "tk "*B fore, was to prevent its furtherencrS ment on this side, as the safety oi theoffijl and the buildings further on, inoinjpi Mr Gouk's ship-yard and the wharf 3 the Frank Guy at anchor in low water I bound up together. Leads, of h m lM sizes from the tiniest squirt to the inch Ml a quarter " controlling nozzle" WMe S in constant service, and buckets werejj I in requisition. One stack of timber Si the water, and nearest the whmf w fp| particular object, of attention. F 0I ! ?fl time a number of boys with buckets ke« fiamea there at bay, but at leujltlr portion of the Brigade, wi£h H^SSiE! equipments, had to turn theiratwrnS? it. Ajpng the whole eastern ti&tt battle raged fiercely from 11 tiBi42,J^'* Dingor to Shippings '• * At one .period, it^',seemed as if ijjjjisi could withstand tße progress nf thsS and hasty preparations were made"t<r2 the schooner. With the aid of the. Ai&aS! sailors the sails were unbent from they^S and warps taken out for the purpose of 3 ing her i-ito thestieam as soon as ixsssJtls. red hot cinders us large as eggo wiSi; conding in showers in the viciuiiyofffi veseol, and as the flames were steal! eating their way along the woodeaS? there was too much reason to fearti^S' rescue of the vessol was next to napa^M Snme one on tho wharf suggested thagifil sails should be unbent, and -in Vffui' minutes the yard and rigging :Of|Mi schooner were thronged with peracwisS with commendable alacrity, assisted^E American sailors and crow of the vtesaf taking down the sails and conveying ih*S to n place of safety. Bucket brigades mi then organieed, and every portion of Z vessel with her rigging was kepk'iS drenched with water, while at thelfe time warps were got out, and preparation! made for hauling her out from hirS carious position when the tide hadliSi sufficiently. Forty or fifty thoußimilito of timber, principally twelve i'b/dijjjj beams, were stacked at the eastern.fejj|& the New Zealand Timber Computf wharf, and a start was made by Captaiulj Roy, Lieutenant Parker, Messrs Eagletojt Spencer, and others to throw -tafrt valuable stacks into the sea. After niaij thousands of feet had been thus rettM from the danger of burning, someotn apparently in authority stopped thesew meant efforts, and through that interferes a quantity of valuable timber was subs quently burnt. A hastily-constra<|j floating boom of planks unitedtifi||| ropes prevented the escape joi%, timber that was on the Eastward of the New Zealsis Timber Company's premises is the mi building yard and slip of Mr Gouk. ■ iti surface of the yard was thickly: covem with chips, while the old cutter Sti^Ji on the njip. Tlio descent of cinders aa sparks already alluded to was a rampai element of danger, and the greatest*!*! anco was required to prevent afire breaVhi out. . Buckets of water drawn fron^i harbour were called into requisifionj'u the yard and deck of the cutter kep@ moist as possible. A sempcon of dan| lent zest to the labours of thoi employed in Gouk's yard and on-St] eastern end of tho wharf. The sfctsi issues from the mill boilers shrien horribly, and formed a fitting aocam^ ment to the roar and havoc of the ft-im( while at any moment, it was feared, a $ rible explosion might be caused byl superheated steam.

By Midnight . 9 hopes wore beginning to he entortaia that the eastward progress of the fire woo be stayed. The fire was burning fierce along a line drawn from tho wharf to\( Customs-street entrance to the mill yoi but for lial£-an-hour past it had not gain much, an inch and a-half nozzle held* short range by two stalwart policemen d ing excellent service. But success was si uncertain. Tons of water would be throi on seme point of a burning stick, and * flames apparently subdued. No soohi however, had the lead of he been moved to operate1 on some other, pai than the flames would burst forth wi intense fury, and so for some time t struggle with the flames went on wi varying success. The chief point ! interest about this time was the west* side ef the conflagration. Between t blazing mass that an hour or two ago h betn tho fine milloftheNew Zealand Timl Company, and the Auckland Timber Cpi pany's mill, was a succession of stacks timber belonging to the last named cti pany. Several of these were forty or 8J feet high, and composed principally? timber suitable for weather boarding, iiivp ing, &c. Despite the strennous eflbr made, tho flames extended to these stads the fire raging most fiercely at a stack clo to the roadway, and at a stack- nei the water's edge. A great heap of bundli shingles on the wharf also caught fire, v-(g the damnge at the last-named point wi minimised by the throwing of a numbed the bundles overboard. On a large slat near the street a lad in the uniformflf mercantile marine apprentice had stutfoitt himself, hrsein hand, and there he£ts bravely for hours battling with the w To his plucky and well-directed eflorts U checking of the fire at this point is main! due. Fireman Findlay, Mr Francis, :SMr and other fireman and civilians also ,10 dered good service at this stack. 'X branchmau at the second large stack oßtt line shotted wonderful indurance. M«d in hand he stood on a burning pile of tjffili within a few feet of the flamesy wjiS almost appeared to lap his body. flis k and whiskers were singeing but he quaile not, nor did he recede an inch. A'row williug helpers passed buckets cf WBjjs along with tho regularity of a machine, at the brave fireman saved from being roaafi to death at his post by copious libationt sea water. On the roof of the Aueklii Timber Company's mill about a scortf;( willing helpers had congregated. Tbw by means of hoses and buckets, saturaff the building. Several of these workersJi narrow esoapes from falling through tb glass sky-lights, one or two of Wflfc ■were broken by the unwary tieadinji^j them. We would press on the air« tors of the Company the necessity:';; having these windows rendered seou»"| means of iron bars or wire netting. Abf» 12.30 the men of the Iroquois under Ljeffl Halsey relieved the firemen at the eaiSl end, and Superintendent HugbesVudji manders" partook of refreshments provkfti with unstinting band by the direction of ti Auckland Timber Company. At half-pM 2 o'clock the workers succeeded in mn| the progress of the flames in the centre;* tho last line of stacks. At 3 o'clock thetMl of tho Iroquois, having been "refresba}' by Superintendent Hughes at trleespffi hotel, were marched off to their vessel amidst cheers from the assembled crowd* All through the night and Sunday forenpbl the Fireßrrgade kept the water going ontfci debris. About ten o'clock in tne moniiiij they were relieved by the employees of tin mill and returned to the station, aftti having been on duty for fourteen hours. j§ How the Fire Broke Out

Upon this point nothing definite! knuwn. The cause of the outbreak:-i enshrouded in mystery. As usual the bttu of the New Zealand I'imber Co.'c worknw? knocked off work at one o'clock on Satnr day afternoon, and some of the ovenW? left a little later, the customary precaution! being taken to ensuro the safety of tw premises. At six o'clock one of the watelf; men, named Denny, was reliovod by anothej named John Mills. According to the latter) was at the seaward point of tho mill '*ftfl 9.30 when he perceived fire in the uppfl story, noar the paint room. He rinhaos the front, raited an alarm, and upon beijg joined by some men, helped them to fix tw Company's hose on to the hydrant. Mean while theflameshaJextendedalonetheuppO floor, and were bursting through the vm Two men named Gus Corbett and H. Gram* gave other versions which do not exacwj coincide. They aver that they were walking the street past the mill, where they noticW fire in the centra of the building, not M from the front. Graden says that herwhw over and pave the alarm to the watetnosW whom h© found sitting on a bench at wS b;jck, with his lantern beside kim*'.'Qil bttt, who went upstairs and securefHji mannger's books, declares that he saw tM watchman excitably rush from the wl with his hat off. Cuptain MeDonaldi *"9

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 1885



T) K. IT A I N E S. I beinß about to visit Kuropo for twolvo months, has arranged with Dr. Macmullan to take charge of his practice during hifl absence. PR. MACMULLAN will uttend at Mr Shar land's daily, at usual hours, for consultation, nnrt at Dr. Hainos's private residence, Albert Park, in the evening MP> B. lIOMBERG, Professor of Mump, Upper Pitlst. (opposite Public Baths). GUANO ! GUANO ! ! GUANO ! ! ! On S a i.e. 120 TONS LONG ISLAND GUANO, Por Fanny Thornton, now discharging. \V. AXD G. WIN'STONK. GREAT CLEARING SALE !!! PREVIOUS TO REMOVING TO NKW PKEMISKS. MILNE & CHOYCE j Respectfully beg to announce that in order to enter uoon their New Promises (now ap proaching completion) with an i ENTIRELY MEW STOCK, | They have decided to offer THE WHOLE OF THEIR PRESENT WELL-KNOWN VALUABLE STOCK ' AT SUCH A REDUCTION IN" PRICK AS WILL ENSURE A SPEEDY CLEARANCE. EVERY ARTICLE IN THE HOUSE WILL BE QUITTED. ThO SHOP will bo CLOSED on THURSDAY, Bth INSTANT, For the purpose of MARKING DOWN. SALE commences FRIDAY, 9th inst. AX EARLY CAM IS SOLICITKI). MILNE & CHOYCE, WELLKSLEY-STREET. TFyon aronervoiiß take Wolfe's Schnapps. rfTo MEET THE TIM XS. In consequeneo of so many Drautra Solling-off at Cost Price and Under, and not wisbiutt to be Undersold, and having Bought a Large Lot of Cheap Job Lines, I w 11 give inj- Customers some Great Bargains, wliich inspection will fully bear out:— Splendid Stock White Calico, from 2s lid doz 1 000 yds Good Grey Culieo, 2d, worth 3d, or Is lid doz 500 yds Strong Wide Flannel, IOJd, worth la 3d Strong Wido Blue Scree, 7'd yd Balance Summer Stock of Prints, to clear at Cost Price 1,000 yds Plain and Printed Sateens, nice pat terns, at Cost flO Cloth Tablecovers, printed and embroidered. to clear; 20 *.' disccunt oIV marked price A Largo Stock of Dress Goods, in all shades and materials, very much reduced in price, from 2}d yd 130 Pairs Blankets, very much reduced, lo clear Large Stock of Umbrellas from Is 6d, Children's Strong Oatmeal Cloth, sjd yd 1,500 yds Ginghams, nice patterns, from J^d. worth 8:1 Hush Hats. 2.'.d; Larpce Lot Children's Thread G'ovea from :>d pair 10.COO doz Buttons, reduced to I'd doz. A Great Bargain ?,:0 doz Girls' and Women's Kosis-ry from 6d pair, worth double 51 Men's Strong Tweed Coats, Cs 9d ; do Trou sers 4a lid pair Men's Tweed Trousers and Vests, Ts lid; i>o Men's Strong Tweed SuiU. 193 Bd Boys Knlckcr Suits from is (ki; Boys' Tweed Suits. long trousers, '5a Men's Cotton Shirts from Is; do White Shirts, 3s 3d Men's Strong Flann 1 Shirts and Drawers, 2s 3d Hoys' Felt Hats, Is Gd; Men's do, 2s Larue Lot of Boys' Si raw Hats, to clear, from 9d (half-pric) Large Lot of Remnants, marked very low, to C WILLIAM R. BRIDGMAN, JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, 288, UPPER QUEEN-STRBET. ) WE JTRNISII HOUSES THROUGHOUT. — —• rGARLICK & CRANWKLL'3 is TnE CHEAP FURNISHING WAREHOUSE. 1 JUST OPENED, Beautiful Assortment BRUSSELS TAPESTRY, KIDDERMINJSTER CARPETS. SPLENDID LOT BEDSTEADS, Just Received, " IRON AND BRASS, NICKEL-PLATED. ■ ■ QARLICX AND QRANWELL, FURNISHING WAREHOUSE. QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND. mHE BEST IS THE CHEAPEST. ALL GOODS SOLD BY npHE "jl/TELBOURNE TTVRAPERY AND /CLOTHING riOMPANY AXE GUARANTEED GENUINE AND OP STERLING WORTH. THESE AXE FACTS. YOU ARE INVITKD TO TE3T FOR YOURSELVES. COSTUMES, MANTLEB> MILU™ LACES, RIBBONS, DRESS MATERIALS, SILKS, SATEENS, HOSIERY, HABERDASHERY, MANCHESTER GOODS, BLANKETS, MEN'S and BOYS' CLOTHING, MEN'S and BOYS' MERCERY, MEN'S and BOYS' HATS. MARSHALL'S special Tincture of Podophyllurn is the best known remedy for all disorders arising from the stomach and liver. Price, Is.—C. YV. Goodson, London Arcado, Sole Agent for Auckland. X G. HENDERSON'S t» • CHERRY PECTORAL. 4fl Bd, 2s 6d, Is 6d per-bottle. To be|had only at Medical Hall. Ponßonby. opposite Three Lamps, WO R M S. All children suffer from them. If suspected, ask for the Certain Cure. SHARLAND'S WORM POWDERS, Is packet Apothecaries' Hal opposite Poet-office,