COMING EVENTS.

BectiuKJ. &0.. Vt-nUtfct-

Opora Honsa—MncMahou and Leitoh Company ia "TboPearlDivjrj."S. Ik Qusensireet-Jixhibitiou of Glass blowing,

7.30. City Hall— JEo\a and Federal Combination. 8. Boresforu-street ConKMaattonal o Ohuroh-Ad dresscs by Key. B. F. Macnlool and B. Bavin, ParneU Wesleyfh Church-AddresEca by Revs. C. Worbojs and J. Selby, 7.3. Tnmperunoe Hall Albert street-Complimentary Concert to Mr Jenkln, 8. Harp of Krin Hotel, Klleralle-Royal DraßOona,' Masonic Hal', Newton-Newton Lodged Mark . .Master Hasan", 7.30 At the Tent— Ponsonby Road and Upper Hepburn-sweet.

Kota of Justices at Police Court. January 5-G. S. Kißtling and C. La Roche,

Auction Sales To-morrow. F. .1. Joneo - Farnitare, etc., 10,30 a.ni. Hunter and Nolan, Papakura Yatds-Cattlt1 eft . 12.

1?. Tonka &. Co.—Fruit, 11 a.m. Arthur & Bnddle-k rnlt. &c, 12 noon J. MeLoodEnd Co.-Prodnce, Provlalonn. Gro ceriea, Furniture, oto., 11.

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

r&Mis mi.', m.oa* as undkbi—

Tbib Day,

IVsußotominanaaa followa-

For India. China. Japan. Medi terranean Ports, and. Coutineutof Europe, at Forßnseell, KawaKawa, Australian Colo nies, and United Kingdom via Suez, and Brindißi. for letters, etc, specially BO prepaid and addreaaed, at 1 p.m. For money orJer3, registered letters, ana newspapers, at H p.m. Lateletters for Sydney and Melbourne only a The United Kingdom mall will lie dun at London on tfebrnury 22, 183?. For- Tauranga and Opotiltl, per Gleneli?, at ffof PRussell, Kawakawa, Eawone, Wangaroa, mid Mongonnl, per Clansman, at S p.m. J<-or Wangarel Heads. Parua. Walmi, Whan garei. Kamo, and Maugapal, per Wellington, Far WhUlanga Upper MUI, and T&irua, per Una, at 5 p.m. ForUisborne, per Southern Cross, at 5 p.m. For Thames, per Kotuku, at 5.80 p.m.

Wkdnksday, Sih lnßt. i?or Thames, oar Rotomnhana, at S.VI a.m. For Cjroniandel, per Coromandel. at 11.30 n, m. For New Plymouth. Wanganul. and Southern Ports, per Orel!, at 1 p m. For Wangarel Heaup. SVangarei, and Kamo, per Weitafcl, at 5 pm. Fur Thames, uer Emorprlap, at 5.30 p.m. v Thursday, Gth lnst. Fir .Port Fltzroy, Tryphena, and OKupu, per loi#, at 7 a.m. Friday. 7ih mat. For Glaborne, Napier, and Southern ports, por Hiuroto, at 11 a.m. (Rißneil) 3. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster. Ohlef Post office. Auckland.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

9ON9KT.—This evenlnst, 7.13. HriNHiaE 'l'o-morrow morning. 4 M Moon's AOB-Kull Moon, 10th. 10 v a m,

HIGH WATER.

ArjCKLAND-This aftirnoou. 0.45 : tomorrow niMAtfcKin HEAIiS-Thls afcarnoon. 3 25; to ''iC^pliu^Sfba 'This afternoop, 4.25; to morrow Dic-rnlnff, -i.42.

ARRIVALS.

LAST EVENING, filenelg, B 8., Johnßon, from Vr'hanfiasel TO-DAY. Hawaid, eohooner. from Whaostaroa jytimlha, Eclioonor, from Whangaivl

DEPARTURES.

IABT EVBNEJO. I.Uricoaa. R.M.S., Hayw*rd. for San Francisco

BTKS.MKHB TO ARKIVIT. loaa. from Mccary B»»,J •* t'linemao, from Russell, F'laay Sll ~„.,,„_

TMR.M.a: M»rlpoM left .'or Sau FranoUco. vi,i Honolulu, at 6 Ifi P-m. yesterday. '^'heicboonor Handa Me is discharging at the hallway Wfcorf. _, f Th? #h MartoSly l^-^i-l tthen rotumtd bare to day with coi^. tl^m , Ksfel ihla evecing. Mr Jno. I>. i.tuart is cmer engineer. The s q Rotomahana leaves fur Sydney via MpisraDenb? Saimra, B Davey. Bunby,Slo3es Miss Pur3ley. Toe 8,». Glenelg arrived from WhanKarel last evening with tha foUowicg. pa«engers«-Mr ilumarftSdrana 6 In the steerage.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

UKPARTURttS.

■ «SffißsSKfiSufe3 PTh'Tni™ Co , Panßtilo. for the South, took Ks M?inhT WiUlami Eaunder-r. Youog, Upaher jBK i Jr'-jvos, and Jiolmo3.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

this morning at 10 o'olooK. ; There 18 a strong easterly wind. qxDOTJY. January 3.-Arrlved: Manapouri, Blaff. Ns-oton, ili!a day.-Arrived: Aorangi early. 1 this day.—Arrived ;Ohau, fron

CARPETS.

Wharf to^nv't Maripwa 8 taka will ptocoaatJPic>>»auiSH THB London, on Ihuraday "eLV*-^. -^^riMiCK

UNKNOWN.

The be. R"t<jß»Shana arrived f ronntt~ ,~ RB via HobarM?Ctb> and Southern ports aFS lwenew* :-From Me.b3uruo: Mies Buu^v nrr Mti -T H. G« en Measrn J. Ba'bgate, K. >V.

THE MARIPOSA.

' SSveSS°Auokland January 2ad. at 6.10 vm. Vassengera for Auckland: Mr Churnoide. Dr. j^QonivaV N. Goold, F. C. Washburne: alao, i 6 salool ana 28 sledge in traaeit for 'Frisco. ThoMarlnosaistoleaveaKaln for San iran olaw.via Honolulu, at 6flm. The following musemcera have booked at Auckland: -Mr md Sto 8a Bmuelf., Mr James Taylor. M. s Andrews iSa three children, Mr ard Mrs J. M. Bates and ohUa. Mr and Mrs C. M. Brown.

THE WAITAEI.

Thn Kamo Coal Company's B.S. Waltakl. M^^l^jbJK '^Krai "Sffi wU^feav^' gSnoSJJ •iS±r for wSarai, and coal there, re f^T^twi DortTalid leave for Napier and I• *a Showlll nstgotether ' sT£Mb ooca9ion, but iHaprobabla

Marriages.

«i\rif« nnWK —On Deoeinbor2J IHSiI, ntthc

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

TUESDAY. JANUARY 4, 1887.

>\jr tlm wrone ttM neeAt rtsiataoM. Tur th« I'uture in tl'* ilistui:;'e, An.l the koo'l that we on .10.

The finally-corrected statistics of the census of New Zealand for 1885 have recently been issued by the Registrar- General, and there are several matters connected therewith that enfi for notice. The total population of the colony at last census is stated at 617,054, which shows a largo ratio of increase since the previous enumeration. The low death rate and high birth-rate of the colony are again commented upon, and .special reference is made to tho greater fecundity of the North Island—there being in Auckland 4 1 und in Welling ton 39 births per thousand of the population as against _'ri and HO of Christchurch and Dunodin respectively. One set of triplets and IGI pairs of twins were horn in Hie colony last year, and no doubt the greater propor tion of these spring from the prolific and sub tropical North. Tho dark side of the population question is disclosed in the fact that illegitimate births are increas ing, ami now number 3-2 per cent, of the total births against iT per cent, in England. As for the death rate, it was for°lSSs only 10.76 per 1000 against. (9-6 in England. Consumption is the most fatal form of disease, causing Dl 4 deaths or 8-45 per cent, of the total number 'illis i*. -hcwviipr, fjtf r l"»? w ' theifinglisli death-rate from That in sidious malady, and the Registrar \vjth truth observes that "a considerable percentage oi those who died may be considered to have arrived in tho colony in a diseased state, or, from their condi tion of health. i>i'«..W— ~l p-*'1" 1 "?=' ease."" While teetotallers will, nodoubfc, find a text for a temperance lecture in the fact that thirty-one deaths were directly due to "alcoholism," they must remember that a greater number of deaths were caused by cold water— the violent deaths, especially by drowning, still bulking very largely in the returns of this and other colonies. On the subject of marriages, the re turns show that the civil ceremony is increasing in popularity, 23 per cent, of last year's marriages having been performed by registrars; and it is pleasing to note that, owing to the spread of education, the number of people who sign the marriage register by marks is steadily decreasing.

Whau Lunatic Asylum.

Possibly there is no allliotion which bofalla humanity so toniblo an insanity. Tho in- Bane aeem to havo lost that which dignified their boliiß, and from having been a littlo lower than the angels, many of tho poor souls seem to havo fallen a little lower than animals. In a largo asylum liko that at tho Whau, where no less than 30!) lunatics are confined, very distressing cases of insanity are witnessed, some almost resembling the caaeß of demoniacal possession which we read of in tho firs>t century. Whatever it may be that causes the increase of lunacy, it is certain from medical statistics that this malady is alarmingly increasing of late years. In the United States it has in creased during the last 30 years from T36 to 330 per thousand of the population, and some writers represent the increase in Great Britain as being almost as groat. It does not augur well of our boasted civilisation, for although madness was not unknown amongst uncivilised race 3, it cer tainly was not anything liko so prevalent in propoition to population as it is amongst high and civilised races. Some attribute it to alcohol, and doubtless excessive drinking doos produce much insanity ; but tho worries ai;d excitement of modern lifo aro probably more potent causes. We have been led to tl^e reflections by the fact that Messrs F. G. Ewington and K. Stevenson, the newly - appointed official visitors to the Asylum, paid their first quarterly visit yesterday. They made a most thorough inspection of tho two asylum?, seeing every one of the 359 in mates, as they are bound by low to do. VVe are informed that they found things satisfactory on the whole, and think that Dr. Cremdnini is to be congratulated on the quiet and orderly state of the asylums, con sidering his small accommodation. Some of our readers may not knew that, in addition to the immense brick structure where the majority of the lunatics are kept, there ie (a mile distant) another auxiliary asylum, also under Dr. CremoniDi's charge. The separation of these institutions entails extra work on the Medical Superintendent apd warders; but more quiet is thereby secured for many of the least demente among the patents. In visiting the Asylum, one sees tp-jny a formerly well known face in Que^n-street, and while some of the unfortun^e creatures are under the happy delusion that they are kings and quoens living .Jo a palace, others are terrified with horrible fears and sus ptcionß. As one looks at them, he is ltd to ask,— Is life really worth living under such circumstances? The reply whic* modern society gives ia a very decked ' Yes,' and hence tho great effoit «> mitigalo us much as possible tho mi-efy of the inaiine. Tho new wing of tho i(//dit;o:> to (he f syluinhaa boen commenced, /find for tho fuke of tho patients we hope that, all ppeert compatible with good work manship ¥7 HI be.m ulo. During tho last two months no Jess than'2o fresh lunaiica havo beentont to tho Asylum, and if tha addi tions go on increasing ak this ratio the state of affairs thera wilt bocomo Eoriouu.AA- t ready Dr. Cromonini ia at his wits', end to accommodate patients, and (ho misorablo accommodation which' is--all ho can afford

to some of tho- females id not deserving of that nanio, Wo aro informed that tho visitors intend making strong reprosenta tions to tho Colonial Secretary about somo of the arrangomonta at tho Asylum which j aro beyond Dr. Cremonini's power to re mody. The sloeping apartments of somo of tho females, swarming with rats and almost suffocating, aro miserable in the extrome. Tho doctor induced one of tho visitors to permit himself to bo shut up in one of the colls for a short time, and he says the sensation of confinement in tho stuffy hole has to bo experienced to be ap preciated. Tho airing-ground for the women, too, is said to be extremely unsuit able Tho only protection from the eoorch ing sun is a little galvanised iron shed ; and the laundry is very inadequate, no pro vision being made, for the sopurato washing of tablo linon and tho foul line:-, from wear ing apparol. Tho visitors also rcpreeont the furniture ob insufficient, and think the insti tution has not received anything like the consideration which it deserves. It is their intention to fully roport matters to tho Government, and we hope that tho poor helpless creatures herded together in such numbers will receive propor consideration,

Living Without Eating.

Tun wieo King of Israel did not, after all,

know everything, olso he would not havo supplied gourmands with such a fine oxcuso for indulgenci at table as is contained in tho saying—" Ho that kcopeth his mouth Uoepeth liia lift." Among tho most recent discoveries in one by nn Italian, Sigtior bucoi, by whieli it is olaiined people will be able altogether to Ojsponso with eating. Ho states that ho hasdiscovorod an African plant, tlio extract, of which Ima a wonderful power of maintaining lifo and vigour—all that is reqtiivod to support tho Human frame being thodmikingof about two ounces liquid once in oight weeks or so. Succi tested his discovery in Nubia and Egypt, anil having twice, according to report, fasted for sixty dayß, it is not Burprißine to loam that on arriving at Romo he was ar rostod ob a lunatic. With a cunning worthy of v lunatic of tho (irat water, Succi then pre tended that tho stories of alloyed hia fasting wore puro fabrications, and having regained liia liberty, went to Milan, and gave proof of hia sanity by announcing a 30-days1 fast in public—n teat which, though accom plished, in not at all surprising after Dr. Tanner's faiuoue experiment. Succi assorts, however, (hut Tannor's buccoss was duo to hi* exceptional constitution, whereas he claims that his newly discovered drug will oimblonuv parson lo" live without eating." Anothor point of difference is that Succi performs daily exorcises during tho period of his fast, to show that waato of tissue can be repaired and strength maintained ; and at a second public exponmont which he performed at I'nrie, he undertook to walk moro than twelve miles* on tho thirtieth day of his fast, fully t quipped in military uniform, with knapsack, rifle, etc. If Succi'a pretensions should bo established, his discovery will be a grand one for those si'Sthotic aouls whoso lino sensibilities revolt against tho gross pleasures of tho table, and if it can bo supplied cheaply, the lluid will boarogulnr Rodsoml to (ha crowd of poor litterateurs and others who experience a .difficulty in getting solid nutriment. Hut already an iwthetic iiidiviriual-an artist naintd Stefano Merlatti-lus under taken to show that Succi'b liquor 18 a sypor lluoua luxury, and that with nothing but water, and a square meal onco in cix weeks, life can be sustained with ea?o and onjoy mont. fclerlatti is, Hko Succi, an Italian by birth, and ho teems to havo been fired by tho lattcr'a example to mako known his wonderful discoveries in tho vay of living w.thout food. Ho states that onco when a boy he ran away from ochbo1, and lived for 30 days on water only, and wbilo living as a painter in London ho ropeelod tho feat by way of experiment. In ordor to outdo hia countryman with tho now African drug, ho recently announced a publje U.at for 50 day? in Paris, taking nothing but filtered water during the whole time. This feat, ai wo were informed by cublo tho other jay, helias successfully accomplished, and he ia reported to bo none tho wjcto. A com mittee of doctors who watched Herlalti'e i-x ---poriment were, we icai n, quite puzzled by tho ea«. Loni! before the tiinowa^ expired they declared that " Merlatti was Broking," and yravoly liiid a long document boforo t.io) warning him that hia lifo «a-. in danger. It was natural that luwUmlf men,* who are so fond of prescribing ',' uourißDini! fqad •' Inn variety t.f diseases, ahouid be terrified that Morlatti would die on Iheir hands ; but tho artWt allayed their fears by writing and signing a docl'ira, ti.n that tho Committeo had r»p-.'M(. i!y IV^orno*-him, but -that "-be WBS rc*lVCfl to continue tho fast- itb# hia , own ris-k and peril. Ho in spito of famine, and f-;ar, und doctors, Motlatli btill lives, nnd if ho be not a Ftcond Tanner, with an "oxroptional constitution," dotcrica the »rutftudo of humanity for his jneat eoonotmc .H.cQvmv. Ti- -^rncro En^u-h ---,„„„ win tio abla to Five a largo turn per annum which hay hitherto been sp?n!: upon fgod, and tho average Englishwoman «il hnvo a lmppljr lot when her wholo cooking utOUßili will consist ola filter. But we 'fear tho Angle*Saxnn public will not f.iko kindly to tho now "cult." which will [>:i>l)ubly bo declared , lit- only for Italian* who never.know tho luxury dj roast beef. A>l the naino, tho experi ments to which wo havo been referring may lilly remind us all at t.hi.-- timo of tcaMru that if tlioro bo nu merit in fasting, it is at any r.ilo true that wo should not live to cat-, Imteat to livo.

Mr (iosohon, who iff named n.i tho probable Chancellor of tho Exchequer in tho Salis bury Oovernmonfc, is a capable financier and a man of considerable ability. His liolitiea! caroor up to IS7S had boon iilonti fied with iho Liberal^ und ho rendered Homo vory good service, But his views luivo lagged behind the opinion of his party, and he distinctly fOfavated himself from them in IS7S. Nominally, hovvover, he lia9 still maintained a sort of connection with tho party, ranging himtelf with Liberals of the llartiogtoa typo. Mr Gladstone how ever, put up a candidate against.bim in the laat elections, and securod his deleat, Mr (Joachen'a political opinions are lees Radical than thoau of Lord Uai.dqlph Churchill, and if Lord Saii-bury is successful in securing him, his Cabinet will undoubtedly be more unanimous and stronger than bofore. Tho ruptiuo with Lord Randolph may lead to a better adjustment of parties. If Lord Hartingtuu and bis imme-iiato followers would pass ovor wiih Mr Go-chon, tho lino of definition between tho two grout English political pai'tk'g would bo imiro sharply drawn, apd the country would ceo tho issues presented to thorn from timo to tinio moro clearly.

Captain Edwin advises that tho indica tions of tides are lowor than ujual for !>( hours from noon to-day,

Major-General Sir George Whitmorc, officor commanding tho Colonial .Defence Forces, arrived from tlio South', yoaloiday by the s.p. Rotomnhana, and during tho afternoon was present at tlio races in com pany with His Excellency tho 'Governor. lie comes to Auckland on official bu.-unoii. In the first plnco ho has to complete the in spection of corps commenced dining his last visit, time not then sufficing liiiu to inspect tho npoountry forces—ohielij cavalry—and ih&Thanics'Jo'mpnniea. .1 [etherefore intends to visit Waiuku, the WafltatO, and tho Thames on this occa-ion for the üb'Jvo pur pose. Accompanied by Liout,-Colonel Shepherd and Captain Schmitt, A DC, ho leaves Onehunga afi 3 p.m. to-morrow, and' inspects tho Waiuku Volunteers on the (Mi, and tho?o of Pukekohe on (ho 7lh. U6 ar rives at To Awamntu on tho pin, uiid inspects the local corp^ od* tlio Stl>, louviiig on Monday, the Jflth, for tho Thames. This afternoon 'ho bat teries and harbour deforces generally, more especially as tho eJfCtric li^ht apparatus has been placed *s situ, and a large ship ment of Bubnvinoe appliuuces has arrived since his la"1 vWt It is also Sir George's intention to confer with the local volunteer officer'as to the advisability of the Auck ]e aiy volunteers joining in the Taranaki en /rimDment, or if that be deemed impractic able, of having a local encampment. The Major-General has e"ory confidence in the serviceability of Captain Whitney's ammunition now that the initial defects have been overcome, and he states that an official trial of it takes place at Christ ohurch on Saturday next. Major-General Wbitmore is staying at the Northern Club.

The telegraph arrangements on the racß -course at JSller«lie yesterday were most complote. For the convenience of the public a room was specially fitted up with all convenience?, and messages wore for warded with quick despatch. Mr Keith Wilson was in chargo of the oilico.

A woman named Bairett was arrested iast night for drunkenness, and when the cu?e was called on at the Polico Court to-day, Sergeant Pratt statod that the prisoner had beon taken ill during tho night) and wai sent to the Hospital thi.-i morning. Tho charge was therefore withdrawn. Thera was no urther business before *ho Court. Mr 11. G. Seth Smith, R.M., was on the Bench.

Groat dissatisfaction waa caused at Ellerelio yesterday afternoon when the amount of tine dividend in the last race, (£1 lie) was announced. Som'i of <he investors calculated tho dividend themselves, and found that they were really entitled to £1 13s.' They demanded the additional two shillings, but it was refused, and having collected tho £1 11?, they made a complaint on the subject to Detcctivo Walker, who was in the paddock. He also made a calculation, and found that the investors were right. Further repre sentations wore eventually made to the totalisator ofiicials, and subsequently several of tho holders of tickets received the extra two shillings. This apparently slight error represented a profit of ;U«f i&s to the machine. Detective Walkor has re ported the matter to Inspector Thomson. In connection with tho assault on tho rrumdigger Ferguson at Mangawai, it should Be stated that when Rev.- Mr GittOß heard of tho injured man's condition he walked four or five miles<.from his residence and bathed and dressed his wounds. ( These precautions probably saved the man's life. Gressy, the jockey who was thrown from Silvio in the Steeplechase at Ellerslie yes terday, is in a very critical condition. During tho whole of last night he remained in an unconscious state, but this morning he rallied slightly, although tbo sufferer is unable to recognise anyone. The tfev. Father Walter Macdonald visited the un fortunate man in the forenoon tc-day. We learn by telophone from Cairoa's KHorslio Hotol this afternoon that thero is a marked improroment in Crossy, and h«*is now conscious.

Tho well-known contractor, Mr G. Mar shall, got rather a bad kick from the race horse Cinderella on Saturday in the paddling paddock at Ellerslie. Luckily Mr, Mar shnll's riba were not broken, and under Dr. Hooper's care ho is rapidly progressing to rocovery from tho hurt.

Tbo Suprome Court Chamber sitting, which waa to have been hold to-day, was postponed till Friday.

A dead body wag footid under the cliff near St. Mary's, Poneonby, this morning, and word having boon sent to the^.-water polico, they had it conveyed to the morgue. Thero the body was identified as that of Richard KicH", codk of the schooner Torea,

who was drowned on New Yoar's Eve.

Tho Exhibition of Glassworks by Profes sor Woodrofie is in its last week,as it loaveß for the Thames about Saturday next. To morrow night, prizes consisting of wonderful glass pipes will be given to the inventor of tbo best and worst conundrum. Competi-

tors must not send in more than two conun drums each, which must contain something about the exhibition. On Thursday, a beautiful prizo will be given to the ugliest, or, as our American cousinß say, tho " homeliest" man in the room. " Truth " writes in rebuttal of tho state ment that tho land at Rotorua is subsiding. He says :—" The creek in the district has rifion ten foot, and no ground has gone down. As to tho first, had such an occur rence taken place,the adjacont lands would bo floodod for miles round, and buildings, destroyed. As lo the second, the railway' pegs put in throe years ago are axactly the sumo height now as when driven, as dis covorod by Mr Stewart, C.E., to test the reports circulated to that effect." Many hundreds of people visited North cote and Birkonhoad during tho holiday yesterday. Denbj's gardens woro largely patronised, and heavy demnnds wore made on tho supply of strawberries and cream Numbers of excursionists aleo visited Linel'.i and Jenkinson's gardens. Tho Oddfellows of Otahuhu held a con ceit and dance on New Year's Eve, which was very enjoyable to those present. Cur epaco will not pormit of the lengthy report our eorroepoudeut has eenc, but we notice that Miss- E. Hurding (violin solo), Miss F. Harding (song), Mr Day (recitation), and Mrs Orbeil (song) wero well received. Dancing was kept up till noarly ■') o'clock in tho morning, all being well ploaeed with the ontcrtainmont.

Tho excursion.* by water yesterday passed off pleasantly. in addition to those emimerutod yesterday, tho .'teamor Roto rc!<huna made a trip to Motu Ihi with a largo number of passengers. Tho Wesleyan Sunday-school picnic to Waiheke was a grout buccts', tho fine ferry steamor Bri tannia having over 700 on board. The ateamor returned to town shortly after 9 p.m. Tl»o moonlight picnic at Willow Qrove, North Shoro, in tho evening at tracted but few visitors, no doubt owing to

the many counter athactions this tide of tho water.

Tho Federal Variety Company drow a lorge houso to the City Hall last evening

An attractive programme was presorted, nnrnprkKiT • ..•ibrf-or'iw* Songs and dances and a funny sketch. Mr G. Harri- Eon sa»g tho patriotic song, " God Blese Our Dear Old Land " (written expressly for tho Company) very effectively. /Kola, tho Human Rocket, was again fired from the great j;iin. Tho programme iriil~be_#K pentctFto night.

In connection witl training of Ar!il lery ollicers, a I'rei ' -ociation uietsago from Wellington sa -"It is the inten tion of the Defence ' partment to place ccrtaui officers ihr u^iout the colony in chargo of tho various Xaval Artillery bat teries, tho guns oi.wi.iuh thoy will bo ex pected to man should.an emergency arise. Should tho oflici.rs c;ramanding tho dif ferent biittories desire it, the Government will probobly arrangn for a certain number of men to loom toipedo drill. At tho prctont time the question of reorganising tho Volunteer force in tho colony is under consideration rf tho Government."

Yesterday tho Nn'-.%<■'-" •* n-uifjelistic Association hold annual conference in Uiu Forof JalI> Karangahape Koad. Reports w, ■■ yji a'\j^2^^:J^T^^ made dmi - r'^ hist year in all parts of tho colony in the evening, a large com pany sat down to tea, and at the after meeting Sir Aldridge presided. Speeches woro mauo by Messrs J. W. Carr, Fletcher, .Tarvit>, Coopor.Coupland.Wilcock, KiDgand ,!. Jenkins ad'ocating the ploa-of this body — life in Christ and the promise of the re turn and reign of Jesus. Musical eeleo tionp were sung by the choir, under the leadership of Mr King. Tho hall was filled, and the audionce aunt enthusiastic.

The Equitable Life Assurance Society of tho United States ontinuos to prosper and inako wonderful progress. A cablo mes sago just received in Auckland from the head ofrico in Now York states that the now business dono during last year amounted to about £22,000,000 This is 6ome two millions sterling more than the now bueinesa dono in ISSO.

Wo havo been shown a vory useful liitlo compilation of tho laws of Lawn Tonuis, "as adopted by the All England Lawn Tennis Ciub," and tho rules of tho Auck land Lawn Tonnis Association, in pamphlet form. Tho little work, which is published by Mr (j. T. Chapman, Queen-street, can bo oasily curried without inconvenience in tho pocket, nnd containing, as it does, not only tlio nilos and laws of tho game, but aho tho lists of members of Iho Auckland Bowlinx (iroeu, tho Auckland, Devonport, Govern ment llouso, Nnrthcoto, Parnoll, am* Fon- Bonby Clubs, will provo most usef"' to our local tennis players,

Instead of improving, l\\o financial cr.ndi tion of liussia U going irom bad to worse. According to tho oflio/al statement, the ro ccipts of tho TrenjKfry during the first fivo months of the Current year amounted to £25,501,000, Or about £2, 040,000 lees than in tho corresponding period of )BSS ; while on tho other hand the expenditure, which amoyntod to £30,753,000,5h0ws an incroapo of i'l,01)7,000. It will not do, of course, to cbmpaio >'io incomo of tho fivo months with theoxpcnilituro, because tho receipts and the disbursements fluctuate from month to yionth, and no trustworthy balance can be struck until tho end of tho year. It is sufficiently evident, however, that in thin as in tho immediately previous year, whilo tho revenue is shrinking the expenditure ia increasing, and the country in becoming more unablo than ovor to pay its way, ex cept by means of continuous borrowing.— "Economist."

Captain Hunter, of Messrs. ,T, and A. Brown's steam collier, Duckenfield, recently reported the occurrence of a strange phenomenon at Hexbam, on the Hunter River, New South Wales. On Thursday morning whilst the chip was coaling under the Htxbain coal etacths a very heavy shower of rain passed over the neighbour hood, lasting about half an hour. It completely suspended work on board. When the storm paesed ov9r and the crew came up from below, the ship's deck was found to be covered with half-grown frogs,which were hopping about in a lively manner all over the ebip. Captain Hunter aays there were no frogs to be seen about the ship's deck or on tliore just before the rain storm, but immediately afterwards, on going ashoro, they were found in myriads, ajd that it was almost impossible to ta-ko a stop without treading them under foot. Tho driver of the run ning the coal trains between the Duckon field Collieries and Hexham, a distance of

five or six railee, also stated that when

coming down to Hexham soon after the storm, the country seemed to be alive with frogs, and that tho: engine wheels were crushing the creatures on the rails ia thousands, " ■''' ' > - >•'■ •

The Waitalcerei district is becoming every year more popular bb a place of holiday re sort, and during tbo past two weeks many hundreds of persons have visited the ranges and waterfalls - many camping out for several days. A rather interesting ceremony waa performed on Sunday last by one party of visitors who belong to the Church of Christ. A yount; lady, of the party having expressed a desire to join.the church, the pool near the source of the river was chosen, and one of the brethren duly immersed the new member in the P eUl' c!° waters. A religious service waa also held near the spot.

The following is from a letter written by a welt-known Auckland goldmmer.nowat Teetulpa, to a gentleman in this city, and may be interesting to our readers m giving authentic information of the prospects of that place :-" There has been no fresh ground opened wxth gold pros pects. I have been sinking shafts as far as seven milea from the camp, thd ground worked consisting of two patchos, one in each of No. 2 gully. In neither is there any lead* or run of gold, which ie a bad sign for an alluvial field. It may turn out, howevor, a reefing "district. Thora have been thousands of men arriving and returning to this place, and it has been a fine thing for Adelaide, but the game is nearly played out, and out siders now know the truth, which they did not get from the Government of the colony.

The first of tho services of united uni versal prayer meetings in connection with tho Evangelical Alliance was held last evoning in St. James's Presbyterian Church, ..Wellington-street. The atten dance was not co large as. anticipated, orobably on account of people being 'tired from holiday-making yesterday. Tho Eev. Mr Maouicol conducted tho meoting. Prayers wero delivered by tho Key. Thomas Hamor (Congro gationaHst), Pastor Spurgeon and Mr R. Fry (Baptist). Tho Rev. K. H. Bull, Presi dent of the Wosloyan Circuit, then delivered anappropriatoaddresson"Praiso."TheHoly Communion was afterwards administered Tho Rev. S. Macfarlane (Free Methodist) next made a few remarks about united prayer and praiso being held throughout the world during the present weok ; he also referred'to tho unity thus oxhibited byall divisions of tho Church of Christ joining their meolings. Tho meoting concluded with the Benediction. The usual collection, amounting to £1 Us sd, waa taken in order to dofray expenses. To-night tho meoting will be hold in the Beresford-street Con gregational Church, when tbo Rev. Mr Closs will preside, and addresses will be delivered by Revs. Macnicol and Bavin. Services will also be held at tho Parnoil Wesleyan Church, when the Rev. T. G. Carr will preside, and addresses will bo given by Revs. Mr Worboys and Mr Selby.

Mr Aldridge's Sunday evening lectures ■will be continued in the Opera House &B before, the statement about shitting to tho Forester s *Hall refers to the morning Beryices only.

It is.not often that Mr It. Bridgman, draper. Upper Qaeenst., hie a o'earliß out cash a )le. Almost 5 years ago ho had a specially good ono ; and n >w he has determined to give hia customers and f rinnds another nale, which will apeak for itself in vest reductions mado in tec Roods. Thn bblo will only lost for a. limited period, and the reductions are genuine. He has purchased a big Btock at heavy discount*, and can therefore give his customers great bargains. Intondlng Subscribers should;aoply early who wish to secure tho January Number of the "New Zealand Farmer." which will bo issued this year in an Improved and inoro convenient ebape. With the January Number will bo pre sented a Large Page Illustration for framlnK, ontltlcd "Landseer and His Pets" Other Special Attractions aro Portraits of tho Horses Tridont ar,rt Arsenal winners respectively of the last V.X.C. Derby and the Melbcnrr.c Cup. The usuil amount of seasonable information upon Agricultural and Horticultural maitirais published with Numerous Illustrative Cuts.

We believe 'Jiat If every ono would ue^ Hop Bittera freely there would bo much less sMn'ess and misery in tho world, and people are fast finding tills out, whole families keeping well at a trifling coal by Its use. Wo advißO all to try U. Head.

Grave Accident in Symonds-st.

A most serious accident occurred at five minutes past 0 o'clock laet evening in Symonds-street to Mr D. Stafford, foreman in Mr VV. Crowther'e livery and baitetabks. It appears that Mr Stafford had been to the races at Ellerslio and was then returning h >mo. Iliß liorHe'wjS galloping along, at v lively pace, und when opposite J->r. Wine's residence, Mr Staffed (oil over the right tido of his horse, and struck violently on the crown of his he.id. Aa ho H a heavily-built man, be was quite etunr.od by the fall, and lay so motionless that at first it was thought death had been instantaneous. Some by standers ran to hia afeistaneo, and. Mr aloppetftiio licr?o. Uj>on peeinj; Ifao dangerous character of tho svounda, it was wisely decidod not to removu Stafford until a medical man was present. In a few eoconda Dr. Wine wan upon tho econe, and after looking at tho patient, .rofcurfiSEt'-to""his bouse for something, on which to lay Stafford's head, and also for restoratives. Dr. Wine then bad tbeinjured man very carefully removod to the footpath, where it was necessary to allow him to romain for fully an hour and a-half before he could be further carried to his residenco in Welleßley-streot East. Stafford bled profusely from the ears uud mouth, and it was evident that very sorious injuries had been sustained, Dr. Wino also called in Dr. Daw so!), and a careful examination of the patient was made. They discovered an extensive fracture at the ba»o of tho Ekull, besides whicn tho scalp waa consider ably lacerated. Stafford remained totally uaomodous for Beveral hours, ard on coming to he was very delirious. Mr Stafford is well-known as oae of the beat -reugh riders in the city. In fact, he fre quontly dispenses entirely wit* the uae of the saddle. His accident is therefore more to bo wondered at. Early this morning Stafford was stated to be a little easier, but great feara oro bntertained that bucU serious injuries may end fatally. During to day Mr Stafford showed cenj siderable improvement, and when ho awoke at times from hia lethargic condition lie was quite sensible. The medical men have now some hopes as to his ultimate recovery, but he is still in a critical state.

Helping Hand Mission, Freeman's Bay.

This institution held its second annual picnic yesterday, in tho delightful grounds of Mr Kinlocb, about a mile beyond Avon dale. At an onrly hour tho Bay was astir with oagor and excited preparations for the groat event. Shortly after 10 o'clock five waggons, containing somo 150 scholars and about 100 of tho parents and friondc.startet' with Mioir lively and excited freight. Th( jour»«y out. was accomplished without anj uufileaßantnesß, and tho grounds well reached towards 12 o'clock, and by 1 b'clocj dinner was provided and soon disappeared nsceetitiiting sending buck for turthff supplies, tho ham "savages" andNelsoi Moato's "Challenge Ten" being, id greSb domund. Scores of the lads onjoyed a dja in the sea, which at, this place comes rip Jo the cliff and being shallow and a ploasatt sandy beach, i* freo from danger. Tea wls provided at 4 o'clock, and wa* heartily enjoyed. The scholars and teachers woe photographed by the librarian, }lr Wiseman, and ufter a delightful dsfr's enjoyment the qivalcado fitarttd btck for town, reaching Frooman's Hay jat about seven o'clock ; all adjourned to the hall, whore presents weradiatribiitcd to oach scholar after giving three heirty cheera for Mr Kinloch, Messrs Butcher, Winatonc, Craig and Jakine, who provided tho waggon?, also Mr Bollard, who lup plied tjrutis abundance of milk ; and other friends who contributed to tho enjoyment of Iho occasion. The Doxology was eung, and all despersed with the fooling that was givou expression to by one good woman, who declared they wero .grate fill for ono day's enjoyment of tho freeh country air away from tho smell and foul atmosphere of Freeman's Bay. Th's mission is now a power in tho iaoillty, and has proved a "'Helping Hand" to many, encouraging good habits and better manners amongst a class of youcg people who are not always accustomed to submit to the restraints of either home or Suhday schools. For some of thoeo a night-siihool, with a few hours' amusement with games, &c, is provided weekly, and to this it is in tended shortly to add a coffee and reading room, with other wholesome and useful social benefits. Freeman's Bay Mtesion is deserving of public recognition and sym pathy, and at present languishes to some extent for lack of necessary funds and suit able workers to develop and carry on this tiuly Christian and unselfish cruaado against sin and drink, and other concomitant evil?. Tho thanks of the Committee and workors are hereby tendered to Messrs T. Barnott, Taylor and Bettany, E. Wood and Co., Messrs Parkinson, W. and G. Winstono, Stono Bios, D. Goldie, Kinlocb, His Worship the Mayor, A. Clark and Sons, Macky, Logan, und Co., J. Bollard, and other?, for their kind gifts of money and goods, which did so much in making the affair so great v success, •• • . - • f

Great Fire at Coromandel.

TWO HOTELS ANDF O UR PO»SBS

DESTBOVED.

Narrow Escape of a C^ ld- (BY TELBGRAPn—OWN. CORRESP()fDENT )

Coromanpel, is day-' : A disastrous fire, during which there oc curred the narrow escape of a chil^from being burned alive, broke, out about seven this morning. A bedroom in the Golconda Hotel caught fire, it is suppostd through children playing with . matc^e- Mrs O'Brien, who was o* milking thj> cow, ruabed in, juet in time to save ».eh»d l and waa herself scorched by the fl» m". The furniture in the lower Btorey «»8 got out, aleo the furniture from Ljp-ob s and Fury's ;■ but in leas than, an, hour Lynch's, shop and dweliinaflpus<V the Golconda Hotel, three houfs of Mr Home's, and tho Bridge Jotel were destroyed. Tho damage is elated at about £2,000, and very little oi tlns^ is covered by insurance.

([■' ROM ANOTHBJt COHRF..SI'OIU )K>'T )

CoROMANDEIf tni9 °as'

Fu-y's Hotel, tHffGolcondf'*! 0' 2"011' 8) Hotel, Mr Jofin Lynch'a private Mouse, butcher's shop and etables, »j>d Kapanga Chambers, belonging to Mr &h «*e des troyed by fire at 10 o'clock this morning. The Kapanga Chambers <>prised four empty ehopn, adjoining the b»tel. Fury's Hotel, the first of the block, la eituatod on the left-hand ei*t of the street after crossing the bridge, me whole block was consumed. f Mr Lynch and family are!'" Auckland. Ho was insured for £400' onljT in tho Now Zealand oflloo. Mr o,'Srion is also in town, arranging to compl/to the. purchase of the Golconda. ' './•" It is said that Mr Fur^is totally umn siired, and loeea very heavily. Mr Woollams'"storo had* narrow escape. After very great'exertionsun the part of the neighbours, it was saved. Tho (ire originated in tie Golconda, and everything was very drj. The fire ex tended with great raptfity, *nd in the absence of a water supply^there was no means of checking it.

FIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PREB ASSOCIATION.)

CiißiSTatrßCHt thia.day. At 4.15 this morning, a (hop and roaidenco in Tuam-street, owned and occupied by Mr Walter Martin, general store keeper, was burned down, nothing being saved. The building* was insured for £300 in the Standarl Office, the stock for £300 in the Guardian, and the furniture for £150 in (he South British. An adjoining cottage vas badly damaged. It belonged to Mr Ueo; Linker, and insured for £100 in the Stan||iKl Office. Tho cause of the fire is not known.

FIRE NEAR MASTERTON.

[BY TELEGRAPH— IRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Masterton, this day. The farmhouse of Mr Brown Hunt, at Miki Miki, near Ma&tertas, was burnt down yes terday. Tho dv/it^t estimates his loss afc £450. The insurances are £200 in the London aud Liver(»ool Office, and £100 in the South British Office. The origin is sup poeeci to have been a spark, which ignited the shingles. * f

Discovery of Gold in Fiji.

Some time since J parcel of quartz was sent by a tyndicato it Fiji to ba assayed in this city. The assay having proved the gold bearing qualities of the stone, a well known gentleman here, whose name we suppress for tho present, was entrusted with tho arranging for a trustworthy prospector to laavo for Fiji with tlie object of foUowine „„ . tlin rcof » thorough search for the precious metal. Mr Tom HoUis baa beon selected, and leaves on Sunday next for the'field of opera tion?, which 5s in tho centre of tho island. Mr Hoilie n<*3 alono, but will be joined by a party at Levuka. *S # omo months ago a gofitleman i thowed_ U3 specimens from the earned partUof Fiji, which he had brougbt back, and gold was to bo scon clearly running through the stone. The gentleman who thojved un those speci mens is in no way cenoected with thoss personi now tending Mr Hollis, and is now having his ipecimeus assayed. The finding of good bUne by two separate parties in dicates, let us hopo, a fresh period of pros perity for the islarof Sugar.

Tomorrow's Sale at Sylvia Park.

.Tmiannual sale of yearliags at Sylvia Park takes place tomorrow afternoon, commenc ing at 2 o'clock, and there ia little doubt there will assemble the largest ntffeber of rejicsentiitivo breeders and racing men sem at a thoroughbred sale in the cdony. Among probable buyers here are tfs Hon. \V, Robinson, Mr VV, Douglas (J Napier), Mr A. McDonald, Mr D. OBrien, Mr P. Butler^and a host of other veitore, not to mentiop the Hon. J. White, \4o 13 expected to arrive from Sydney by ti-nigßVs steamer, and local buyers. In addition, it ia also said that there are everal commissions to purchase sent by iuetralian turfites. The lots to be offered !ot up to thUSty-three, and among the numberHlnre .full sisters to Martini Henry, Nordenfeldt, and Lady Florin ; full brothers to Escutcheon, Thunderbolt, and Mitrail leuse ; not to mention a colt by Trident's sire Robinson Crusoe, and numerous others with breeding equal to anything in the world. The sale will be conducted con jointly by Messrs Hunter and Nolan and Mr A. BucUland, and for the convenience of buyers a train will leave the Auckland rail way station for Otahuhu at noon, while trap? will aleo bo provided, leaving the Stud Company's office, Sbortlaud-streot.

On Thursday Mrs \Y. Walters'a sale will tako place at Papakura, at the conclusion of which buyers will return to Green Lane, v>hcro a number of yearlings and horses in training will be put under the hammer.

The Cain Murder Trial.

Further Postponement Granted.

[EV TKLEGRAni. —PRESS AS|OCMTioN,]

DrjNEDijr, this day. In Hall's case, at the Supreme Court to duy, Mr Chapman renewed his applica tion for a postponement till the 24th instant, which, was agreed -to. Tha Crown Prosecutor, instructed by the Crown l'roeocutor at Timaru, applied fora special jury, tho defence consenting. The application waa granted, the judge re markinKthat if criminal cases wore to be tried bylpocial juries at all, thi| was one of tho kind ot cascn ibu Legislature contemplat ed when it authorised tho trial of criminal cases by special juries. It is understood that tho dofence will be conducted jby Messrs Fred Chapman, Donniaton, Imd Perry. . I

Opera House—"The Libraian."

This laughable play, with its "pale jouag curuto," drew a full houso last nigh^ and the satisfaction of the audience \yas mani fested by repeated applause and continuous merriment. Mr Leitch had to submit to a double encore lor his singing.of " Tie Good Young Man that Died." "Tfco Foarf Divers" To-night, The play-going public are offered to-night quite a spectacular traat in the'reproduc tion of the sensational play " The Pearl Divets." It was performod ip Auck land during Messrs MacMahon and Leitch'd last visit, and recoived very Warmly, Among its numerous incidents ate a parade of tlio Salvation Army, with full brass band, through tho streets daring a shower of rain, tha leap from the rushing train, arid the combat between tho divers at "the bottom of the soa. The cast of characters ja very heavy, and the production' alto gether ■ entails considerable tapeose, Mr 1 Leitch takes his old r6le of 4 Thibbeta, ; ■■■■ I

CABLEGRAMS.

[B? KLECf' 0 TriJiOßArJi.—COriißlonß.] !'|l

THE ENGLISH MINISTRY.

Letiir from Mr Gladstone. j

jßeotkr's Telegram)

London1, January 3. 1 A lktter iota Mr Gladstone ia published , in thia moi'ing'a papers, in which he states! ha apprecfc4oß tne motives, that causecy Lord Churjhill *° resign. He urges Liberals ; i to adhere t» th^ir present policy while seek 4; ing an opportunity of a reunion of the different fictions of the party. Mr Goetiisn, yielding to the advice of the Marquis of Hartington, will probably acoept the'position of Chancellor of the Exchequer and ultimately will be leader of the Cominoiiß.

Mr W. B- Smith will temporarily hold] he position of loader.

Some of the Liberal Peers are likely to I join tho Cabinet. Lord Hixtivgton will form a coalitunj ': Ministry if Lord Salisbury iB compelled to resiffn. . ..;•. . '.

RUSSO-GERMAN ALLIANCE.

Mutual Agreement to Observe Neutrality,

[frkss association.]

London, January 3, M. BlowwZi the Paris correspondent of tlia " Times," writing to his paper with refer ence to the alliance betwoen Germany and Russia, states positivelyjthat Germany is § engaged nos to intervene in the event of ah Austro-Roesian conflict, and that Russia is similarly engaged not to take part in any Franco-German conflict. In consequence of^bis alliance M. Blqwltz writoo tho* it ier* expected Bulgaria will have to eubmit to * Russian administration.

Destructive Fire in London.

[heuter's telegram.]

London, January Ist. A fire occurred in Wood-street, in the city last night, by which a block of ware houses was destroyed, an enormous amount of damage being done.

Kangoon, January I.—lntelligence ia to hand from Bbamo that the ruby mines were occupied by the British troops on Wednes day without opposition.

France and Egypt.

Caibo, January 1. — Count Danoay, French diplomatic agent, at a reception to day, stated that France would not allow her interests in Egypt to be endangered, and had decided to take measures accord ingly. XSLjj

THE IRISH PARTY.

I'AKNELL INTERVIEWED,

Plans for tho Future.

(SPECIAL MESSAGE TOME '' EVENING NEWS,")

London, December 22. , I Quit correspondent wires : —To-day I bad a § lonj; interview with Mr Parnell in his hotel | in London. The subject of the discussion 1 was the present state of Ireland, and the plans for the further prosecution of the- I movement for securing "Ireland for Ire land." From what Mr Parnell disclosed to me lam fully convinced that the position | of the Irish tenants ia far worse than it 1 was at the time when ho introduced his bill for the " Suspension of Pay- j ment of Keats" in Ireland. Mr- Parnell ! said that tho plan of the present campaign .was fcinfply to procure abatement of tents, where everything elee .had failed. Ha |j thought it highly improvable that the I Government would proposer a coercion bill for Ireland. Questioned as to why he had come to that conclusion, he replied that in 1 the "face of the remarkable diminution of . crime-amounting' to an" almost entire i ab&ence of crime—there was no excuse § tor coercion or suppression, unless it .' should bo that the English Govern-*,; mont would liko to, see the Irieh nation 8 goaded on to a state of frenzy. Asked i as to the probable result of the sup- M pression of the Irish National League, he, re- m plied that the inevitable result would be*the H organisation of secret societies, and probably *y the revival of crime. Mr Parnell thought it* J highly probable that the Government would '% be obliged to introduce a biljMo effect a.... reduction in the judicial rents to the etan- m dard of the recent decisions of the Land ;* Commissioners. Mr Parrielll believeß there^ is great hope in the future for Ireland. «j Speaking of-his intended action in the ■ coming session of Parliament, Mr Parnell?! eaid that he would lead a strong attack | upon the whole policy and action of the , Government.

TELEGRAMS.

Wellington, this day,

The Criminal sitting*

The Supreme Court criminal sittings commenced this morning. Judge Rich mond, in his charge to the Grand Jury, eaid the calendar was of average length, and included the usual number of petty charges, and one or two of a more serious nature. In referring to -what His Honor termed an unusual case, that in which a woman was charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life for her infant, he took occasion to remark on the Social Purity question. He considered it was ODly right this Bub ject should be brought under the notice of the leading inhabitants of the city, and that it should be their duty to cherish an intense desire to remedy the evil, but admitted the remedy was deep and difficult. He re gretted to_ say Wellington exhibited all the features oi the great and vicious cities of the present day, although, of course, on a smaller scale. The Grand Jury brought in ,true bills against Samuelßennett for break ing and entering, and Henry Offer for em bezzlement.

Dbnepin, thia day.

Man Found Dead,

Jonathan Golding, bootmaker, was found>' dead in a paddock at Melton yesterday. ■•.. Death ia supposed to have resulted from -'■ apoplexy.

Criminal Sessions.

Tho following sentences have been passed: —PMlip.Proad, robbery, three months; William Stewart Leo, forgery, twelve months; John Henry Sutherland, larceny, two jears; Henry Percy Fish, es caping from custody aDd larceny, pleaded guilty, making a long tirade againet the press for prejudicing him in the minds of the public and preventing hia getting a fair trial. He was remanded for sentence.

THE IRISH QUESTION.

TnE Irish Loyal and Patriotic Union, established to upholl the supremacy of the Imperial Parliii meDt and the malntononco of the Legliilative Ution rs it now exists betweon Great Britain and Ireland, appeals to tho Australasian publlo for funds, which may tc pjld Into ths branches of the Union Bank of Australia (Limited). | /

TnElrasii Question.-AHistoryaiuiaP] ea.— Contains a couiplt-te account of the-ParnelHte co.Dßpirat'.y alnco 1577, and has been issued ospeolally for Austialasiunreadera. Copies may be had at lho cbii-f offlcee, n 9, Gratton.Btreet. Duolin: London offlios. 26. Palaos Chambers, Weßtminster. London; and at tho office of " The Age, Melbourne. ' •

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

(Blf TELEGKAPH — O/WN CORRESPONDENT.)

Thames, thie day. Cajkbria.—When breaking down the hang injjwall reef in tho eastern drive at No. '2 level to-day, gOlbs of specimens were ob tained. No further quartz has been broken in the western drive. - . ' '

TOE AUCKLAND EVENING STAB, TUESDAY, JANUARY' 4, 1887.



IbNDBBSON & M.oIVOR Are now holding a . GENUINE CHEAP CASH SALB OF TITKIB WN MANUFACTURED FURNITURE AT GREATLY REDUCED PKIOES, FOR ONE MONTH ONLY. UITES IN CRETONNE, FROM £8 10a, ana Other Goods Equally Low. HENDERSON & MoIVOB, ABINETMAKKR3 AND UPHOLSTERERS, KARANGAHAPE ROAD. INKS & J5 ALLI CABINETMAKERS, ♦ UPHOLSTERERS, AND CARPET WAREHOUSEMEN. OALB OF QURPLUB QTOCK FOR ONE MONTH, AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES, ANT) '" FIVE PER CENT. DISCOUNT. g PER CENT. ON AM- CA3H PURCHASES WINKS & BALL, BHORTLANDSTREET. X\T ANTED KNOWN. EAMO COLLIERY OFFICE Itempvort from Meßsrs Mttchelaon and Co.'s to Office formor ooraptod by them ("ate H. N. Smith's), Queen-street. CHRISTMAS CARDS V/ A KELSEY'S, oppoalt* th» Town OlOOfc XAPANESE CURIOS *J At KELSEY'S. oppoiltathe TCWB OlOoJe. mBNNIS KACK.ET3 X At KELSKY'3, oppoalt* til* Town OIOOE. O At KELSEY'd, oppoalte the Town Olook. NO IMITATION JEWELLERY At KKLSBY'S, opposite the Town Clock. FANCY GOODS of every kind At KELSEY'a, opposite th» Town Clock. it 4a ■KWssTi&aff ?s£ "prioeV&itly over Imported article. vy ANTED KNOWN wtfk PRINTS. DRESSES. MILLINERT, HOSIBRY. to. MOW BHOWINO. Prices low as usual. ■rieadia Lot PJONIC HATS, froai «•• !%■ W. P. OGILVIB. " TIOTORIABTREKT WEST. CELLING OFF! SELLING OPS'I GREAT BARGAINS FOR CHRISTMAS I IMPORTANT TO ALL who are making their Christmas Purchaiea and wlah to save money. la coiueqceuoe o£ bad times and keen compe- UUon I. FKRNaNUKZ. tbe well-knowa Cheap will Bfcof :- • CLOTHING DEPARTMENT. » Men's stiong Tweed Suits, complete. 15a. worth Meii'a Summer Tweed Trousers and Vests. Men'a 3bt'ro^s° rWeariDg Tweed TroUßera, la lid, Men^'sttoug WorWog. SUrtii. ■">♦»* ~"— ---»«BWMfer-1riJaiBa Brown Cotton Undershirts, Boyb' b'iiaag Tweed Kulcker Salts, complete, (or 3j lid ■ Boj s' Ho'.U nd Coate, 2a 6d eaoh Men's Silk Imat Coata. 15a. woith 25a Boys' Hals from 61 each Aleo. Men'a Hata from la up-a very large variety to choose troro. See windows; all goods marked -In plain figures. OKAPEiiY & BURNISHING DEPARTMENT Heavy Twiln-a Unbleacned Siieetiug, 2 yards ■wide. M per yard Really wood n hits Calico, 3d p9r yard L irge \V h its Turkiab Towt la, 6d each -^tfong Oot;on anirtlnpr, 4Jd per yard iicavy Cotton Bed Tlr.feiug, ijd per yard ■, oi>u Lace Window Cu rl aiEß, 8a 6d per pair .'aid vviao Brown Holland, W p^ryard arce White Frltged Counttrpani-s, 3a lid each B w) ouallty Tapmiry Cartjit. Is 6d per yard tur ' wide Flourcloth. la per yard U.o'niits, laoa ; HeaithruKß. 3jUd " 500 }»i da ol beiiitiful Siuoimar Dress Material at LtaoTliew "simmer Waßhing Prints, last colours ta. worth 7»d (CO j ards It Cuuvaa Cloth In pretty summer shadta. "id, worth Is 6d .Jood quality Djuble-width Blue black Caah mere, 19 Oil per yard i!«o about <oo pieces of all ths New Summer Dresn Fables of every description, to be uo'd at hair price dI&AT BiRGAINS IN THE aHOW ROOMS 0 0 1 «(!!«»• and Children's Straw Hats, Is each U-.-iintif.il and styliehly-trlmmed Hata and Beactitu at a very great redaction i<-dieV Hi&ided Jerseys, sj6d, worth 10s6d iliO Lollies' UiuDrellaa and Sunbhadeß, 2s lid each, >o. tn Cs Bi Mb Puira ot Ladles' Coreets at Is lid unct-ituthinK. Baby Linen. Flowers, Feathers, Itibbona, Laces, etc., to be almost given away SPECIAL BARGAINS. •ttrone Tweed for men's end boys' wear, Is 6d • ntr yard, worth 2s Ud Very strong Coloured Moleskins, la M per yard Doubio-wlath Blue Cloth for Ladiss Riding Habits. Cs lid per yard, worth 12s M PRE3KNT3. Toys and Fancy Aitlclc?, suitable for Christmas pre°ems. at just quatter the usual prices. Come and see them. Country settlers vlaltlhfc Auckland for Christ mas and the New Year will cave Sa In the £ on their purchases. Traznoare pasa the shop. Tfor the convenience of residents of Onehuoga, Manuare. and vicinity. I. F. hae OPENED a BRANCH SHOP at QUESN-STREET, ONE HUNG A, with gooiSa at sale prices. Don't forget tbe Address : FERNANDEZ, DRAPER AND CLOTHIER, KAHASSAHArE ROAD, NEWTON. AND TBS BKKHIVE. QUEBNST., ONKHONOA. p ARLICK AND /^RANWBLL Wish to direct attention to their Stook of CURTAINS.- 127 dlffarent patterns In Tap eatry. CretonDe, Guipure. Cor bert, Scotch and Not.ingham Lace, Leno and Madras Muslin, from aa 9d to 50a per pair. A Special Line: 60 pairs of Tape bound Curtalnß, 3yds long, ta 6d per pair. TONNES.—An immense stock of Slnulf and Double Twill Crepe, Rep«nd Nteen Cretonnes. A JOB Line BOKDERffiIJ Rep Cretonne ■ Curtains, lOd per yd; ordinary CO, lsßd. jjt °Sr present ?,'u)ck. pnrchMed us to thfiradvance in wool, .r-jSKoid Erices: Bing!e "•• Wpl'i Doable, Ila j*i /S^Jfland Upholster- China, .TOWMsTi» quantity of the Hae now a lurou* 0 [ W hioh wm ■ . baiid.le§m§UT. It has been Witjlo Buildings in • v Australia durinK the Christmas Pbkeukw and given New y^plhfaotion.-Sar- BSfcKNWELI* Bolt " Speotel AttenfS^^ ▼««•*£ . DINNER SERVICES"-?- J Jf"In^'l SETS, IGLASBWARE, OlsSK™* 0; j Which for Variety and Cheapriai%) — ; unequalled in Auckland;-L. 1' I ihersl Discount allowed to Large Co*' fnioh as Hotol. Reataurant, and Boardio; Proprietor*. N. B -Prices for Cash an the Lowwf 7T or Subaihs. , f' Please note tbe Addresa^- \ Lv 2ffl—QVE f r' , "^T_97B. (b"ppo«it« Tutf • : .■■.... ,M? (



CLEARING CASH SALE OF rvUAPERY AND /~ILOT-HING, PRIOR TO STOCKTAKING. •M. R. BRIDGMAN Desires to Inform his Friends and the Public that it la over five years since he has bad a CLEARING CASH SALE, and finding SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS OVER STOCKED, baa determined prior to Stocktaking to nmls o GREAT REDUCTIONS for a short time to effect a SPEEDY CLEARANCE. While not thinking a Clearing Sala avers few monthß advisable, W.R.B. certainly thinks It desirable at such an Interval as the above. Included in salo will bo sovorol largo lines of Goodß bought from Beveral VV'arenmlßeß. at aTely HEAVY DISCOUNT. The Bale wilt he thoroughly genuine, and needs no puff. 28S, UPPER QUEENSTRRET, AUCK LAND. Extraordinary Cheap Lines. ;| _ 1.200 Girls' ana Children* Hats, New Shapes, all at Is lid eaoh. Gooda worth from 3a 6d to 63 6d eaon. 800 Do., Best Qooda, at 2s 1W ; Regular Prloa from Sb 6d to 9a Od eaob. lid; RegularPrice,7afid, 20 Doz Suada Kid Jersey Glovea U button length), Is lid. A Manufactured Stook of Child's Trimmed Sun Bonnets, all at la Ud ; Gooda worth 5j 6d. A Large Lot of Chavterense and Mobs Coiourca Algretthe Feather, at is eaoh; Regular Value, 6a 6d. 200 Boja" Kaioker Tweed Buitj, from 69 6d. Theee Lines ara all Real Bargains. THE MELBOURNE DRAPERY AND CLOTHING CO., QUEEN-STREET AND FONSONBY, QHINA, QLABS, JfJARTHEN WARE, ORNAMENTS, VASES, &0., SUITABLE FOR CHRISTMAS ANO NEW YEAB PRESENTS. THE LARGEST STOCK, THE BEST VAfrlETr, \ THE NEWEST GOODS, .1 . .THE IOWE^rBICMS, . AT BOYLAN & TAN FIELD'S, 174, QUEEN-STREET ;| (OPPOSITE DARBY-STREET). China, Glass, & Earthen WARE, JOHN ITwILSON Has now a large and well-assorted Btook on band, Imported direct from ilia Alanufucturtiif. Christmas Presents 1 New Year's Gifts ! BIBTBDAY PEESENT9 I Wkddiho Presents I Special Attention Is Invited to the Stook DINNER SERVICES? TEA SETS, TOILET SETS, iULASSWARE, ORNAMTENT3, &o , Which for Variety and Cheapness combined Is unequalled in Auckland. r lberal Discount allowed to Large Consumers, auch ad Llot.-l, Kestaurant, and Bourding-houao Proprietor. N.B -Prices for Cash are the Lowest In Town or Subnrbs. Please note tbe Addrees im-QUEENSTBEET-W (Oppoßita Tattle's Photographic Studio). GREAT CLEARING OUT BALE °* £10,000 WORTH o» BOOTS AND SHOES, FOR ONE MONTH AT GREAT REDUCTIONS FOR CASH. TO MEET THE TIMES. THOS. ELLISON IS NOW BELUN3 OFF HIS LARGE STOOK BOOTS AND PHOES AT GREAT REDUCTIONS. POR ONE MONTH. FOR CASH ONLY. THE FOLLOWING NEW GOOD 3AT MUCH LES3 THAN CCHT: CHILD'S PATEN r ELASTIC 800T3, 1 TO 5, Jfl CHWI'S KCD BIiASTIO BOOTS, 2 TO 6, SB PER PaIR GIRI-y KID BLASTIO BOOTS, 10 TO 1, 486 D PER PAIR GIRLS' KID ELASTIC BOOTS, 10 TO 1,5580 PER PAltt GIRLS', KID ELASTIC BOOTS, 10 TO 1,68 PER PAIR All othsr Goods equally cheap, ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF BOOTS MADE TO ORDER ON THE PREMISES. EMPTY TRUNKS FOR SALE CHEAP, J£-R OS. ELLISON, BOOTMAKER AND IMI OUTER, 7i, QUEEN ' arßnEi'. TAB. J-\OHBRTF, QKNERAL DRAPER, *0.. *BMO V B B TO PUROHAS'S BUILDINQB, EARANGAHAPB ROAD, IIATB VIOTORIA BTREET, MRS WIOG'S NEWTON LAUNDRY, <iKaiY-3rK£T(Ni£i« WSIWI. / at Establiahed 1880. ":-,--. «>, and Keaidentß of, Anekland ers D AND iHTOTr-n*rve ii»»t tola Laandryla uu oin^Teßtimbny; \ i published for several , •., nia , G»nta l Clottei | ek " (The raadeti»re{err«>«n-lacoUurtab* ( Lodge, PecS|^ •reatment bnown in all the British CV-- SIKPENCB.VOR SEVENPENCE, $§*mOF~* A rrr —r_ ~m n- rlvi



T TT TyiTHEFORD, t NKW3 AND ADVERTISING AOKNOir. t " AUOKLAND, N.Z. t Repronentlnar t Sydney Mornlnsr Horaia, Bydnoy Muß ( Melbourne Argui, AuatrKlaslan , Otago Daily Times and Witness Lyttelton Ttei«s, Canterbury Tlm«i , Wellington Post, eto. i 1 SUBSTANTIAL 0 - ROOMED VILLA ! KKBIDKNCE In Prutt-stroet, off WelllnS ton-Btreot; lofty, well - finished rooms; every convenience. Prioo only* £153, as owner lo leaving Anokland. £300 may remain. COTTAGE and about an Acre of Land In Wallace-street, near Tramway Stablei. /f/f* ACRE 3at Turanga Creek. Also, fit ACRES, near Vawa Kawa. Both & A lot* will be sold on Def M-red Poymant ivstem; or exohanged for Olty Property. J. H. WITHKFORD, < ShortlandV street S Z l .taAiifSwi Railway. (MO acres In tea prottiablo Farm, and »t.v K roat outlay .bail balance ut, 6 per cent. Tho oiircbaserieourtnK this will enter on an mmuclWtoly romanomtlve property. PaiUouUra on &upllo(U{pu to * J. H. WITUKKORD, Sliorllanil-straet R J~ MURRAY MOOHIO, M.D., M R O.S. Ifuura for Conaultatlon : 111 to 1 p.m.,atPond'* HoiuMopfttlilo Ph«™noy. l»» Qaoen-atrcet; 2 lo 3 p.m., ami 7 t oS in.. it. andFRIOAY. Pimiv. Cat.k lami-ii.



Prosecute tne Swindlers(|



If wheu you O all for Ateerfoan Hop Bitten (see green twig of Hops ox, the white label and Dr. Soule's name blown in, the bottle), tho ven dor hands out anything but American Hop Bltt erg, refuse it and shun that vendor aa jtm would h viper: and If he bus taken your money tor anything else. Indict him for the, fraud and sue him for damages for tho swindle, and we wUI pay you liberally tortl'* convlctta* " "