COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &co., To-night.

Abbott'a Opera Hmne-MacMffb.*! and Lcitch Company, in " Cur Iljye."?. City Hall—_o2ia an^. F_;*ral'Combination. 8. 103. Qu3en-Btre_-&xhlbition of Glaaa blowing, 7.3 U. iHo!igiouß Hwcting in iho Tent on Surrey Hills •Eatat . Ponsonby Road, 7.30. EHSvangeliatlc Service, YM.C.A. Rooms —Ad- drossea by Roy. T. Ada.s and the Hon. G. Waldograve, 7.30. iGlaaaworka, Frnemari'a Bay — Exhibition of Glas3blowing,'2 till 5. Drill-ahed—Meeting of Volunteers to ccnaldor question nf attending Eaater Encamp, out to . tho held at Taronaki, 8. 'S'oinpe_.nco Hall—ConvtPrsS.ttOnal Temporance Meeting,!!.

Auction Sales on Monday.

i!. J. Jones—FuVnituro, &c, Arthur and Suddle—Jewellery, Books, Cloth ins, eta. 11.

Rota, of Justices at Police Court.

January <j-W. McCullough andC. C.MoMllla .

Sunday Services.

KOTE.—Thc services arc nt the usual hours, unless tc-ken ethcrttrisc stated. IVhcn only one preacthet^s narme is ffii-icn, he officiates at both _irte of worship ,* when more than one, they officiate at the sci :ticcs in the order named.

Rt, Paul'a—lncumbent. Br, Matthew's—lncumbent. All Saint-i'—lncumbent. at. Sepulchre's—lncnmbent. City Hall-Evangelistic Service. 8. Kpiphany—lncumbent. Pitt-BtreetWosleyan—Revs.>C. H.Garland and J. D. Jory. St John's Wealoyan—Revs. H. Bu'l and C H. Garland. Oratton Road Wesleyee—ttovs. J. D. Jory and 18. Bavin. Parnoll WesleySn—ReV. R Bavin and Mr W. Brakonrig. Devoaport Wefployan—Rov. H. R.D_vabnry. Mount Albert Wesloyan—Messrs A. C Brown and W. F. Tuckor. Dovonport Congregational Church—Morning at p

11. evening at 6.3!). | New Uhurch Services—Foreatera' Hall, Karau _ ihapo Road, 11. . bbott'B Opera House—Mr Geo Aldi-tage. Auckland Tflbofnao'o—Pdator T. Spurgeon. Parnell Gengregational — RCVs. J. Selby and H. _ Miller. St. Petnr'a Preabyterlin Church, Surrey Hills—; Ear. R. SommerVillo. Congregational Chu:cb, Bereaford-street-Rev. | T. Adams. Newton Gongregational — Mossra 3. -Knolt and Marah«ll. sen. V.M.C.A. Rooma—Rev. .1. S Hill, S p.m. Rj'.lgiona Meetings in the Tent on Surrey Hills Estate, Ponsonby Road, 3 and 7 p.'.'.i. St, Goorge'a Rah. Newton—lion. G. Walde grave, 615. 3. Audtaw'a, Alten Roid—Rev. A. Carrlck. Mottnt Eden Congregational —Mr Ralph; Stewart. Alexandra _reot Primitive Methodlßt—Rev. A. US. Smitli nnd Mr W. Beaumoftp. Pitt nnd ttdwin-atreo a Primitive Mothodlst— Mr J. Jonfcin and ltev. A. J. Smith. Unlttd Freo Methodist Churoh. Pitt and Vincent Btroeta—Rev. S. Macfarlane and Mr H. Field. Mount Eden United Free Methodist—Mosara J. Brume aad J. K. Roberta. Protestant Hall— CUrtstidelphians, 11 a m. Mour.t Eden Bapri-t—Pastor T. Bray. St, Bamabas'a. Mount Kd :n—The new Incuni %>ent <Uar. T.H Sprott). • Avond. o Hall—Divine Servioe. at 8.50 p.m. Ponw?niiy Baptist—Messrs Fry and Vines. St. David'a Preabyterian—Mr S. B. Fellows. Christians,' Meeting House, Surrey Hillfl — Divine Servioe. 6 30 p in. Franklin Road Primitive Methodist—Rev. C. E. Ward Richmond Roid Primitive Methodißt Church- Rev C. E. Ward and Mr Whltcombe. Waterview Primitive Mcthodbt Church.— Mr W. ThompaotK

Chief Post- office, Auckland.

Mails will close as under;— This Day. For Ruaecll, Kawakawa, Fiji, etc., por Arawata, at S p.m. Monday. 10th lout, _oz "Wttitara and Scntbon. ports, per Qallloch, at 11 a m. _or London, via Rio 4t> Janeiro, and Plymouth (per AoraDgi, from Wellington, on 13th lnat), •will close at this ofllce, on Monday, 10th lnat. Mail will tun duo nt Plymouth, February 21. For Putikt end Ooromundel, per Coromandel, I rvt 11,_ a.m. Thainoa, per Rotomahana, at 1 p m. Por Whitlanga, Upper Mill, and Tairua, por Xona, at 1 p.m. Vor OpotikL per Cholmsford. at 1 p . . For Ru=aoll, Kawakaw*, Raweno, Wangaroa, and Mongonul, per Clar,en«?n, at 5 p m. For Thamaa, por Enterpriat.., at 5.30 p.m. TuespaT. 11th Inst. ?"or Waiwcra, Hawau, Loigh, Omaha, Mata liao-i, Mullet Point, and Lower Matakana, per Roan Casey, at 10 a.m. For Wangiret Hoaila. Parua, Wainu, Whan garei, Kamo, and Mangapai, par Wellington, at 3 p.m. For Giaborne and Napier, per Australia, at a p.m. ; Per Wairarapa aa followa j— For Cnuia. Janan. Suez, and Continent ol Europe, at 3 p.m. For Ruaaell, Kawa Kawa, Australian Colo cloa, and United Kingdo.n via Brindisi. or Naplo.i (pir Orient att-amer). for letters, .etc. specially so prepaid and addressed, at 4 V.m. For monoy or'ers, registered letters, and newepapo. , at 3 p.m. Lato letters for Sydney and Molbourno only at 4.20 p.m. The Unitod Kingdom mail will be due at London on March 1, 1837. For Australian Colonies, per Zalandia, Imme diately after her arrival Irom Honolulu For Taranaki and Southern Ports, per Hawea, immediately after arrival ot Zeaiandia. (Signed) 3. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster. Chief Post-offloe. Auckland.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Sunset.—This evening. 7.18. Sunrise.—To-morrow morning, 4 67. Moon's AGs .-Full Moon, 10th, 10 11 a.m.

HIGH WATER.

Auckland — This evening, 5 ; to-morrow tn'rning, 5 38. . . Manokad Heads — This evening, 7,10 ; to morrow morning. 8 18. K_iiPARA Heaps -Thiß evening, 810; to morrow morning, S.lB.

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY. Aratapu, brigantine. Bower, from Tairua Regain, ship, from London

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVH_ING. Clansman, s.s., Farquhar, for Tauranga "Wuitikl, S.S., Pennal, for Giaborne lona, b.b., Amodeo, for Mercury Bay Ulenelg, a.s., Johnson, for Whangarei

STEAMERS TO ARRIVE.

Coromandal, from Coromandel, to-da", o p.m. Rotomahana. from Tnaroea, to-day, 10 p.m. Wellington pfro. Whangarei, to-night lona from Mercury Bav,-to-nUht i 1 iM-msn, from Tauranga, Sunday, early _m landia from San Francisco, due Tainul. from London, Feb 13. Rnapehu, from London, via South, March Australia, from Giaborne, Bunday Wairarapa. from Melbourne and South, Mon day morning Manapouri, from Sydney, Tuesday early

IMPORTS.

Per Yolande : 632 tona ooal.

Per Rakala: Plain cotton 3, £300; coloured cottons. _1C0: woollens and worsteds, _ 100; flannels, £100; linen in bales, £100; linen in caae, £100; cotton and woollens, £100; haber dashery, £700; cotton and linen ehirts, £300; nnuarol, £100; blankets. £i 00; caroets and rngs, £1C0; earldlery. £100: aheathlng felt, £30; floor cl.iih. £560; table baize, £70; aewing-macbinea, £2); blacking. £20 ; agricultural implements. £70- a^coltaral m»ohinery. £1,0; rails and general machinery, £100: book", £90; papor, 135!) cwt.; stationery. £290; horaehair and seating, £10; upholstery. £850; iron bad stoada. £130; tinware. £10; bruahware, £30; plated and papier niaohe goods, £35; toyp, £130; plan_ , £1,310; corteß. £20; clocks and watches, £10; porfumery, £10; printing materials, £20; iiErictiltural and garden seeds, £10; clay pipes. sf_ other fort.,£. ; Iron tanks, £10; chain and anchors, 3 t ins; hardware cutlery, £2,800; bor and rod Iron, 2 tons; sheet Iron, 3 tona; plate iron, I ton; pig iron, S tonB; galvaoiaed Iron. 5G tons; aneet lepid, 9 tona; tin platea. 40 boxea; ingot tin. 5 __. ; iron nails, 19 tons; wire and wire rope, 4 tonB; zinc, 2 tons; Unseed oil 2 490gal!s ; kerosine and naptha. 50zalla ; v-ai-niah. £10; whiting. 12 tona: paint cploura, £100- glue, fiewc: flint glaßa. £160; foreign window glass, £519; plate glass, loase; china nnd earthenware. £1.200; glass bottles, _.0- wool"paoks. £10; bran and .flour bags, £«0: canvas, £90; cordage. £60; lines and twlnea £30 ; cement. 200 tjarrela; cigars, 2201b»; brundy in bulk. 300 gallons: brandy In caae, 35 0 cations ; mm, 170 ga'lons; Geneva. 1.3c0 gallons; British spirits In bulk, 30 gallons: British apirita in ca*e 1710 gallons; perfomed spirit, 70 gal lons - red wine, 770 aallona; whito wine, 310 gal lore ! preserved flab, not rated, £40; oardine?. _eao- assorted oilmen'B etores, £190; mineral water £t00: vinegar. 2 770 gallons; foreiftn aalnil oil 350 gallons, cocoa, 340wt.; ißing.ass, £ 0- niastard. £170 ; starch,£'2o; eodacrystals, 12 tons • bicarb., 20 tons; allicate, 5 tona; candles, lt&swti soap, oewt; Frfn-.h nluma. 3owt: re fiaed sugar. lOcwt; glu. cose and sacharum. 42owt • conf eotloniry and peel, £160: apothecary __?« £100; tart. acid. lOowt; condensed milk, £"M; carnflTOr, £50; canary Beed, lajowt; „L' 13 to-3; cotton waate. 1 ton; palm oil, l°on. Total value, £11,300.

The s.s. Arawati will loavo for Fiji at o p.m, on Sunday. .

A harauo supposed to bn tho Killarner, from Meibou?ne bound for tho Thames, waa In com pany with tho Yolando yesterday. Tho brigantlne Aratanu arrived from Tairua lhl< morning, wl'h n fnil corgo of timber for the Union Saßh and Door Company.

The Bcboonbr Yolando. which arrived irom Nnwcaßtle laat evoning. barthed at tha Bugar C_££tn"?B wharf. Bhe had a very stormy vovattß. and lost three men overboard. Parti euiara ippear In another column.

pilnte Coooar and Sainty have chattered tho s b Rowena with the intention of carrying put She uilot service in competition with Pilot McGillivray on the Awhina, and also for towing purposes, _ o.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Hawea. 8.8.. Hanfiby, from the South

The Union Co.'s B,s. Hawea 482 tons, Captain j Hanaby. arrived irom the South at 6.30 a in. SmUtT Basaengere: -Meaers Miller, Cole. Guln SSfL Tevena, Wlldman, Stamp, Dawaon, M_dames Coife. Guinness. Wilkle. Knuckey, Patterson. Dawson. . elly. Rodgers and Infant, r£_sS.Me_. Corfef Bald. Todd, Wooloot, j Gu'lnnesß, Kltkpatilck, Dawson, Wridht, Kelly. Rogers, Perm. Clark, Coleman, Tonlee j andlOstterage-"

I Tho Gali'lbtiti Wa coming up the harbour aa we gr. to press. ; TrTe Oretl left Wanganlil fqr Onehunga at 7 pm. last night. She will arrlvo tbla evening, and leave again at 3 p.m. on Tuesday for Nop Pli mouth aud WanganuL . Toe Hawea is to retnrn South Bhortlr after the arrival of the R.M.S. Zealandia. Sho will have the following passengers :—Misses Barker, Held, Studwiok, Jakina. Flnlay, Brenner, Dralto, Kemp, and Bartley, Meadameß Fuilay, Tonka, . J and Drake. Meaara Drake 12). Frtedlander. Mobs. -, Hendry, Gale, Jaklns, Edgar, Herbert, and - Washburn.

KAIPARA SHIPPING.

Helensville, thia day.—Arrived, ut Helens vllle, yesterday : Brigantlne Parnell, fro** Launcea'on. bailed, for Melbourne" . rff: Albert the Good.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

TaVkatrok, .thra day. — Arrived: 'Clansman, Iroin Auckland, 7.50 a.m. W6XNtA_Ji. thia day. — Arrived: Glenilg, from Auckland, oarly. New Plymouth January 7.—Arrived: Qalr | lech, from Onehunga, 10.30 p.m. Nai'iek, this day.—Sailed: Canterbury, shib, for London.

THE " STAR" CIRCULATION.

Auckland, 7th January, ISS7. We hereby certify that we have <••'-' ---amincd the Books and Vouchers of (he "EVENING STAR" Newspaper for he year ISS6, with the following re sults : — Number of Copies issued to the public and actually circulated for Ihe year ending olslDecember, ~_ _^~ . . , yirintj an average daily issue of J0,T92, The issues for the year ISBS were S,£oJ,i)9~, giving an average tlaily issue 0f10,4.91. This shows an average daily INCREASE of 301 copies. ,INO. MILNE ( I'ttblle J. WAY MOUTH i Accountants.

Deaths.

DUNCAN.-On Deem, er 11 IS. , at Us rtsl donee, Miry street, Mount Eden, baiuuel, toe bolovoil husbiit-cl ol Margaret Duncan, lit overeeer cf Dunedln Gael. 1J .11 ply regretted by a hirge circlo of friends.—Lyttelton and Dunedln pavers pleaao copy. LKA.NING.-On January 5, at her residence, back of Tabernacle, Mary Lcauin? ; nycl 70 years. Th-i funeral will take placo ton orrow <._ in day) afternoon, leaving tho Tabernac'.c at 3 30 for Symontls-atroet Cemetery.

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

SATURDAY. JANUARY 8, 1887.

For tho cause th.it t .!-.» assistance, i-'or the wrony that needs -iPSisUmce, For the future in the distance, And the good that wo cun do.

Sm Julius Vogel, according to a Dunedin telegram, has adopted a rather novel mode of testing the argumentative valuo of his speech delivered recently under the auspices of the Dunedin Protection League. The speech was unmercifully criticised by the two leading journals of Dun edin, and the Colonial Treasurer proposes to settle the controversy by putting the points at issue to an umpire, lie has issued a challenge through tho local Protection League, calling upon the Dunedin newspapers to refute and rebut tho arguments he advanced. The judge to decide the matter may be outside the colony, but must not be a partisan of either Protection or Free Trade, aud if the decision goes against Sir Julius Vogel, he will give £10 to tho Benevolent Institution. The reference of such a question to ar bitration is absurdly impracticable. Only a man deeply versed in political economy would be competent to judge, and any man thus qualified must hold strong convictions for or against Free Trade. But even if a qualified judge were found, with a mind abso lutely colourless, and yet with brain massive enough to settle off-hand this vast question, which has occu pied the attention of the most acute minds of the age, and filled libraries, there would yet be an insuperable obstacle arising out of the waut of definiteness in Sir Julius Vogel's own views. The Treasurer's speech at Dun edin was generally interpreted as evinc ing a desire to please both parties. To the Free Trader he said, practically, " I agree that in theory you are right that there is no assailing the economic soundness aud logic of your position ; but as a matter of expediency wo must adopt a protective tariff in order to pre vent our population from leaving us." If we rightly interpret Sir Julius Vogel's views on the subject then there would be no essential prin ciple to submit to the arbitrator. If a man holding tenaciously to Free Trade principles,the umpire would deny that the imposition of taxation was the right way to permanently improve the condition of a population ; but he could hardly deny that the effect of such a tariff would for a time be to stimulate production in certain direc tions, and lead to the employment of a greater number of hands, who would cither be drawn from tho surplus labour of the colony or diverted from other pursuits. That a time must come when the limits of production and consumption balance, and when fluctuations on either side would cause prosperity or depression,tin Protection ist would hardly deny. Experience in Protectionist countries proves it. There is no sovereign remedy for the evils of glutting and scarcity. But it appears more natural to look for one in free distribution and a more equal division of profits than in isolation. But the whole |question as it relates to New Zealand is narrowed down very considerably. We are not solving' problems for the world, nor are we in _ position to fill the r6le of philantlire- j pists. We have for our own good to j grapple with circumstances that are exceptional; ijnd here we think Sir

Julius Vogcl has got his feet on somo- j thing like solid ground, What is the | ' present position of the colony 1 It in this. For many yours tho Government have been borrowing largely and employing largo bodies of people. They have come to the end of thoir tether and must cease borrow ing, and turn thoir employes, many of thorn imported at the public expense, adrift into the already over stocked channels of genoral employ ment. What is to become of them \ Agriculture is languishing for want of local markets, and industrial enterprise Hags because it cannot compete with the cheap labour markets and organised 1 .anuf acturiug enterprise abroad. What is to be done, then 1 The Free Trader would say that must be settled by _ natural laws ;if population is _ not wanted in one place it should shift to another. This reply we feel sure will not be accepted by the masses of tho people, who wield the voting power in New Zealand, and Sir Julius Vogel sagaciously perceives that the pressing problem of making an immediate living has far more students than the abstract theories of ultimate good to the whole human race. He understands that the cabinetmaker whoseos his calling ruined by continual shipments of foreign fur niture will exclaim " shut it out," and that ho will bo followed by hundreds of otbers in a similar position. There is another thing also which the Government have to consider, though the people individually may not givo it much weight. \V*e cannot afford to lose our population. They represent so much per head of public debt, on which they have to pay so much per head iv taxation. Tlie creditor is not a figment that can bo swept away by any theory. Therefore it is a matter of life and death to New Zealand to keep her population hero and well employed, and in order to do so the demand for extra duty to encourage particular branches of industry must lie conceded. Thero is no doubt about that. But in carrying but such a policy we do not hold with Sir Julius Vogel that small increases of duty will sudice. These merely take so much moro out of the pockets of the people without benefiting industry. When a duty is im posed avowedly for Protective pur poses it should bo of such a sub stantial character as will accomplish the object for which it is sanctioned, and not come as a cunningly-devised scheme to increase taxation and swell n. lading revenue. New Zealand is heavily taxed already, ami the proper way to lill the gap between revenue and expenditure is by paring oil the excrescences on our extravagant sys tem of (lovci'imient.

Auckland College and Grammar School.

As familiarity breeds contempt, sd con

tiguity with its opportunities for micro scopical examination and hyper-criticism sometimes engenders a feeling of dbsitis-

faction with persous and institutions. Any -0:10 who i. married will apprceiato tho truth in it? porp>onal aspect, ond a? (o tho oilier, 0 capitcl eximple is provided by tho Ancklaiui Collego and Grammar School, as judged by somo people in tho district. That excellent institution has Yen sub jouled loa good deal of condemnation of Into nn tho part of thoeo who .lowed, their fa.ill finding instincts to outrun their cii.-* ---crimination nnd prudence; but it is gratifying to find tint a competent and unbiassed judt-o baa pronounced iho echool to bo mo . efficient. Roy. .1. Habeas, tho Inspector-Genoral of Now Zealand,makes tlio following remarks in hi.-> report on education concerning tho Auckland I'ol let-c an 1 Grammar Schcol :—" October Bth, ISSS. Tho number nf pupila has sull'oiod considerable diminution sinco my list visit. I fail to obwvo anything in iho management nr course of ii.atruciion to account for this Except in point of number*, I think tho achor I has been for some yoara steadily improving, and I havo never beon better pleated with it than on tho occasion of thia vitit. 1 considor that tho instruction given lure ia very .systematic, accurate, and thorough." Nothing more eulogistic than this could bo said regarding the quality of the tuition imparted at tho inatitution named, and Iho report* should effectually silenco tho'. •■ ho illogically contend that tho falling ..If in tho attendance must bo dtio to a lowering of tho standard of efficiency. It ia true that the number of pupils has cuff. Ed reduction ; but if tho ungtnoious theory of (he school's detractors wcro true, wo should expect to find an in ereiso in (ho number of pupils at similar institutions in Hie city, instead of which it ia found that a do croaso has taken place ull round - tho Church ot England Grammar School at Parnell having Buffered even moro severely than tiio institution which ia contro'led by Mr Ooiirno Tho in dustrial depression is to some ex'ent responsible for thn numbp-r of boys with drawn from the higher sc-ioo's, but to a larger extent Ihe falling a«ay is duo to the public schools, which entor into direct competition with tho lower "forms " of tho College and Grammar ochoil Added to 'tho.o goneral causes which operate against the secondary echools of Auckland must bo added the übsonco of boarding nc commodation. Every year number* of our boys aro sent to tho South, not that superirr education i" to be got at Nelson or Chrittclini'ch, but solely becau-o tho pupils havo the bonelit of the boarding system. I'arrn's who havo had boys at Southern ichools ngrco that tho education imparted in Auckland College and Grammar School ia superior, and that practical tost should effectually settle tho question—if any remains—of allcecd short coinings. In course of timo wo havo no doubt it will bo found expediont to confine tbo institution to the teaching of the higher branches of education-making Iho College and Grammar School supplement, and not compete with, Hie public schools; and it may also he found necessary, for the financial success ot tho school, to add a boarding establishment. In the meantime, parents will be glad to know that tho school is making such steady progress in eliieiency as to call for the warmest en comiums of tho Inspector-General.

We publish to-day tho usual certificate by two leading public accountants showing the Stau circulation during the yoar just closed. Tho total nuuibor of copies actually circulated during t hey c. (that is with returns deducted) was N,:i3-t,555, giving an average i<p. no of 10,792 copies por night. Tho aver. ago for the previous year waa 10, _>I. show ing tho satisfactory increase, notwith standing dull times, of 301 copies por night. It may be oxplaiuod that, for tho purpose of preparing this audit, tho publishing, stpitionory, cash-books, and machine register of tho journal aro handed ovor to tho auditors, who make up tho return and vouch for tho result upon thair personal authority as public account ants. Tho frenzied preparations for war on the part ot the European powers still con tinue. Russia, despite tho baukrupt atate of her Exchequer, is arming hor troops with repeating rifles, and tho French War Minister has ordered a supply of 200,000 bombs mado with the new des tructive explosivo known aa "melanito." In England the political crisis conti-.ues. The Coalition Cabinet does not yot nppsar to bo completed, and tho Tories are by no means satisfied with tho constitution of it. Mr Ui-idstono, in order to conciliate tho Liberal Unionists, is reported to be willing to modity his proposals for Home Rule to the extent of limiting tbe powers of the Irish Parliament. Captain Edwin wires at 12 19 p m. that the same indications continue for change of weather, with fulling gla. and strong eatoriy wiuds. The Ponsonby Ward election yesterday resulted in the return of Mr John Swale's by a h.rgo majority. Tho voting was aa follows:—,T. Swale-, 278; X T.D.ifttur, 185; J. Elkin, 101. Informal votes, i Owing to the expedition with which the re ] turn was made up, only a few persona, iv- j cludiug one of the candidates, was present ' when it was declared,

The mining markot waa dull to-day. I Cambria shares woro sold at Os Cd. Mr Alex. Russell, late of the Standard lii-uranca Company, haa been appointed Auckland manager of the South British In- | suranco Company. . Tho Federal Variety Company Tiad a j largo audience- at tho City Hall laat 'night, j and the various items of their divereihed programme were gone through with con siderable spltlt. To-night an entiro change of programme is to bo presented. Tho Rev. J. D. Jory (Weßloyan mis sionary to Fiji), who ia on a visit to tho colonies', will proach in the Grafton Rflacl Wosleyan Church to morrow morning at 11 am. Mr Joi-y has been among the Fijians for eleven years, ond of courao his presence among the Auckland Wesleyans is bailed with considerable pleasure. His present address ia oaro of Mrs Shannon, Albert Park. On Monday evening next, a service of song, entitled "Solomon," will be given in iho Grafton Road Wesleynn Schoolroom by n choir of from forty to fifty voices, with instrumental accompaniment, under tho leadership of Mr Gotland, No charge will bo made for admission, but a collection will bo tnkon up. The Rev. R. Bavin will give the connpetivo readings. " A Parisian " writes as follows :— A cablegram recontly published in the Staii states that Germany has ono million ot repeating rifloa, and Franco nono. Wow, I have on hand a Paris paper dated July 12, 1880, in which I read tlio following paragraph : " General Boulongor haa ordered fifteen regiments of tho line and aoventeon battalions of Chasseurs (rillomen) to bo armed with Magazino Rilles (repeating rifles) " If the arms wero not already in store the General could not givo such an order, ao that tho cablegram iaovidontly errorooua.

Somo comment has been mado recontly on tho largo percentage donvod by tho totalisator for tho investments made upon it at tho races, but tho enormity of tho im position Ik not ovon yet fully realised. A cal culation of tho deductions on a given amount on a cortain day should prove interesting. Allowing that one thousand people inverted a pound each on the first rape, and that tho dividends woro re-inveeted on each ot thu six races following, tho machine* at tho closo of tho day would havo netted about £0.-)0 out of tho £1,000, while tho public would have £450 amongst them, lees tho deduction for fractions of shillings. ISo wonder, thon, ihat the publio invariably loso.

Anothor of tho eoriea of united prayer meetings was held last evening in iho Alexandra - street Primitive Mothcdist Church, Thoro was a fair attendanco, tho Key. A. J. Smith presiding Iho Rev. Mr Jory, who for cloven years haß been a mi. io nary at Fiji, gavo an addroes on mission woi k. The Rev. H. Bull also made a few remarks, and a number of gontlorr.en present took Dart in the devotional p o cocdings. A meeting was also hold in fat. Luke's Presbyterian Church, Romuera, when Mr O. B. Monro presided. <> ddreM. s wero delivered by Revs. J, S. Hill and T. Spurgoon. To-nit'ht tho final meeting will bo held in tlio V M C.A. Room?, Wollesloy atreot, whon Roy. T. Adams and Hon. O Waldegravo will speak on " Trayer lor Nations."

Tho employes of Frasor and Tinno'a Phunix Foundry, together with thoir wives nnd little ones, sweethearts, sistors, coueirfs and aunts, nro onjoying today their annual excursion, and are bleat with real holiday woather for tho occasion. At nine o'clock this morniufj, as thoy wero n_ omblerl upon tho wharf, thoir numbers mado quite an imposing display, and tho gala character of tho affair was enhanced by thopreeenco of a brass band hard at work discoursing selec tions of inspiriting music. The party em barked upon tho s.s. Enterpriae.and set out for St. Hollior'a Bay, with every proapect of spending a moßt enjoyable day. Tho arrangemonta are in tho hands of a committeo, comprising tho foremen of de partments, and the employers, with their accustomed cordiality, join thoroughly with thoir employes in the pleasurea of tho outing.

A meeting of tho householders of Grafton Boad School District haa beon convoned by tho Board to bo hold on Monday evening in tho school, Nugent-street, for _ the purpoao of electing a school committoe lpi placo of tho former committeo, who resigned owing to a difference with tho Board in tho mattor of tho Christmas holidays. At a previous mooting convoned by the Board for tho somo purposo, tho !iouseholdor3 piosont upheld tho action of thoir representatives, and tioclinod to elect a now committee By the Education Act tho Board ia empowered ultimately to meet such a contingency by appointing ono or more commiaaionors to net until the next annual meeting of houee holdors, which will bo held in April; but beforo this can bo done, the law provi.los that tho householdors shall havo anothor opportunity of electing a committoe to re present them, and tbat opportunity will bo afforded at the moating convened for Mon day ovotiing.

Wo have received from Meesra Girder Bros, and Company a copy of the Illus trated Catalogue and Price List of the manufactures produced at thdr Ponsonby Steam Sanitary, Pipe, Agricultural, Drain, Tile and Pottery Worke- It ia very neatly got up, and contains 12 pages of clearly lithographed drawings of tho Company's products, whilo tho covor is embellished with a capital sketch of their extensive works in Poinpallior and Clarence streets, Ponsonby. A glance at Ihe brochure sufficos to irupro.'B ono with the magnitude of the Com pany's operations, arid tbe vitality and suc cess of this branch of local industry. The manufactureswill bear theolosest comparison with the imported articles, and tho prices should convince ono that in supporting local enterprise in this branch of work ho is conserving his own interests by econo mising los funds. Tho prico list and ac companying illustrations havo boon turned out iii first ehiss stylo from tho Stak Steam Printing and Lithographic Works.

Yesterday afternoon a deputation of rate payers of tho Ponsonby Ward waited upon His Worship tho Mayor, and presonted an ii.lluenti iillj'-siunod petition praying that tho Council would enter a caveat against Iho issuing of a certificate of title to Mra Catherine Elizabeth Daldy of a portion of a public road known as Swift Avenuo. Mr Devore said that hu was fully aware of the facte rogarding tho street, but as the Coun cil did not meet bofore tho I,'ith inst., and the caveat had to bo entorod on the 12tb, ho would refer thopotilion to tho Council's solicitor lo inquire and report. Ho was himself of opinion that the caveat ahould in any case bo entered. It ia said that the Harbour Board have 11 oady oa'e ed a caveat to protect their own intorosts with regard to the granting of a title to tho foreshore of a portion of the land under this application. This will piovont the certificate being granted for threo months, but does not protect tho interests of the City Council. A large sum of public money has beon expended in improving the road, and tho petitioners think it only right that public interests should be protected; hence tho prayer for a fell inquiry prior to the granting of the ap plication.

Great interest waa manifested ye3terday afternoon in the puhlic fire tost of _ laikie's patent fire proof piaster, a report of which appears in another column. The size of tho building waa as follows : - 9 foet by 6 and 9 feet high. Tho building was of stud paiti tions, with ceiling joists. The inside plastering on tho east sido was composed of wiro netting fixed on tho studs, tho wire netting.throughout boing 1$ inches mesh, and plastered with Wilson and Co.'s Auck land coment; also the coiling of tho samo matorinl. Ou tbo weat side ar.d north end tho studs wero lined with half - inch boards, on which tho wiro netting was fixed, and plaekered with English coment. Tho south ond was also lined with hoards, and plastered over the wiro notting with Mr B. Keane's Mahurangi limo. On tho north end and the weat side, the outside of both walls was done with wiro netting and Portland coment. The middle building was 6 feet by 3 feet, and 7 feet r-igh, lathed and plustored in tho ordinary way. Tho other building was 6 feot by 6 foot, and 7 foot high, Btud parti tions, and linod with J inch boards. Mr Hughes, tho Superintendent of tbe Eire Brigade, requested Mr. Blnikie to put combustible materials to the depth of 9 inchoa all over tbe floor of the first building, aud have them saturated with kerosene This waa considered by Mr Hughes to be a satisfactory teat, but Mr Blaikie being satisfied of the fire-resiating properties of the structure, put in double the quantity of inflammable materials that Mr Hughes required. .Similar com bustibles were put in the middle building, likewise in the wooden one. The only injury done to the fire-proof building throughout was the peeling off of about a yard of tbe outer coat of cement on tho western wall, thus leaving tho first coat uninjured, two coats of cement haviuc been ussd on the building. Tbe fact that tho plaster is smoothed on both sides of tho wire-netting constitutes one of the secrets of ita tire resisting qualities. Wilson and Co's, Auckland cement stood the fire test better than the imported cemenr, and Mr Keane's lime also proved highly satisfac tory.

Tho following additional entries have been received for tho Onehunga Races: Cup: Protendor and Orphan. Be ing Hurdles: Sultan. Novel and Selling Race : Mignonette oDd Rose. i! lying Stakes : Orphan and Pretender Tho new incumbent of St. Barnabas's Church, Mount Eden, Rev. T. 11. tsprott, haa just arrived from London, and preaches for the lire* time at that churcn to-morrow .Sunday). There will doubtless be a.large congregation to welcome tho rev. gentle man, and as the sittings are free, visitors will probably help to swell the Sphering. Mr Sprott enters upon his regular duties at once. The following notices of motion have been , mado i-By Cr Davie., " That thia Council are of opinion that tbo logalieing of the use of any gambling machine, more pai-ticu larly tho totalisator, is prejudice to the best interests of tho burgossos of the city, and that a petition be forwarded to the Government praying that the portion of the Lotteries Act authorising its use may be repealed;" also, "That tenders bo called Immediately far draining Cross street and Karangahape Road according to tho En ginoor's plan and specifications. Sometime ago we favourably noticoda picture by Mr Alfred Sharpe at tho Art Students' Exhibition, and this picture was awarded the medal, of the Association. Since then it baa boen purchased by an English tourist, Mr Thomas Corbett, M.1.,, who left for San Francisco by the s.s. Mari posa a fow days ago. This gentleman is a so one of tho governors of the Kensington * mo Art Exhibition, London, and Mr Sharpe naturally foels pleased that hia work has met with tho approval of oneao well qualified to iudgo Tho prico waa £15, and the picture will be exhibited at Kensington on its arrival. Tho Eight Hours Demonstration Com mitteo mot on Thursday evening at tho Working Mon'd Club. It was decided to cpill for tondcrs for bands, olao to lot the refreshment stalls. A number of donations and trophios woro received. Mr Ellis kindly oonsontod to act oa hnndicappor for tho Sports Committee. Mr Nixon under took to havo tho banners repaired. It waa alio decided to provide a band for dancing. In connection with the extra 2s being paid in tho totalisator dividond on Waitiri, tho winner of tho Victoria Handicap, wo loam that tho public at largo have turned up in numbers out of all proportion. Iho result is that considerably moro than the I proper amount has boon paid away, the lofs of which falla on tho Auckland Racing Club.

At tlio Official Assigneo's office yesterday, Adolph . aravel, hairdresser, Queen streot, a bankrupt under examination, stated that for tho last four and alialf yoara ho hnd been in business in Auckland, having pre viously been in Paris, 110 started entirely without capital. Ho did very woll until ho went into the Arcade shop, oight months ago. It cost £155 to fit it up, and tho rent was £5 16s per week, against £3 13s in tho old place. He had also to employ an assistant and an apprentice, at a cost of £3 10s por. week His taking aver aged i'l2 to £13 per week, so that his not profit waa less than hia personal re quirements, and in this way he had in curred debts amounting to £244 7s fid during tho past eight months, of which £70 was for rout. His total liabilities wero £386 16s 3d; assets, £25 worth of stock ; furni turo and fixtures, £136. There wore also gooda in bond to tho valile of £53, for which tho bank holds tho bill of lading. He had kept a record of his weekly takings, but not of hia expenditure. He waa com pelled lo file, owing to ono of tho creditors pressing for his money, which caused hia landlord to put in the bailiffs for tho rent,

Professor Woodroffe's scientific glass blowing exhibition waa very well attended yesterday ovening. As usual, a number of prizes were given away at tho closo of the exhibition. To-night being tho end of the season, an unuaually large num ber of prosenta will bo given away, amongst which will be an olaborato candelabra in a claas ahado, which is to he come the property of tho homolie.-t man present No doubt there will bo many competitors in this claas. Thero ia naw on exhibition in the window a handsome pipe, won for the best conundrum seventeen years ago, on tho occasion of Professor Woodroffe's last visit By a singular co incidence, the winner this time waa tbo samo gentleman. In consoquonco of tho liberal patronago accorded to his exhibition during hia ten weeks here, l'rofossor Wood roffo, on his last night's cntortainmont, will givo away a large numbo' of pretty glass objects. Tho exhibition opoiie at tho Thames on Tuesday next.

Tho Hospital and Charitablo Aid Board proceeded at the Polico Court to-day against Robert Hould6n for the recovery of £12 5a for 34 weeks' maintenance of his mother, Mary Houlden. Defendant denied the liability. MrTheo. Ctiopor appeared for tho Board. Mra Houlden was examined, and asserted that she had got very littlo from the Government. Her son had nine children, and he did what ho could for hor. She would not take any moro rations from the Government, and would starve first. Mr Grabam,Koliovingofficor,statod that the woman had for years beon receiving aid from the Government, aud moro recontly from the Charitable Aid board. Tho not cost of tho rations was Is 9d per weok, and she had also received firewood. She came from Opotiki in a destitute condition, and would have starved if it had not baen for these rations. Tho Bay of Plenty district refused to contribute towards her support, on tho ground that hor son was ablo to maintain her. Ho was a contrnc or, and had takon a contract of £10,000 1-econtly.—Mr Garland also gave evidence —Houlden, the defendant, went into the box, and eaid ho could not pay the amount claimed. He had paid his mother 63 per week since sho came up h-re He paid her passagefmm Giaborne, but not to get rid of her. Tho amount charged was greatly in excess of that paid for good? auppliod. Mr Cooper reduced tbo a .cunt to £4 13s 6d, in accordance with Mi- Graham's ovidonco. His Worship said he failed to see tbat the amount claimed could be recovered summarily under tbo Act, but by action for debt. An ordor for future maintenance could bo made summarily, but not in the case of arrears. Mr Cooper pointed out that tbe Act was inconsistent, inasmuch as tho arrears in a claim for maintenance of wife or child could bo made summarily. Under tho circumstances, Mr Cooper withdrow the proceedings, with a viow of claiming for future support. Mr Graham subsequently appeared beforo tho Resident Magistrate, and deposod that ho had made a mistake in his calculations. The cost of tho rntionß was 2s O.^d, and not Is 9d as previously stated.

It is announced by advertisement in another column that Mr C. B. Andrew's day and night fchool, Grey-street, ro-opons on Monday next.

TELEGRAMS.

Fire at .eliding. Feildino, this day. A tiro laat night broke out in the Whole sale Drapery and Grocery Corrpany's Btore, Cotteroll's Building, and the contents were destroyed. The building and stock woro insured in tho Equitable -s^ock, £900; building, £100.

New I'l.ymouth, this day. Propavlng to Welcome To Whit 1. A largo number of Maoris passed through New Plymouth this morning on tho way to Pnrihaka, whoro thoy expect to meet Te Whiti. Natives state that To Whit i was at Wakaaao yostorday.

Wellington, this day. Mi- Ballance Loaves for Auckland. The total number of claims received by the Land Claims Commission ia 1,630. The proportion reported on favourably will not be large. Mr Ballance leaves for Auckland and Rotorua district on Tuesday. Ho intends to addreee his constituents beforo Parlia ment meets, but not at an early dato. An application of a writ of habeas corpus in Wators's case will bo made in Chambers thia afternoon. In a supplementary " Gazette' issued this morning, the appointment ia notilied of MrD. A. Tolo aa Commissioner under the Native Lands Administration Act of last session for the Auckland district.

Christchuroh, this day. The jury in the Goodwin case (perjury), who were locked up all night, were dis charged tbia morning without agreeing. A new trial takee place on Monday.

Dunedin, thi3 day. The Australian Miners' Association have forwarded a second donation of £200 to the Kaitaugata miners The offioial inquiry into tho collision be tween the Omapere and the big dredge will be held on Tuesday afternoon, bffore Mr Carew and Rear-Admiral Scott,

CABLEGRAMS.

[BY BLBCTBIO MMMBAPU.—COPYBIGHS. ]

ENGLISH POLITICAL CRISIS.

Mr Gladstone's Homo Rule Scheme,

London, January G.

Mr. E. Stanhope has accepted ibe port folio of Secretory of State .for War in the Salisbury Ministry. The "Standard" to-day statos that Mr ' Gladstone is inclined td modify his Home Rule for Ireland echome, with a view to conciliate tho Unionist Liberala. Tho Coneorvativea are taking grave ob jectiona to tho overtures mado by the Whige. London, January 7. The "Standard" statoß that Mr Glad atone is willing that the powers of his proposed Irish Parliament should bo con fined to dealing with certain specified sub- Earl Morlcy ia mentioned as likely to succeod Mr Stariliope as Secretary of State I for tho Colonies.

WARLIKE SYMPTOMS.

French and Russian Armaments,

London, January 7. Russia is following tho lead of Germany, ar.d is arming hor troop 3 with repeating rifles. Goneral Boulangor, Minister for War, has ordered 200,000 melanito bombs for the French War Department.

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

Did England Threaten to B omtiard Con-

stantinople?

London, January 6. A statement published by the " Pall Mall Gazette," to the effect that England has threatened to bombard Stamboul, in order to prevent a l_._o-Turk.li allianco, is dis believed.

Success of the Campaign In Burmah.

Rangoon, January 6. Bbws from Upper Burmah reports con tinued Euccosses of tho British forcoa under Sir Fred Roberts. Several prominent rebel chiefs have been captured.

Another "Upper Crust" Scandal.

Tho Divorco Suit of a Marchioness,

Lonoon, January 6. The Marcliionoss. of Q'ueonab'erry has petitioned for a divorce.

MINISTERIAL DIRTY LIKEN.

An Unseemly Squabble,

Sydney, Friday. The correspondence between Mr Dibbs and Sir Patrick Jennings is at present the principal topic of conversation in the city. Mr Dibba has further accused the Premier of holding a brief for the Chief Inspector of Accounts, and eaya:— "You have for months past been engaged (almost to the exclusion of your duties 'as Treasurer) in building up the cllico of Premier out of the attempted wreck of thatof the Co'onial Secre tary, with tbe result that everything is now in confusion and disorganisation." Sydney, thia day. It is Btated that if Mr Dibbs does not re sign tho Colonial Secretaryship, Sir P. Jen nings will on Monday next tendor tho Go vernment the resignation of his Govern, ment aa a wholo.

Prices of Frozen Meat.

IiONDON, January 7.—Boet Now' Zealand frozen mutton ia selling at 4?d por lb. Mel bourne shipments are roalising 4id, and Sydney less. Tho Adelaide Exhibition. An additional thirty thousand foot of space is neoded to supply all the appli cants for Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition. Revival of Prosperity. Mr Buchanan, in a letter to the " Times," predicts a apeedy revival of prosperity in New South 'Wales. Rise' in Price of Wool. 1,500 balos of wool havo been sold privately at an advance of a half-penny to threo farthings on the closing rates of last salts. Goia for Australia. Forty thousand sovereigns havo been withdrawn for Australia, and more will probably follow. Doatsi from Small-Fox. Sydney, S iturday. — One small - pox patient at the quarantine station died.

MINING NEWS.

Thames, this day. Cambria.—The winze in the hanging wall reef at No. 2 level ia in ovor 3 feet The first breaking down took place to-day, when 251bs ot specimens were obtained.

POLITICAL ANTICIPATIONS.

THE GOVERNMENT PLAN FOR THE

SESSION.

Redistribution of Scats,

(BY TELEGRAPH— OWN CORRESPONDENT )

Wellington, this day.

It is rumoured that when Parliament meets every effort will bo mado to skip through the session with as little fighting as pos sible, relegating all moot questions to the general election. It is whispered (says the " Times") that soundings have been at tempted in a certain high quarter as to the probability of a dissolution being refused until redistribution should have taken placo, but that "no bottom" was reached.

Sir R. Stout on Education.

IBY TELEGRAM— PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Chkistciiurch, I hia day. At the diotier of the Educational Institute last night, Sir R, Stout explained the posi tion of tho Government with reference to education—(l) They had to moot decreasing revenue, and must, if tho present educational system was to bo retained intact, take care not to create additional enemies to tbe system, especially by increasing the cost very much. He was glad to state tbat the Government sawiits way tothe establishment of a University College at Wellington. He believed it would not involve much increase in expenditure, because it would utilise the museum and scientific department already in Wellington. Referring to school standards he Eaid they were a safeguard for the teache r, who knew what his It Bpector would examine on und the instructions be had to follow, and in cuso of failure the teacher had no appeal. He did not deny there was great danger in the multi plicity of subjects. He said all along that the syllabus was only meant as a guide to a judicious teacher and tha Inspector.While not considering it the duty of the State to teaoh religion in schools, be sympathised with those who urged that morality should bo taught. At. the same time he admitted that no ono could go through our text books without finding moral teaching. He hud beard it eaid that some children wero wanting in reverence ; perhaps tbat meant that some boy had been ' cheeky " to the persona who complained. If, however, children bad reverence for truth, every other kind of reverence worth having would follow.

FATAL ACCIDENT.

The unfortunato lad Brierley,. ho waa .'_ . seriously injured by a kick from a hor^ several dais auo, died Eoon after two o'clock yesterday afternoon. Vory \\H_i , | hope of his recovery was held oaf from tho first, concussion of the brahj " ' 1 having been i-ustainod. It will be retneta t bercd tbat Briorley was playing cricket lb J j paddock at Newmarket with other ladj : j whon he met with tho accident. Aninquejj ■ is to bo held on tho body.

DROWNED AT SEA.

Three Seamen _ost From tho Yolande; -

TiiK three masted schoonor Yolande ariivecj from Newcastle shortly before 6 o'cioot j last ovening, and proceeded to the Sugar Compar.j'a wharf at Birkenhead to die. charge bcr cargo of coal. The Yolande iiu made an unusually long paesage, and hasei.

perionced some very heavy weather, (jna, M galo, unfortunately, resulted in tho loss d three of hor seamen; Captain Watt master of the Yolande, reports of the '"' voya'-e as follows :—Sailed from Newcastle on the lOtli ult, with light southerly wind..' jvhich lasted about 12 hours, and thefi hauled into the S E and E. until Lord Howe's Island waa passed, on the 14th i tho wind then came from the eastward; ■ with cloudy, gloomy, and overcast sky. I Thia lasted until tho Kith, when the wind.:.'.'■ backed into tho E.S.E., and increased to» ,/ fresh breeze. On the 17th the wind was ■ etill increasing, with a heavy, confused an; I and tho weather was such that it wai found i necessary to tako in canvas and make the I vessel sniig, in readiness for heavier weather, I At 8 p m .'ihe order was given to stow the "7 jib, which had just before burst, and, three . seamen, Matthew Sweeney, JohnHannai I ford, andCharleaEngolke,proceededtooarry I out the order. At thia time it waa dark) I the veasel being under reefed canvaa. with upper topsail stowed. Suddenly a faint cij was beard off tho starboard quarter. I Ropes wero thrown in the direction indicated, and tho helm was ordered hard down, but the chip refused td etajy Owing to thedarkneea nothing could beaeeh I ovor a ship's length away; and although every attention was paid, nothing more than tho ono faint cry was heard. It is suppoEcd that tho vc. el passed ovor theun- I fortunate mon, and that they were drowned almost immediately. Tho gale increased during the night named, and lasted with groat violonca for three days, with a vtry heavy sea ; thence sho had light winds and moderate weather up to making the North Cape; thence ireeh E. to E.S.E. winds along the coast up to arrival.

ALLEGED ROBBERY.

A somewhat serious robbery from the person is reported to have been committed in Aborcrombio-street abtmt 11 o'clock last night. The person assaulted is an olderly man named Henry Cuthbort, a gardener by trade, who resides in Swaneon-street He was re turning from Parnell, aud when approach ing tho comer of Abercrombie-street was met by two men, who walked a short dis tance with him. Thoy then assaulted him, one of tho men holding him whilo the othor searched his pockets and relieved them of 18s in silver. The men also maltreated him, and then ran down a passage and made their escape. Cuthbort proceeded into town, and gave in formation to Constable Kelso, with the result that two young men named Frede rick Ellis and William alias Larry Small ■ were arrested on suspicion of being the assailants. They wero brought up at the Police Court to day, whon Sergeant Pratt explained that tho arrest having only been made at midnight, he was not prepared with his witnesses. An adjournment waa therefore granted until Friday next. James Smith waa arrested this afternoon by Det6ctivo Herbert in connection with tbo robbery from Cuthbert. —

THE OWHAOKA CASE.

[BY TEhEGUAPH—OWN COKKKSrONDENT.J Wellington, this day. It has been suggested by tho New Z?aland " Times," which publishes Mr Fenton's . H version of the Owbaokadispute,thatofreßh Parliamentary inquiry should be insisted upon by the Government. This, however, I am at, liberty to state, is not likely to tako place. The Government are perfectly satisfied with the recommendation made in the matter by the Select Committee and ratified by the House laat session, and they i do not intend to propose any further par liamentary action.

VOLUNTEER NOTES.

New Zealand Rifle Association,

A mbetimo of members interested in the abovo Association was held in the Drill shed last evening. Lt.-Colonel Mahon pre sided, and there were 25 others present, representing nearly all the Garrison CoHi panies. The Chairman read corraspondenc. from Captain Sommerville, inquiring, whether Auckland could furnish six or eight register - keepers, who would be allowed to travel by train free, and receive ten shillings per day when the firing started. Captain Sommerville thought Auckland competitors should leave the Manukau on Thursday, February 24th, arriving at New Plymouth following morning, Wellington same evening, and Lyttelton on Saturday afternoon, competi tors reaching the camp at dark. The firing would start on Monday. Colonel Mahon read an estimate of the probable expanse each competitor would be put to, ac fol lows:— Steamer, fare to Taranaki (return), £2 ; train to Wellington (private line), 8s ; Wellington to Lyttelton, steamer (return), £1 ; entries to all matches, £3 2s (id ; board, _ 1 ss; sighting shots, £15s : total, £8 Os (id. After some discussion, it'wns agreod to re quest tho Council to amend the rules in re ference to the colouring of sights, to the effect that black or white colouring be al lowed competitors ; also that competitors be allowed to clean the barrels of their rifles after each shot, providing the firing ia not delayed. It was thought, there will be about 40 representatives present from Auckland province. No 2 BataUion. It is notified by Captain Skinner that the first inspection parade of this batallion for ISB7 will be held on Tuesday evening next. 1 Tbe Easter Encampment. At a parade of tbe Naval Battalion, held in tho Brill shed last night, a vote of the men was taken as to whether the encamp ment should be held in Auckland or Tara naki, The result of the vote was strongly in favour of Taranaki, only one member of the battalion voting against it. This ovening the A and' 0 Batteries of Artillery and Nos. 2 and 3 Rifle Battalions meet in mufti for the purpoes. of considering the question. Successful Officers. Lieutenant Cooper (Victorias), lieutenant Littlo (Hobsone), and Lieutenant T, H. Keesing (College Rifles), have passed tbe noceasary examination requisite to obtain a commission.

Dunedin Criminal Statistics.

(by telegkaph.—own corbespondknt.)

DuNKDiN, thia day. The annual polico returns for Dunedin dis trict show that during 1886 there were 1,822 malc3 and 532 females sum moned or apprehended, as against 1,995 males and 515 fomales for 1885. The prin cipal decreases are in drunkenness and assault, Thero ate increases in breach of the peace and arson.

Eagle'on's Electric Baths. See adver liaument 3rd page. Straws and macrame, arrived ex Rimu taka.-W. H. Shukespear and Co-[_dvt.] Sewing Machines, wholesale and retail. The lateßt Rnd boat. Maohines repaired or ex changed. -I). S. Chambora, Queon-itreet Tell the tramcar conductor to set you down when passim.- the bacon shop in Newton. Call in and suve 20 per oent. by ma'iing your t urchssna thr-re Prloca tnr to-morrow: Bacon, od and liri ;ol epss 61 ano 7d; butter, 6d and 7d; large bottles tomato aauco, Sd ; 21b tinsjini, Bd. —Auckland Provision Company's Baoon shop, oppoaite Hieing Sun Hotel, Karangahape Koad. —A. Bettany, Manager.

*HE AUCKLAND EVENING STAK, SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1887,

2



DR. Si 0 O !R B Has RESUMED HIS PRACTICE, At tho Usual Hours. i ! TOISKB & JT AL L, CABINETMAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, AND CARPET WAREHOUSEMAN. QAL_ O- OURPLUS QTOCK. FOR ONE MONTH, AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES, AND FIVE PER CENT. DISCOUNT. g PER CENT. ON ALL CASH PURCHASES WINKS & HALL, SHOBTLAND-ST. BKT. OPPOSITE THE TOWN CLOCK. BEST WHITBY JET At KELSEY'S, opposite tho Town Clook. LADIES' WORK COMPANIONS At KELSEY'S, opposite the Town Clook. LADIES' HAND BAGS At KELSEY'S, opposite the Town Clock, JAPANESE GOO US At KELSEY'S, opposite the Town Clock. TENNIS GOODS At KELSEY'S, opposite the Town Clock. "PRESENTS OF ALL KINDS AT KELSEY'S, OPPOSITE THE TOWN CLOCK. WHEN DOCTORS GIVE YOU UP, Mons. GARNIER. the Hieetrlolan, win Core you. Consultation Fan*. Every kind . Complaint Treated at— EAGLETON'S TOILET HALL, MO. QUEEN-STREET. Hours of Attendance: »to IS and •to 6. Beotrio and Galvanic, Faradio, and MedloU. Baths al bo given by Mona. Garnler. .Numbers of Teatlmonlals oaa b« Men t* application. pHINA, fi LASS, TpART HEN« WARE, ORNAMENTS, VASES, 4o„ SUITABLE FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW TEAB PBESENTS. THE LARGEST STOCK, THE BEST VABIETY, THE NEWEST GOODS, THE LOWE3T PRICES, AT BOYLAN & TANPIELp'S, 174, QUEEN-STREET ;%-' (OPPOSITE DARBY-STREET). GREAT CLEARING OUT SALE 0F £10,000 WORTHOF BOOTS AND SHOES, FOR ONE MONTH AT GREAT REDUCTIONS FOR CASH. TO MEET THE TIMES, THOS. ELLISON 13 NOW SELLING OFF HIS LARGESTOCK OP ROOTS AND BHOES AT GREAT REDUCTIONS, FOR ONE MONTH, FOR CASH ONLY. THE FOLLOWING NEW GOODS AT MUCH LESS THAN COST: CHILD'S PATENT ELASTIC BOOTS, 2 TO 5, IS PER PAIR _ CHILD'S KID ELASTIC BOOTS, 2 TO S, 21 PER P* IB GIRLS' KID ELASTIC BOOTS, 10 TO 1, Isßd PER PAIR GIRLS' KID ELASTIC BOOTS, 10 to 1. 6s to PER PAIR GIRLb' KID ELASTIC BOOTS, 10 TO 1.68 PER PAIR All othar Gooda equally ohoap. ALL DKSCRIPTIONS OF BOOTS MADE TO ORDER ON THE PREMISES. EMPTY TRUNKS FOR SALE CHEAP. THOS. ELLISON, BOOTMAKER AND IMPORTER, 71, QUEEN STREET. HIVING TT. {.ARPiTS. H. ATKINS HAVING DECIDED TO RELINQUISH THH OARPET TRADE, HABMABKKD DOWN HIS LARGE BTOCK OF CARPETS TO LANDED COST PRICK. Tha Stock has been Imported direot, and til* Patterns perßonally selected. There are a large number nt Pieces to Select from in BRUSSELS. TAPESTRY. AND KIDDER MINSTER, And the prices at which th' y are marked will be £*und lower than aver bofore okarged la Auckland. HEARTHRUGS TO MATCH CARPET! REDUCED TO COST PWOB. ALBO AN OVERSTOCK OF SOO PAIRS LONG CUR TAINS. AT SO PER CENT. OFF PRESENT PRICES. AN OVERSTOCK OF BLANKETS AT REDUCED PRICES. AN OVKRBTOCK OF CRETONNES, TABU LIN K.V. DA M *HK NAPKINS, AND OrBySB FURNISHING GOODS AT REDUCED PRICES. CHEAP LINKS IN DRESSES. DUMB. ... . FUK-LINKD CLOAKS, *a CHEAP LINES IN CLOTHING. GENT*1 MACINTOSH COATS, HATS, &a NEW GOODS IN DRAPERY AND QLOTHINa FOR THE COMING SEASON ARE NOW BEING OPENED. AND TO MEET THE TlMEti WILL BE MARKED CHEAP. _. ATKINi. Wftii



MRS B UTTER WORTH ! MILLINER, j MCARTHUR'S BUILDING 3. QUKKN-Sr., Lately cocupiod by Ml.n Teutenberg, WILL HOLD X *-.LEARI N G Q A L E OP NEW.SUMMER OOSTUMHB TIA.T6 . BONNKT3 SATINS FEATHKRS -LOWERS BABY U.VE_ UNDERCLOTHING . C, . C. TN C6NBK6u. tfCS! 0. REMOVING, ALL THE GOODS WILL BE CLEARED Al' A VERY LOW RATE. QUEEN - STREET, , NEXT MESSRS McARTHUR _ CO., AND XT Karangahape road. Box 329 ■pi '0 W L -VVT H E A T IOO SACKS, Just Arrived Ex Notkro. . M A J z E -500 SACKS. Grand Samples, In lots to shit my customers IF YOU WISH TO SECURF, APPLY QUICKLY TO ALFRED JOWITT, MERCHANT. CUSTOMS STREET EAST. Telephone 435 ARANI) /CLEARING CASH SALE or "T^RAPERY AND /.LOTHING, PRIOR TO STOCKTAKING. WM. R. BRIDGMAN Desires to inform his Friends and the Public that it IS OVKK FIVK YBAIIS slnOO ho ll_l had a CLEARING CASH SALE, and finding SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS OVER STOCKED, ' haa determined prior to Stocktaking to mako GREAT REDUCTIONS • for a short timo to effect a SPEEDY CLEARANCE. While not thinking a Clearing Salo ovory fow montha advisable, W.R.IJ. certainly thinka It dealrable at such an interval aa the above. Included in sale will be several large lines ot Gooda bought from several Warehouses at a very HEAVY DISCOUNT. The Sale will be thoroughly genuine, and needs no puff. 288, UPPER QUEEN-STREET, AUCK LAND. TAB. T\ 0 H B R T V, GENERAL DRAPER, to,, _ i ii o v a » IO PUBOHAS'S BUILDINGS, karangahape road, Lat» Victoria btb_c_ Henderson & JM^oivor Are now holding a GENUIKE CHEAP CASH SALE OF THEIR OWN MANUFACTURED FURNITURE AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES, FOR ONE MONTH ONLY. SUITES IN CRETONNE, FROM £8 10a, and Other Gooda Equally Low. HENDERSON k McIVOR, CABINETMAKERS AND UPHOLSTERERS, KARANGAHAPE ROAD. R, J. MURRAY MOORE, MB,, M.R CS. Hours (or Conaultatlon: 11 to 1 p.m., at Pond'e Homceopathio Pharmacy, 153 Qaeen-Btreet; 2 to 3 p.m., and 7to S p m., at Residence. Lower Symonds street, Telenhonfi 130. Vaocinations at Pond'a, 1p m„ TUESDAY and FRIDAY. V\T ANTED KNOWN. KAMO COLLIERY OFFICE Removed Irom Messrs Mltchelson and Co.'s to Office formerly occupied by them fate H. N. Smith's), 18 Queen-street. '• 4 8 a poet," eaid Goethe, " I am a poly- J__. theist; aa a naturalist, a pantheist; as a moral man, a deist; and in order to express my mind I need all theaa forma. To express the t-oundleis resources of nature were impossible; It ia all good -all a portion cf the ii finite." Thiß ia more fully displayed In the vegetable king dom, with ita fruits, foods, fragrant floweis, and ozone-exhal.ng plants. Tha forests of pice and blue guv are miasma-destroying agenta, and the essential oils aro handmaidens to health. Concentrated, tbe Blue Gum Oil- EUCALYP TENE-as an ointment and liniment, haa the most remarkable he .ling effecta. It la Nature's own remedy. As made by G. AIORI. . Queen street, the curative properties are certain. yy ANT X D KNOWN KSW PRINTS, DRESSES. MILLINERT. HOSIERY, fco. KOW BHOWI. .. PrloM law as usual. Ijtoa.4 l*t picnic HATS, bo. U, W- W. t. OGILYIE, TtOTORXA-STRKKT WEST. China, G-lass, 4 Earthen WARE. JOHN XTWILSON Has now a large and well-assorted Stock on hand. Imported direct from the Manufacturers. Christmas Presents I New Yeab'B Guts ! Birthday Presents 1 .Wedding Pbesents 1 Special Attention la invited to tbe Stock DINNER SERVICES, TEA SETS. TOILET SETS, iGLASSWARE, OR. AMTENT3, _0, Which for Variety and Cheapness combined Is unequalled In Auckland. I ibcral Diacount allowed to Large Consumers, such as Hotel, Restaurant, and Boarding-house Propriet:.r». N.B —Prices for Cash are the Lowest in Town or Subuiba. 1 Please note the Address— _57-QUEEN-ST_EET-m (Oppojite TutUe's Photographic Studio).



MRS WIGG'S NEWTON LAUNDRY, GRKY-Bt'_ ET (N'Eiit TEE TO*., Established 18M. VinlUira to and _03tdents of, Auokland are reluested £ observe hut thU taundr,-to *J h«sl_ In the town. All articles earefi.Ui v. »?ncu bfhiSd and finished In the f^JE____^SSt by thoroughly practical hands. Gents Cloth..* oiaaned ar.d thoroughly preoscd: Laoo OarteM rrrtroE-ci ■ Indies' Ureases waßhfld and Ironed. rhowiaSt iwmi «o a sociality at thin h_e. lUhmont. CUSTOMS AND STAN. BY-ST .HKTd, AUCKLAND. Seed and Manure Merchanta Boneduat Mouufocturira Agon, tor Peruvian Government Guano . Importer 3of FcnclDg Wire, Sucka, Wool Cash Purch'ueora of Bones HAND-SEWN BOOTS, specially suit ablo lor the warm weather. Ugh; and ea«y giving great comtcrt to thoße i mlotca with tender feot-WM. MILLKU & BON. BlKb-street. . ~ , Prloea slightly over Imported artlole. Extraordinary Chea? Ijines. 1,200 Glrls'.and Chlh'.rcn'a Hate, New Shanes, ell at 1b lid eailh. Gooda worth troni3it)dto6s Cd each. 800 Do.. Beat Goods, at 2s lid; Regular Price from 3a Sd to 9a 6d each. AI. re. Lot o£ Ladles' Collnreltna, all at 66 each. Goods worth from 1b to 2s od. 200 I. rills' Lson Coilarettos nnd Bows (tho Newest Gnods in'r.itn. d this fa.pason), alls lid ; Kmular Pi ic\ 7- Oil. 20 D.z Su.-do Kid Jorssy Glovoa (1 button length), lo lid. A Manufactured Stock of Child's Trlmmnrl Sun Bonnet-), all at 1b lid ; Goods worth 5s Gi. A L'irgo Lot of Charter c-nso and Mo. Coloured Aixiettho lToailior, at 1b ouch ; Regular Value, &i Od. 200 Boja' fcilokor Tweid Suitß, from 5a Od. Thoso Linea are all Heal Bargains. THE MELBOURNE DRAPERY AND CLOTHING CO., QUffiKN-STRKICC AND PONSONBY.