COMING EVENTS.

Hoctlnss, etc, To»nig&t. A|C-<ciil'ural Hall-Ffyar's Kquino Paradox atd Jttpanvsc Villa IP, S. . .„

Auoklanfi Taboroa^lo-Scrvicoat 7 30. Beliglo-a Meeting in tno Tont un aurrey Hills Bstato, Ponsonby Road. 7.i0.

Rota of Justices at Police Court. i Mnrcli 18-S. Macfarlano and W. McCullough. :

Auction Solos To-morrow.

T. M. Jackson-l'roperty and Otahuhu Racing Apßucifla'nd'/'H'iymarkct-Horsas, Waggons,

A?thu?'& Buddla-Weekly Poultry and Pro

Huntor b&°Ncian, Durham Yards - Horses, | w BjB uo wdan-vvo. kly Produce Sale, 11. S.*Co'ohran)& Sau-tiouajhold Furniture and

_ Loyd'on — Produce, Furniture, etc., 11 Sundries. 12. B. Tonka ScCo-Krult, 11. !•'. J. Jonss—Bankrupt Stock ot a Draper. 11.

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

MAI-j WIIiL ci.osk as under:—

Friday, 18th Inst,

For Waltara and S:>uihorn ports, per Halilooh,

at 11 am. , For Cowcs i>ntl Coromaadcl, per Coromandel,

r.t 11.31) 3.H1. For Now Piymouth, and Southern porta, per

Macgrogor, nt 1 p.m. For I'hairißH. per Kntorpriee, at 1.30 p.m. For Whltlangl, Gum Town, Upper Mill,

and Talruo, per lonn, at 5 p.m. For TnuranKs, mid upoiiki, per Clansman, at a n re. For Wanfcarel Knai«. Pnma. Waltra, Whan- Rnrol. rTamo, and Mingapal, per Wellington, e.t 5 PJB.

Saturday, 19th <ntt.

Kor VVaiwcra. Ta Kapa. ani Warkworli, pot Uds.j Casoy, nt 10 a.m.

Monday. 23th Inst,

Per Jlaripo3a as fo'lowa.: -

For Samoa. Sandwich lalanda, United States ot Amorica. Canada, British Columbia, Cen tral nnd South Amorica. and British and Fore ign West Indies, at 5 p.m.

For tho United Kingdom and Continent ot Kurope, at 5 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and aewapapera at 3.33 p-m. Lite lottsrs, boartns an extra fee of 6d In addition to tho poacajo, will be received by thn Mail Agent on board the staftmor up to tho Uina of mIKnK. This mall will ba duo at London May 2.

(Sljfnod) «. B. BISS, Chlof Postmtiater.

C_le! Post-ofdoe. Acikinnd,

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

SuKßKT,~'il\ln erontni*. 6.11. iIUHCiE-.—To-morrow morning, C 6. _>,-_>n':: Ati_.—Now Moon, 23Lb. 3.18 a.m.

HIGH WATER.

Auckland -Thle afternoon, 0 IS ; to-morrow moT-nlnst. 1.11.

Makukau HsAna—lhis nC;ernoan, 3 2S ; „>■ morrow mominß, 3 5», Kaipau* He&os -This afiernoon, 1.2B; to aicrrow morning, 4 51.

ARRIVALS.

■ro-uty.

Ai'Kyio 8.0., AuioJuo. from Taura ik'iv

DEPARTURES.

TO day. W-iraruiu, a a, ChatUsld, for South

STEAMERS TO ARRIVE.

Coronmndol, from Coromandel. Thuraiay, 5 p.m. Kntomahana, from Thamos, Friday, 5 30 p.m. WelliDg'-on. from Whang irei, Thursday nicht lona, from Barrier, to ni^h-. f!lans;nan, from Russell, Friday, early .Tines Nicoll, from South Sea Islands. April 3 Idterprise from Thames, Thursday, 6 a.m. "Walhorn, fro_ South. Mon'ay from Sydooy, Tues'lay oarly lvotorui (at Onthnngo), from South, Sunday, early Woiuiki, frjm Gisborno, oarly

iNtt'yVKD.s Gjastwisk—i'aku. from Toirus, with 27,G0]ft timhii- and 11 baijs gum.

Outwards Coistwis-:.—Pdku, for Tairua. Tho barque Sharpshooter has c'eired at tho Custom i fur tjydnsy, Tia A'hangiroa.

Tho brijc Wild Wave la exoected to tow to Mercury Uay to morroiv. lo loai for Sydney.

Tho brißantino Darcy Pmtt was exoected to leave Port Albert tor Melbourne yoet-rday.

Tho ship Lady Jocelyn will break bulk to morrow morning.

The s.s. lona arrivoi from Taurarea and Mercury Biy early thia msrnln*, and left for Groat Barrier at 8 a.m.

The s.s. Wairarapi loft for Meibourm via Southorn puts ai lpm to aay. with the fol lowing poß3o-'i;oT3 ffm Glßborno-Mra Tra£ ford. For Napier—^llß3 Tiiku, Metsra M-- I,9an, J. H. Brown U. No;t. Serillo. For Wel lington-Mr and Mm Walton imd 3 c 'ildron, Miss lluddle»tona. Mu.srs 11. r. Hdton. V, BroatOD, T. Jnnc.in, W. Murker, Meek. . UnrrL-l. J J. IlamiltoiJ. H. J. T. r. Tnorn'oa, Mr RUd Jtrs Koll. U,:. A. W'ilboii Mjor 8.-ownp. For Lyttelton: Mrs W^'i-'tar, Mra MoLareo. Mensra K. Hirnnn. Frf >. M'.lllamd, J. Haniier. For Duoedin1 Mr nn< Mra Itoss and family (11.

Mo?ars Minalns,'. V. Ko^s. J. Ross For Bluff: Mrs Ra6i, MeeDM Mait-ulano ond M«adl»y. For Molbourre : Mi** Kenrlrk, Mr and Mrs

Weaton, Wins Turner. Meears HewHt and Turner. Steerage for various ports :Mr and Mrs McHanßhaa and 1 children Mr and Mrs Milne and fum-lr. Airs Taylor, Masara X Ro fa well, R. Tyaon, J. Loamb. J. Stewart. R, Carruth. Rue«»U, Baster (3 . Harry, C. W. Hay, T. QedfO. J. \Vunl:?, J B. Stewa'. t, and Martin.

SCHOONER MARION CAPSIZED AND RIGHTED.

The Auckland schooner Marion loaded at Havolock Channel. Cook's Strait, with timber tor Lyttelton. and was to have sailed on Mon day last. Shi got underweigh on the top of high wator, but stuck on a tank goiog down channel, and remained hard and fast. At half tide she capbized, and slipped of! the bank into J7ft ot water. Ciptain _arsci\ master. aDd his crow, including William Cranch, of Auck land, cot nahoro iv sUety, but wore not aWo to take Bnythlnjr with them. Captain Lc.rsen coimiutnlcated these partioa lara to Mo<urs Caupland _; Co , his owner*, in Auckland, and acting upon their instructions, ho set about raaklnz an attempt to fliat the schooner. In tnis he was so successful that yes terday afternoon ho wired to Messrs CoapHnd & Co.. "' Vessel straight and pumpad out. No cUmagn done ta vessel. * j|| B .ui Hrst opportun ity." Tho Jlarion wai insorei in the Sonth British ComD«>y. but the solnonei haviui? sus tained do damage, the loss will I>9 small.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Dunedin. March 16 —Sailed : Waihora. foi tho North. Pa_fngera:-For Auckland : Rev. C. and Mrs Uriften and threa children, Mise Wilkinson, Messrs Tucker aod Walker. For Gisborce : Mr Kir-land.

Willington, M*rch 16 —Waitakl, for Auok lind.

London March 15.—The ss. Iberia, from Melbourne;, arrived nt Hyiuouth to-day.

M_Liif)i?ii.\'_. March IB.—Sailed : Manspourl, or the Bluff.

Whakoakgi. t!\ia day.—Sailed : Wellington, for Auckland num. Melbourne this day.—Arrirod: Si, Tara-

COMMERCIAL.

Kveninq Star Offloo, this day. Tub Auckland Grocers' Asacclation qnotea the wholesale price o[ fresh buttsr lOd. per lb and t roan eggs la 6d per dozan, delivereiJ, for week ending March 21. The above quotations refer to the b:st quality only.

Hksketii. Aitkkx and Cos. report of weekly salo is us follows: Fowls—la 3d to 3s; ducks Is Gd to L's 6d ; geese, 2s 6d to Js ; turkeys, 2a 6d to 15s; pigeons, Gd to Is; young pigs, 4s io 7s 6d; porkers, 8s to 12s Gd; roaster, 3s to 6s each. Produce.—Potatoes, 3s to Is Gd per ewL; onions, id to Id per II); cheese. 2d to Ud per .lb; butter, 3d to 7d per lb ; ham, Gd to Is per lb ; bacon, 3d to od per lb ; boney, 3d to Sd per lb. Fruit- Apples, eating, lid to 2d per lb; cooking, **d to lid pur lb.; pears, 2d to 4d per lb; iron tanks £1 to £116s: stoves. £lto £3; chums, 10s to £1 IDs: horses were sold from £1 to £15; har ness £1 to £5: saddles, £1 to £2; buggies. £10 to £10 Hide and Skin Salts, Cowhiilea2Jto3Jperlb healer hides 2to 38 per lb., calf skins 2d to Id -ocr lb., sheep skins ib Gd to Js Gd each, tallow i 3At PSe sale of furniture, slock, .etc., held at I'akapuna on Monday last, the prices obtained -were very satisfactory, the attendance -was large, and the bidding very apii-ited. Furniture and household effects, too numerous to par ticularise, sold at considerably over average prices: other items as under: 1 bugxy, £23 10s ; 1 double-seated do., £17; spring cart. £11; 1 cctharneiis, £4 ss; 1 but harness, £Jlos ; plough, iE3- harrow, £2; sets rait harness, 30s to £2 sa; Lawn mowers, 12s to £1 10s each; bridles, 8a to 12s each: small chaff cutter, it 12s Gd ; side Bilddle ii ; Gents saddle. £3: mangle, £2; roller, £115s ; grey marc, £25s ; Muck mure, £8; young grey maio. £13 ; grey gelding, £!) 10s; yearling colt £310s', grey liukcjv marc, £15; bay mare, 53, 10s black lilly, iVJ 10b; piebald pony, £1 15s; grey lilly £7 ss; grey colt, £10 IDs: dark pony marc, £«; pair roan ponies. 3* each: blac* inaro,_£l [~-,; ir ir ponies, £! js each; dark pony, £ o 03 : bay mare, £5 17s Gil; brown tllly, £0 ss; chestnut lilly, £5 U's; creamy filly, £510 a.. vcl'ow and white cow. Ho os ; bnndle cow £510; whito cow, £3 10s ; 2 ueifcJs, £1 2s Gd each; 2 Sows. fiolOa oaoh; lied cow, A 2 Is (id; 23 fat lambs, Us Od each; 25 ewes, Gs 6d each ;21 lambs is Ud each ; 110 ewes, Cs Gd each ; edging tiles, 30s per 100 ; posts, 9d each; rails Gd each ; wind mill, £!1; boot, oars, and sails.ilO; punt, £2 10s.

Notices to Correspondents.

Sugar.—CrushlDß of thn suprur cane in F'ji usually commonces in July ; but In n favtur able season It may begin about the middle of Jane.

Births.

BUR.GESS.—On Maroh 15. at Do-onco t. Ihe wife of A. B Burgess of a son. McPBUIU-On March 14, at Puj-ar Work* Cottases. the wife of J. C. McPhail of a daughter. WHITE. — On Maroh 2, at Anßl*fiea-Btrflet, Ponßonby, tha wife of C. VL Whilo o! a daughter.

Deaths.

PILOTAGB.—On March 16. at her parents' resi dence. Queen-street. Cox'sCrenk, Mmy Kvelyn Pilotage, the only child of John and Mar; PilotaKO ; aged 1 yoar. Itterment private.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1887.

for the wrong that necdi rcsiatuice. For tho future in the dlst_re, And the good that we can do

Friction of an unpleasant kind, we foresaw would bo certain to result from the attempt made under the new regulations to conduct the Volunteer force of the colony ou the strict lines of military discipline ; and we regret tv find that a serious rupture is im pending in Auckland. In every martial organisation it is of the highest iniportaucc to have every man in tho ranks thoroughly en rapport with the officers as well as with the central controlling authority! Tennyson's ballad of " The Captain " recites a ter rible example of how, oven under tho iron discipline of tho navy, men of free and bold natures may avenge tlic in sults which they suffer lib the hands of supercilious, harsh, and tyrannical officers. The necessity for " sympa thetic accord " is even greater in f.he case of Volunteer corps, since the members can at airy time re laliate by resigning, and there fore any policy which lias the effect of leading to a disruption in the defence forces ought to meet with prompt condemnation. To attempt, iv these free colonies, to rigidly apply a code of cast-metal rules framed upon the model of organisations in which j men play the part of mere automatons j is a grave mistake ; and that there j have been hitherto so few disagree- j meuts between Volunteers and their ■ commanding officers says muck for the ! ' good sense and moderation of the latter. '

The uufortuuate conflict which lias led to the unanimous resignation of the Ponsonby Rifles is undoubtedly the outcome of errors of judgment "on the part of those in authority, combined with a lack of considera tion of colonial conditions. Arbi trary promotions, haughty disre

gard of respectful ftiHl regu lar requests for inquiry, and general disregard of the convenience and interests of the members—these, so far as can bo sdou at present, constitute the grievances which led to the resigna tion of Capt. McDonald, Lieutenants Martelli and Jackson Palmer, and the whole of the members of the Ponsonby Rifles.' The situation calls for inquiry, and it is of the first moment that such inquiry shall be a full ami public one. Already the letters addressed to the Commanding Officer with regard to these grievances have, contrary to the Volunteer Regulations, appeared in the press, and as this, we presume, has been done with oflicial sanction, it is probable that full pub licity is courted. At any rate nothing short of a public inquiry will prove satisfactory or prevent the serious dis integration of the Volunteer force in this district. The report, which we publish elsewhere, stating the known intention of Russia, to make a descent upon these colonies in the event of war with England, shows the urgent need for our Volunteer force being maintained in full numbers and efficiency ; but it is vain to expect this unless affairs arc managed with equity and openness, Had a private inquiry been granted when asked all might have been well; but since mat ters have reached their present critical state it is essential that the free light, of publicity bo given to the proceedings that arc in contemplation.

With no desire to prejudge the case in any way, we feel bound to question the wisdom of placing under arrest the three principal officers of the Fern sonby llifles. These ollieeis arc no doubt responsible for what look placo at the recent meeting when the resolu tion to resign was conic to, and possibly the method of procedure amounted to a technical breach of tlio Volun teer Kogulations. But if so, it is all the worse for the regulations ! The members of the corps considered thoy had a grievance. They sought to have it redressed in regulation style, but were gruffly cold-shouldered. Tlioy then resolved to resign, and because (.lie oliicers state their reasons for resigning ■they are subjected to the unnecessary indignity of being placed under arrest. The arrest, of course, is a mere ligurc of speech, since ils sole effect is lo deprive the officers of the right lo appear in uniform : but none he less it is an insult lo respe (ed citizens for such a. t rum-fry offence to be subjected even to the appearance of outrage. The power to order into arrest should only be used in cases of gross misconduct or insub ordination on parade ; certainly it is an extreme use of the power lo employ it for every breach of the letter of the regulations. (Some high dignitaries might as well be ordered under arrest for handing the letters of the oflieers to the newspapers for publication ! It, is to be hoped that a more liberal spirit will henceforth prevail in the in terpretation of the regulations, Our Auckland Volunteers are in many respects the pride of the colony, and it will be a thousand pities if the present widespread discontent is allowed lo extend. It is not too late to avert calamitous conse quences. An inquiry is now ine\ liable, and if it is only conducted with judg ment, candour, and publicity, all may yet be well.

UNKNOWN

The breeze between (he Bay ul I ;Uuids Coal Company and tin- minuiH luia called forth from the Kawakiiwti ]ui»t ami among some of the local tradesmen « crilinimu of

the management uf the Company's aflitirs. A letter, signed " Practical," which appears in the local journal, sum- up the cas-0 for those who declare that by eiivingH the Company might be made to pay a dh idoud. This letter is addressed to the directors, and its positions aro summed up in thu following paragraphs :—

Your iuanaKOHient ia cnormonbly extravagant! so much so. that there lias not been a slullins saved for the last live years; yot the output of coal is tho sumo and tin; priuo obtained i.- tlio tho sharoholdera by issui'iiiTnuw shares to the extent of £10,000; you expended thai and then put a tax on the work-people by rciluuinu llnir pay ten per cent.; that made tilings no bcttvr; and now again you want to tax the eoininunity oC coal miners another ten per cent., and llio people won't stand it. They havestruek, an now you are brought to a stand. Now, would it not be well for j'ou. t'cntlcnien, to hold a uioetiuK and take into consideration some uf tho details of the working of your department; Appoint. ~ Com mission, and call for persona and paper:, and try and Hurl out where all tho money goes to. This would do good. Ml" Chairman. I notice: in all thing—the pay to work-people, and you refer to their savings in the savings banks. You don't I,'ivc them credit for temperance and leaving off drinking and smoking, and saving luilf-a-ernwn a week ! thus becoming bettor workmen to their employers fully to the extent of what they save. No! But you say they got too much lor their labour, been use, by bad management, you can't realise a protit. I will come to figures presently, and show you a thing or two."

The letter is fortified by tabulated state ments showing where, in tlic opinion of " Practical," savings •amounting to C-',OOO a year could be made " without reducing the miners in numbers or wages." The parties at Kawakawn who hold theße views are desirous that they should go be fore the public, and wo give them publicity. But we confess that, after a careful examination of the proposals of the reformers, they appear to US like a good deal of outside advice which is so freely tendered to conductors ot strug gling enterprises, to go upon the assumption that persons who are outside the concern can manage the business very much better than those who have embarked their money in it. There is a very simple course open for those who hold such views. Bay of Island Coal Company's shares can bo purchased at a big discount, and a good many shareholders will be glad to give "Practical" and his friends a chance of trying their hands at management if they think there is " a good thing in it." The statement goes upon the assumption that there has been no reduction in the cost of management, but that the directors and shareholders have benevolently agreed, while depriving! themselves of all interest and prospect of interest in their in vestments," to maintain a costly and unnecessary stall' of servants. This is not exactly what wo should expect from the men who happen to be directors of this particular Company, and upon inquiry we aro assured I hat it i- nlwu lutely contrary to fact. Reductions Imvu proceeded from tho manager down wards. Every itum of expense nhoutthc mine hiirf been tabulated- tin: nmounl and character of the expenditure even to a penny being weighed, to sso if it could be lopped off. In connection with the recent Illinois' stiiku we quite agree that if the men can :-cu any prospect, of bettering themselves they are fully just)! tied in letting tlifi mini! be abandoned as un! profitable. Every man has a right to toll his labour in tlic best market, and we do not believe that the miners of the JSay Colliery have bi:i:n piid nbuvo tho market rate. On tne contrary, they have shown very great modulation in racriliciiig a por tion of their own earnings in order to assist in making the mine pay. "Practical" is quite right in saying that the frugality uf these men as shown in their wiwngi is a benefit to the company and v uredit to themselves, and if extravagant siluiies were paid for management while their pay was reduced it would be a gross wrong. But we do not see that the position of tho other men would be improved in any way by discharging the hands whose services "Practical proposes to dispense with. The fact is simply that the company has had bad luck. They were working an enor mous seam of coal which they had reason to suppose would be found over a large area. They put down a shaft to work it more advantageously, and to their dismay discovered that it had

pinched out to a foot in thickness. Since then have been prospecting near and far, with (he object of pulling (lie miners on a better footing, and havo only niet with leiy partial succe:.?. Like Ico many other industrial venture;-, they have not received the reward which their enterprise deserved, but the directors, we are convinced, have done their best, not enly to work the mine economically, but to in

creasb He output. Tho statement drawn up by " Vnicticul" is already receiving I lie attention of the directors, but thoy evidently seem to think that iE " Practical can give one turn more to tho screw than thoy have given without bursting up the concern, he is a much cleverer man than (hey taka him to bo.

Mr IT. W, Mooro, miuemanagerof theCani blia Gold Mining Company, Aires to-day:— Cambriu: 135 loada quartz cruehod for 20!) O/.3 gold, 20S picked specimens for 2520 M ; total, JlHo/.s gold.

Tho crickot match Slmw Lillyw':i!o tcim v. IS of Uenriigo was continued at Sand hurst yoaterday. Bondigo were all out for :>IG and tho ISngHshmen lost six wickets for 283. The final match between tho Shaw- Lillywhito team and Eleven of Combined Australia haa betm abandoned, owing to sevoral New South Wales cricketers boing unable to play.

Speaking at Kohukohu on Monday night, Mr Uobbs, M.U.R., donounceel the village sottlomtmt rcheojo as a political dodge, lie said tho Government agent had announced that ho .intended to bo <i candidate for tlio House of Representatives for tho district at tho next, election, oud wa^ travelling about at the cxpan^o of tho country electioneer ing. Mr Ballance was a party to it. and ho ought to bo ashamed of himfolf, if ho had any shumo in him. Mr Ilobbs got a vote of thanks and confidence.

Tho first, mutch in tho lawn tonnis com potition for Dr. I'onnett.'s pri/.o of a silver cup took plr.co yesterday afternoon, on tho Govornmont tloueo lawn, whon Mr Barton played Mr K. A. C.irr lor tho bent out of livo sots. 'Iho gawo tn.lod in favour of Air lintnn, tho pois tunning oa follows : ~

U-:>, li - li, U—:>, Mr Bjtton thna winning IS ganios to Mr CarrY) !). There was a largo attendance of person?, and tho ground was in thft-cbss condition. To-mor row tho mutch between Meecrs Morey and Hudson in tho batno competition will tako plaeo.

Last niuht an ontortainmont was given «t (ho Gladstone) Hall, Ncrthc-ato, in aid of tlio funds of tho local Hand ot Ilopo. Thero vuiH a good attendance, Mr Martin MoDcimott actingneaccompanist Tholirst. part of tho progrnmuiecon.-islod oiii concert, tho oponing item of which was a chorus by tho Auckland Bund of Hopo Choir; thon cumo a capital reading by Mr Parkin?, a solo by MisM Humpehiro ("Sunehino of tho Honrt ") —nn cupocial treat, nntl nnother chorus by tlio choir finished tho Mist purl of tho untcrtuinniciil. Jn fho cautala which followed, "Tho Conquest of Lhi.ik," tho following Indies and gentlemen took part: -Mia Willows, thoMis'eaMo.DennoU, Tudehope, Campbell, l'ethoriclt, tind Mossrs Kilpatiick and Knight.

Mr Angus Cameron haf bcon iccloclcd Chairman of Committee.'! in tho Now Boillll Wales Atjsombly.

Pr. Lcger Krson, of Otahuhu. niuiouncos tint, nn and after tho 28th inst. his recidenco will bo the houso I'ormorly occupied by tho Into Pr GoklsW ut Panicli.

A (■iimbiiili'O native roportod to tho police this morning that last night ho waa nssnultod by two while men, near tho Go vernor Browns Hotel, and his boots nnil trousers, in tho pocketH q( which wan i.'.'!, wore forcibly lukon from him. Tho Maoii, «ho spoke lOnglieh fairly, slated Unit he bid coma to town to "keep up tho elovonttenth of St. I'nttalick," and wlnlo ho wan listening to tho strains of "St Patrick'? Day in tho Morn ing" ho was bofot, and before ho know whore ho wan ho wns bo:il!ets and breech less on tho road.

An elocution claps will lo opnncd by Mr Rarry in tho Exocl«U»r Hall, Newlon, on Tuesday oveuing noxt.

Cr. Davie* has notiliod his intention Iv move at tho next meeting of tl.o Ci'y Council : " That nil iiiutions tabled for Iho |uirpojoof improvement or eponding inor.ov in v ward shall bo seconded by a member .if paid wnrd so nlfeeted, oihorwito tho

The List trip (o Iho pre Font haibiur if tlio Hcrckcno special tcltlomcnt, Whan gape, has not bion co pucui s.'ful ne the others C-opt.in Johnson visite ti tlio h.vbour with his steamer, Iho Staffs, iviih pas?c-ngore, but not liking lbs lrok of tiling?', went on up ho-.th to the next inhabited place Ahipora. Remaining tluire nt nnchor for (ho night, ho visited the dreaded papecgo next d,iy, but dotoimined it was too ikky to attempt. We hnvo already called attention lo llio bad entrance to iho harbour, and it, is raliVf..,-.. rory (o loini that tlio commander of Mo Statin, lei whom \vn« intruMid a number of .cttlors' lives, was not too vontliresomo, (ho remit ot which might hnvo been a bad catastrophe.

liio LiUFiiics* at Hi" X M. I'ourt In liny hih all dis[iotu I u( by 11 lit)o'clock The o w;s tio auiliouco. and very low lawyer., oividently all bci»{: away honcuiini; S. I'atriek. Althoiigh I'ie Court c-mld not cloto, yet MrThlo. Ccop.-r bad arranged with oiher 1ok;i1 gontlcmui for ull iho prin-

cipol canes to bo adjourned in order that. nnlv balf-a day should bo occupied by tho Court.

James Muir, a bankrupt, wns examined nn ca'h by tho Ollicial Ateiynoo to day. tic stated that ho began business as a builder in .luno, ISSS, taking over hh father's concori), v.ith JL'25. but civinj; no consideration for it. He hnd nlso thn equity ot redemption of property at, Otahuhu, which brought JCIOO in excoes of mortgage. In Soptembar ho built with materials obtained on credit, nnd at it cost of .CIS::, a dwetling-houso upon an allotment on llio I'mirouro llmid, which ho understood bad boon jjiven unconiiitioually to his wifo by her iuthor. When ho received au otl'or of £660 for the house, ho found that ho could givo no title, ns the allotmont had boon con veyed in trust for tho übo of hie wifo nnd children. IHb eubptqncnt contracts had been I'nrely eullicient to pay hie way, and this, coupled with lopees, had proveuttd any recovery of his position, although ho had succeeded iv potting £250 on tho eoci'.rity of his wife's interest in tho houee already ro fcrrcd to. Tho wholo of that money wns paid to his creditors. Ilia total indebted ness now was L'JO's 12s -U, and hi? asrote amounted to ,1249 10s. Ho had offered to pay his creditors 10s in tho pound, but two of them anfwerod tho oiler by eurataonr'injj him.

Thiil truth U stranger than (icMon lin agos ago passed into v proverb. Its Jatee plri?t>, us fur as wo know, is the following —Soroo years ago two young mon eekctct land together down the coast, each of then possessed of a email capital. By untiring otiotgy, frugality, and sticking to tho " blui ribbon," thoy not only cleaied the ground tilled if., stocked it with cattle, sheep horeee and feathered treasnro, but upraiscc two substantial dwelling-houses, and fur niched tbom with plain but substantial fur niture. United na thoy were in th< bonds of friendship, thoy each ti^hec for other and more tender companion ship, and gravely discussed it ovei their ovtning pipes. It so happened that within .1 few uiiies of their farms lived f prosperous settler and hia two buxotr daughters, but the two young settlors knew thorn not, and had no chance of getting in. ftrorluccd. At length tho " two houses ' resolved themselves into a. committee ol " ways and means," and it was resolved that on a certain day they ehould interview Auckland's veteran matrimonial iigeut. aomor said than douo Hanhaford was "doputationieed ;" those werotho "ways," and as tho "moans " promptly came to tho front aud gently slid down tbo p ickota of tho colobnttvd wifo-providor, Ijo nwore lv I 1 <;o a bract) of angels (nblo to milk) in i!m ir wrnia ur dyo (hi* liair) in lliu ntl.«tni»(. Jn [|.-i.i i-oiirst< .'in advertisement uppeured in tire Stau i" tbo inlorcdln of those expectant Hiviiind. Within >i week, amongst other fair applicants catuo to llio li.tude cif Auck land's tluunuford mi exqui-ilt.ly writton letter from thu idi ulical Haters 'who lived " ho near niri yit so far " fr m tho bachelor brother*), Introductions foilowid, nnd all the preliminaries having been settled, Ibcre will poon be a double ceremony of an intoreatin;.' character. Tho registered ollices of tho Ktw Zealand Tobacco Company i-iuve been removed from 121 to CO, Customs-etroot. Bast. A special parade of tho Devoiiport Nava'a will bo hold lo -morrow evening, when, wo undorstnnd, tho dcci-inti of tho < Hi. er in command of tlie disiiict will b3 given iv re'aiion to tho late court of inquiry.

At Tauranca the other day, a seamin belontjin,!? t> the » s lona was engaged painting tho vessel, when the boom holding him gavo way, precipi'aiiog him into th-.i j writer; and ns he could iot swim lit;] would probably have been drowned, b&i ] it not have been for tho p'tucky cor-duct ] of another sailor, named Euamacucl Silver, who jumped to his rescue, just as ua was i-inking, dived after h m und brought the uofoitunate f-llo* to lUe cur- | face. A buoy waa then throw;:, but did ! not rc-acb him, ao another seaman went j overboard and took it to him. M:ver th«u ' twain u|j aca'n.-t. tlio tide, brinaißir hi^ mini : niih hin>, 'An uiiknoivn dun.-i .ml iV io j bha plucky ro;cunr, «hicb was [oconUrl l-i ' him Ijv i-li CocumOQSiu the ))rosenu>j ol Usp- j (:a.in Amudeo. I W. H. tioikinK and Co , Boot Manufao" tnr.-r.i, Vn'nn ar.tl I-'e'son ai.rt>ct-' .in.-klaod' Qr.C.'n- »>.d cheapnasß combined, aioiekeiipsr' and ietUcrs please note.—lAdvt.l

CABLEGRAMS.

THE THREATENED WAR.

PAPAL INTERVENTION SUG-

GESTED.

(UKUTISUS TELEaRAH.)

London, March Ij. Tm<; " Journul dcs Debats " suggests that tho Popo should summon a congress to sottlo the Bulgarian and Egyptian ques tions, and to discuss tho policy of a general disarmament throughout Europe.

HOME RULE TACTICS.

Attempt to Corrupt the Police,

(SI'JiUIAL, CABLE )

London, March 15.

Mr Dillon, speaking at Tipporary, incited tho jueticos and police to botray their trusts, in order to nvort tho rovongethat otherwise would ultimately bo taken.

THE MISERABLE CZAR.

The Plot on Mis Lite

A WIDESPREAD CONSPIRACY,

(.SI'IiCIAL 51K.SSAGK.)

London, February 10. I'autiuulakh of tho attempted assassination of tho CiS'ir show that a bystander seized « student who was preparing to place n bomb on the pavomont just as tho Czir and CV.arinn wero expected. A second student who had a bomb concealed in a bog was seized while trying to eFcape. It is reported that a woman was arrested having a bomb concoalod in her mull. On tho attempted outrage being revealed to tho C/.ur ho burst into tears.

Tho constitutional conspiracy which was discovored piior to this plot widoly affects tlio provincial notability and army. It ie feared thai tho plotters favour tho adoption of a panslavist policy. M. Karavololl'has boon learreeted.

The Assassination Plot

(ilEL'TEIi's TIiLKUIiAM.)

TWO HUNDRED PERSONS ARRESTED,

LONDON', March 16,

It i« rnportnl from St. Petersburg that upwards of '200 persona have boon arrosted, having in thtir possession bombs made to resoin'plo books, containing dynainito and poisoned bullets.

Hiding from Conspirators

London, March 15,

(riuiss association.)

Jr i- stated that tho reason tho Emporor of Hurtsia and family havo retired to iho Im perial I'alaco at Gatsohina is owing to tho foar of an intendod attempt on his life.

THE EGYPTIAN TROUBLE.

Attitude of the i;n«lish Govern-

incut.

(KKUTKK'm TKbEUKAM.)

London, March lu'. Jt la elated in olliciiil circles that the Eng lish Govornmont will decline to entertain any proposal for tho reinstatement of Ismail as Khedive.

EMPEROR WILLIAM'S BIRTHDAY.

Important Aiinoiiiiccniviit

Expected

(IIISUTGII'H TKLEUIIAM.)

Hkui.in, March Hi. Tin-; festivities in celebration of tho nine tioth birlbduy of tho Emperor on tho 'J2nd will bu nttendod by oi^lity-fivo Koyal por-

dimaf{oß from all tho Eviropoiu States. It is reported that tho Emperor will clioofb tho fcCß'lon to proclaiui tho Crown l'rince as CoKcgent.

A Russian Denial

(SI'IXIAI. MKSSAIiK. )

London, March i(i.— Tlio statement re cently mudo lli.it it was Russia who had bought a design from tho chief draught! ■ man ;it Chatham Dockyard has elicited 11 iloninl from (ho Government of tout country. A Sydney "Row." Tho " Sportsman " and " Evening News ' both uindo rcforenco to an assault said to lmvo been committed in a Sydnoy Hotel on Barnes, tho Englit<l) professional, by a well known Sydnoy cricketer. Hoth papers sus pend judßinont until further particulars aro rfcoivul. The liniicrial Institute Mr W. H, South, tho lender of the Houeo of Commons, stated in reply to a question that tho cite of the Imperial Inßtituto is subject to a mortgago of £100,000, und that tho conditions of occupation are not yet arranged. Liberal Disunion. London, March 15.—1t is feared that the attempt to bring about a ro union of the members of r.ho Liberal Party will provo futile. It was hoped b> Mr Chamberlain and others assisting him that Mr Gladstonu would somewhat modify his views of the lri»h dilliculty, but the latter adheres firmly to tho policy enunciated by him last year, ond declines to make any concessions. Scots Cliurcli, Melbourne, London, March 10.—Rev. Mr Leos, tho now paetor of Scots Church, Melbourne, sails by tbo e.s. Austral. Anglo-Colonial Postage. London, March 10. —Mr Cecil Raifees states that it showa a want of courtesy to refer postal matter to a select committee in view of tho approaching meeting of tho Im perial Conference Canada :nul the Jubilee. Canada celebrates the Queen's Jubilee concurrently with England, Irish Lund Laws. It is reported that the Government intend to abolish tha dual ownership of land in Ire land. Ni'.w Kk.vlanu Ijcjai* anij Meruanti i.k Agency UiMii'AHY'ts (liio) London Alauket Ticlk lUiAM, dtit'.'d tiilh Matuh, 1537, W'UKiT.- Tho mnrUtit is weak, find is likely to yo lower. Adelaide (new) and I Victorian aro worth lespeu ively 37s and | 37» (id (ior •liltilb. ! QuotuttoDß for New Zealand oats aro un changed ; tho maiUot, however, ia relatively high. Victorian wheat to arrive, iron ahip, is worth, c.if., 35.1 Hi per -iSOlb, March bill of lading. (kKIJTKk's TIiLhGKAM.) j limitli An? traliau JElcctions. ' ApiiLAIUKj JUiis day.—The general eiec (iou Icr I lie new Parlioraenb have com j monced. Mr Downoo Premier, and Mi llowo I MinUtor of Landf, have been returned with- j ! out opposition. ' ' San FrANUIKCO, March 14,—The steaiil' t-hip Zcaliindia railed yestorday afternoon I a: i o'clock, lor Auckland.

I London, March 15. —Tenders fur the i loan of i' 333,000 for the Uity of Sydney v ill ibe received up to tlis tiScd iust. 'Iho niini | mum is fixed at par. i New South Walt's Parliament j SyiiNUY, this day.-The address in reply to the Uovnrnor't! speech was agreed to in the Legislative Asieinuiy Uat uignt without a division. SvDNiiV, Monday. —It is iuteuded to supersede ete^-m motor by cable tramways thioughout the city as coon as practicable. Fruuce and Hi« J*«w Hebrides- Tbe latest howp troiu ilie hen H« li-kn staled that the Fi..-i.cb tioopj ihfte ln>« lately bfen reduced. Jlouart, tbia day.—Mr Lucas, uttorDGy gonera!, was defeated at the election for Kioc'oorouc;h by Mr Gill, by about SO votes.

FIRE IN JERVOIS ROAD.

About a quarter to eovon last ovoning a lire occurred iv Jorvois lload, Ponsonby, by which a detached four-roomed cottage waa totally destroyed Tho alarm waa first given by the l'onsonby liroboll, and it waa shortly aftorwards. taken up by tho bell at the central station. Mr Superintendent Hu t 'hof, who was. at tho Oddfellows banquet, quickly put in nn appearance at the station, and forthwith despatched a hoso roel and a dotachineut of men under the charge of Foreman Clark, in order to assist the Ponaonby contingent. Loaving Foreman Hurley in chargo of tho city, Mr Huulioa then proceeded in a hansom to the fire. On tho way ho was pitched out of the cab, owing to tho driver turning a cornor eomowhat too rapidly, but fortu nately ho was not hurt, and arrivod ail sound at Jorvois Road, but only to find that tho lire had burned i'self out, and had not boon communicated to any of the adjacent houses. The hou?e was a fourroomod one, the property of Mr Lee, and haa been empty over since ho went to Molbourno. Nothing has transpired as. to tho origin of trio lire, or whether tho build ing wae insured.

ROWING CLUB CONFERENCE.

A North Shore Protest

(r,y TKUitiU.U'U, — owncoiuik.sl'onokst.)

Wkli.incton, this day

Mit Nkii. McLi;an represented the North Shoro Club at tho Conforonce of delegates of rowing eluba last evening, and pointe.! out that if a rule was pa?sed prohibiting any club from competing at a regatta not eonduetod undor llio ruloa of tho New Zealand Amateur Kowing Association without tho leave of tho Committee, the North Shoro Club would probably not bo ablo to row at any of tho regattas in Auckland. Mr McLoan was informed that if the North Shore Club wished to take part in a regatta not, conducted under the rule? of tho Association, it could easily ob tain permission from the Committee. None of tho olhor Auckland Clubs wero represented at thj conference.

POLICE COURT.-THIS DAY.

(iioforo Moasra 8. V. Collinn and I). B. Me

Donald, J.P.'f) DnUNKEMNHSS. — Three persons plondod guilty to thirt olftmco, and woro lined in tha usual amounts.

Ai'i'LUs. — Alice I'orcy and I'hu'be Flotchor, two grown girl", were charged with tho larceny of a quantity of apples, value li, tlio property of Thomas Stoad man. —Horgeant I'ratteaid that tho I'roba tion Oflicor had boon informed that this catc was cimir>K on, but ho was not propont.—Aa tho accused wcwon bail, thoy were remanded till to morro»\

No Mkanm.—Sarah Home and .leuiinia Bothwcll woro chai^od with having no law ful nicanfl of puppoit. —Tho accufed women pleaded not, guilty.—lnspector Thoinpon deposed that ho was procccdiug ulong Bowon-atroet. la^t evening, when his attontitm was attracted by the fact that Hovoral porsone hnd stopped in tho Htreot and woro Ijokin;,' (hrout'h the uncurtainod window of a houao oil'that Btroot. Ono of tho women was undreeacd in tho room, and tlio wholo of tho indecent eceno could bo obsorved from tho street. Ho thought that thetie pcoplo, altliough women of tho town, t-huuld bo taught to havo eoiuo regard for deconcy so far as the making public of Uieit mieconduot was con cerned. 110 wont back to tho station and (jot tho oßeititanco of eevoral constables*, by whom tho prisoners and two men in tho houeo woro arrowed — Uotective Walker and Constablo tfaneon al.=o gnvo evidence. Bothwcll was sentenced to toven day.-' im prinonment with hurd labour, and Homo to fourteen Jayn. In Bad CoJII'ASV. —Two men named McKay and Adams wero charged with beinj: found by n'glit withoutliiwful excuse in a hou-o freqnontcd by ropwted thiovca and porronfi having no lawful means c.f Eup port.— fiiennerg pleaded guilty.—Sergeant Pratt said the!>o woro the men found in tho houco with the lai-t prinonort".—lt was etated that Adams was not known to Iho police, and tho cuaryo against him was dis misird. was Rcntoncod to one month's imprisonment uilh hard labour.

VOLUNTEER NOTES.

«'jly <^i!;jr<!,s.

Tills Compiw.y will hold its annual meeting al Iho Drill-glut! to-morrow (Friday) oven in(i, at 7'!o thatn. An thoro will bo im portint busine'H brought befuro tho meet ing, thero should bo a full mutter.

JVo. 2 tiiirrisou Ifinxl

As there has lately beon a great deal of iinploananti.es- botweeft two of fho leading members cif thu bind (to tho detriment of tho bind), a meeting of the Band Commit tee was held to consider the mutter, and after a deal of ditcu.*ion both for and againf-t, it was decided, wo believe, to call upon ono of tho malcontents to semi in his reei[.'nr»tion. Tho opinion was expressed that LiandmHslur Morris thuuld take some BtopM lv imjirovu tho band.

THE SHIP WESTLAND.

A CAHI.B message last week utatod that tho chip Wcitland had (»ono ashoro in tho Eng lish Channel. No particulars wore given of tho effects of tho accident, but a Dunedin tolesram elates that Mr Dalgcty, of that city, is tidviecd by oablo that the Weitland is not much damaged, and her carj,'o has been landod in good or.:er.

The New Plymouth Bowlers.

Tub representative players of the New Ply. mouth Howling Club were treated yesterday to a pleasant suburban jaunt by tho Auckland Bowlins Club. Accompanied by members of this club they set out in tlie forenoon inaeouple of breaks for tlio .Stud Company':, establishment at Sylvia Park, calling on tho way at Jlr A. E. Isaacs' residence ai Hemuera. The heroes of tlio stud having bcun duly inspected v mliidiiiiri:d.Uie party drove on to Onehunga, and thence turned hack to town. Jn the afternoon the following representative skips' match, 21 up, was played on tho Auckland Bowling Green :-Ncw Ply mouth : Todd, Jlorey. Dowries, Paul (skip), 21. Auckland: Taunt, Winks, launders. Kings ■well (skip), 15, New Plymouth thus winning by six points.

In the following friendly match Auckland proved more fortunate : — New Plymouth : Stohr, Uibbes. Newman, C'raiirmilc (skip). 20. Auckland: Valentino, .1. lioss, Patterson, Uorrio (skip) 21.

At tho conclusion of play the bowlera assem bled in the club pavilion, and Mr Winks, on behalf of the Auckland Howling Club, expressed gratilicatiou at the visit of the New Plymouth team, and tlio good feeling which bad been manifested throughout tho contest. Tho Presi dent's remarks were endorsed by Mr Gorric (a vice-president). Mr Paul responded on behalf of his team, who would do their best to give the. Aucklanders a hearty woleomc on visiting Taranaki next year. Tho teams bade each other adieu amid cheers.

In consequence of tho detention ot the s.s. Oairloeh. tlio New Plymoulh bowlers do not leave Auckland on their return home until to morrow.

Wo leciru that tbo roßervoirs uro beinj^ emptied tuuuh sooner than thoy ought, to be, coueideriti^ tho number of porsouu using I the water. Thero h no reason to fear a • dtliciency, but dlfcrction and supervision should be exorcised, so that no undue watto may ba allowed, Mr Jenkins tinisbed his contract for his part of the foundations of the new Bailors' Host Boms two or three daja ago. MrColo j brook begins his concrete woik itnuicdiately, IMr Jenkins was considerably over his con : tract time, which Ijau provontud tho second part of the foundations boinu; gat on ni'h. . The bhiugle foo tlio concrtta bus been ob tninod iiom Wuihcko.

| A meeting of croditors in tho bankrupt estate of M. H. Hoe was held yesterday afternoon, in tho otiice oi tho Oliieial Ab sijiute. Soven creditors urro ropres-jnted. Mr Laweon stated that t. ■: ■~h j.es ot the mooting waa to consider tv . ~.. i.^tion of the banirupt to havo his dieoriui^H ui.cln exceptional oircumstanoea. Thai, eou i\ ivn , done under Sectiou 152 of tho Bankrupt, ■ ■' Act, which bluted that an application, cou'd be made for ditcharge tiiLoi bet'oro or after the public examina tion. Dr. Laishley, who appeared on behalf of tho bankuipt-, stated that tho bankruptcy had now been pending four months, and Mr Hoe waa in ill-health, and therefore dtoircus tf going to Tasmania far a shoit; time. That was tiie fols reason of his application. On il.c motion of Mr Binupy, seconded by Mr I'.n or ituasicsjt vwi, ■• | Ikk Lhix mo^tiiig htiiii; stiiMiui lh;it Mi tioe lit ilbsi-tvicii: ul ejiniiathy. ana ib.t ■ o far an be is cuiiccirud bu bjoliruptey is a case of mitfortuno, this mefctiu^ requests tho OlHoial Assigubo to asciat Mr ltoo to yet hU discharge in aocordauco v*ith section 152 of the BanLruptcy Act, lSej."

CIRCUS AND JAPANESE VILLAGE.

FiiYHii's Equine Paradox and Willard's Japanese Villngo opened in Auckland for the first timo last night, and, however high may havo boon tho anticipations raised by thia grandioßo nomenclature, they could hardly have been disappointed. In other words, the "show" prorod a decided success, and wo have no hesitation in predicting for it a sustained "run" of good business. Tho " Japanese Village is located in the northern wing of tho City Market, tho walla arid ceiling being covered with tho gaudy parachutes, lanterns and screons which, the colossal visitors aio chiefly engaged in fabricating. Eight or riino fetalla aro fittod up as workshops for them, and therein almond eyed men and women were busily employed last night in making and painting ecroena and par.ieol.?, am) in ileilly carving bamboo canes, while a youthful shaver of tome six or seven summers, with elato and pencil in hand, was eagerly in viting tho visitors to set him tmns °.o that ho might di?pls>y hi-* proficiency in arithmetic to an astonished generation. All this w..s supplementary to tho circus proper, which was hold in Moseis Hesketh and Aitken's spacious Agricultural Hall, which is admirably adapted for performances of tho kind now undor notice. The pro gramme which was presented proved to bo both novel and highly entertaining. It differs materially in its constituent parts from tho general run of circus business. In tho first pbee, thero was no interval halfway through, tho Hema of por forraance being continuous until tho ond wan rosiched, and socondisnly feats ot equostiianism, and of acrobatic skill in tumbling, vaulting, and. trape/.o display .wfio couofjicuous" only by their ab'-enco wliilo clownih gag and by -play v.-oro kept within very modera'o limits. Tho entertainment may hi c!a-sih'ed into two divieione, of which tho first was con ; tribuled by Japanese performers, and the «ccond hy Mr Fryer and his remarkably well trained stud of horsr«. Sandwiched between thc*e divi-iona woro tho performances of Shillbto, tho mueiciil clown. After an overture by the band the entertainment, bcL'uu with feats of balancing by an adult Japanese and a child (i or 7 yeurs o!d, who was spun round upon tho uplifted feet of nn eeuior, and wont through with great miuyfiviU a variety ol difficult lunt-i, in which lie exhibited tho eupplenoM of auoftl and I ho limpness of a little hoil"i'hi>g. Another Japanese balancer showed h* much skill with his feot in the opening udij shutting of an umbrolla us an ordinary pvraon would with his lmndfl, tthilu a funambulist of tho ramo roco performotf on tho tight roiio with out fmy bal mclr.^r paraphernalia except umbrella nr.d fan. A third balancer spun and twirlod with hi-^ uplf.od feet a barrel of no recall biim, and then oapp.d LiX di-3 play by oontruU'iiK tho inovsments of the barrel and livo tubs st,ickr ; d one upon the other underneath it. A i^urtii Jap opened tho eye* ot the youngsters and amazed their elders by ;i very clover exhibi tion of top spinning Shiileto, tho clown, introduced pome musical extravagances, such a-i tho Fau^t Family uped to figure

in. iio strummed out tunes on a beef-can guitar, piped out ethers on a bollows- Muto, i.nituttd tho drono and ckirl of the bagpipes on a whittle, manipulated the violin both without tho bow and with the bow fixed In ab.urd position?, and finally played " St. Patrick's Da> in tho Morning," and ono or two Chriaty minstrel airs upon a row of bottles sus pended by their nocliH ivjui a framework of wocd. ak a reward ho received tho only encore of the evening. Tho equine perform ances followed, and commanded tho un qualified udmiraiion of tho spectators. First of all, eight beautifully groomed and shapely little ponies wcio introduced by Mr Fryer, and at tho word of command froori him went through a eeriea of military mameuvres with a precision that could not havo been excelled had each on 6of the octette been undor tho control of a separate and experienced rider. Thon came perfor mances equally tkiifulby individual ponies. "Bobbie" plajed at skipping rope; " Byron " waltzed and polkacd round the ring ; " Byron " and " Hurapcy " played at hide and seek j "Sappho" outwitted the clown at hunting the flipper, or rathor handkerchief; " Draco " and "liumpty" nmueed themselves grotesquely at poetaw ; " Ualeigh " rolled a barrel up and down an inclined piano ; and " Knsign " showed his eingular fkill in leaj,ii!K, while two goats, named "Siubad nud Sebastian," brought down tho "house" by the eaee with which they rode horses and changed partners while their stoeetn were career ing u'ong at a gallop. Tho pro gramme wound up with a aide-splitting performance entitled, "Circus lading Ex posed," which really must bo eoe-n in order to b.j enjoyed. Mr Fryer's stud of hori-c;' tilce the oako for docility, in telligence, .and High training. Nothing superior to them ha* over boon s?en in Now Zouland, and we doubt if thore has over been anything hero to at all cquai them. Tho show is very entertaining, but the management would do well in future to shift tho front seats a littlo further back to that (heir occupants may not bo over whelmed with loose oirth and sawdust, and also to improvo tho ventilation of tho hall by opening all tho window*

ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.

Tut; annual soiree in connection with St. Steiihon's Presbyterian Church was held |iist evening. Thore was ;i good attend ance, and tha Roy. D. YV. Kuncitu-in pro sided. In his opening remark--, the

Chairman referred to the fact that this was the eleventh annual meeting of tho Church. Invitations to be pre sent, had been pent to Have. Sommerville, Ward, Dewsbury and Garland, but they had been unuble to come in consequonce of previous engagements, This was the smallest meeting they had had for some year?, but the circumstances under which they mot now were not so favourable as then. Many changes had taken place amongst them, and they had lost a number of families who had been amongst them since the beginning. Con gratulatory reftronco was, however, made to tho Church and Sunday School. During tho year, although thore had been very httlo increase in either, eight new teachers had joined tho school. The Ladies' Association baii beeu doing good work for St Stephen's during tho year. The choir which v. us eighteen or twenty strong teveral years ago, lnd unfortunately fallen away greatly in numbers. It m3y be added c« passant that several now mem bers joined the choir duiing tho inter val, and promieed to attend tho practices rogularly for at leaet three month?. The mu.-ical programme, which was carried out under the management of Mr J. G.Culpan, was as follows :—lnstrumental duet, Miss Culpan and Mr Parsons; Orpheus Glee Mra Culpao, Mr Culpan, Miss Barton and Mr A. Taylor; solo, Mies Main; f o!o, "Tho King's Minstrel," Mr h. Tayler ; instrumental duet, Mieees Culpan and Main ; instrumental solo, Miss IVinkoltnann ; glee, '-Orpheus" ("Departure '), Mr and RirsCulpan.Missßjtton, and Mr d. Taylor ; instrumental duet, Mieses Culpan nnd Mr Thomas Whitelaw also addressed tho meeting. Toa and refresh ments were liberally supplied during an interval in tho concert. An intorceting arldrtPH was delivered by Kov. It. F. M/icnicul, and (ho soiree closed with a vote of Uianka to thoae whu had so kindly nesiated to make it a f ucce33.

ALLEGED KIDNAPPING

Mr Levy's Disappearance.

(UV TKLKintAI'H—WttiSS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day

A lAu.VKKAi'ti purporting to bo rxtrar'od from n Sydney paper Liv been going the round?, Heecriptivo of ;i den iv Sydney where kidnapped, pereorm aro conveyed aud imprisoned. Iho luthor inontiuiiß among oilier victims a man from " Now Zealand who was kept there at tho inFtatice of % business man, tho reason beinjj hu cll'orts to promote tempornnce.'1 Mr A. L. Levy, whoso mysterious di - nppeorance, and still more mysterious ox pianatiotijhava been much canvuesed, left in tiio ? 6. AVnkatipu for Sydney on Saturday, i ■ • bfain certain Rvidenco for tho proeecu tio. fii legal action he coutemplatef. Hb :, iii not step this paragraph, but hia relatives consider it corroborative of hia story and say ho was only let out of tho "den" because tho Instalments were not regularly paid. Mr Levy paid he had b;en kept iv a place of the sort fecriotd.

A grand ball will In* ii.ru in the (Jlarf. cleric Hall un Watch 23iJ, lo c lub™t« i! l 6 completion of tl tu new approach i> Norlh oote Wharf. I- if thought that this public work is of sufficient importance to the whole community, to warrant its celebration in the abuve manner.

DEPARTURE OF MR J. ROSS.

FareM'cll I'rcscntiitiouH

Mv John Koss, the popular resident partner and local manager of the firm ot isargocii and Co , wareKouaeiuen, waa a IwiSsDgsr to-day, along with bis wifo and famiiy, by tho »•<>• Wahurapa fur Dunedin, where ho procoods to undor take tho maiiagtuitiii uf the firm's business in that- city. Although Mr Koso'c .^jjur.i in Auckland liuo omy extended over o few years, its ba« proved quite saffloieut both for him und Mrs lions to endear thorcaelyea to a ver> vsiiio oi^cio ot friends, und their departure not only leaves a gap. not easily tilled, buo has produced a feeling of eic;-. p uiid jjenuino re gret. «oi!i lady and gentleman have been noted for warm hearted hospitality, unostentatious benovolence, und public spirit, while if Mr Kocd lias Btuetloualy kept aloof fioin political entanglements, he baa also consistently dlepUyud at trio meetings of the Chamber cf Commerce a real interest in and concern for tho wel fare and prosperity of Auckland, In him this Clamber Jofos a regular attendant at its meetings, and a inoinoar whose ehrowd common oenee and expononcoa judgment rendered bia advice at all times valu able. The Auckland lijtrling Club will miss in him an enthutiattic bowler, aud his frienda at large a pleasant compunion and a ho?t whoso bonhomie and sociability wore almost proverbial. The general sontiment with regard to Mr and Mia Ross's doparturo found expression yesterday in two eeparutct and independent presentations of a valedictory character. Unc of them was of a semi-public nature, and took placo at the Auckland Club ; the other was confined to the local employes of Sur"ood, E«ci), and Co., and took place at tho warchouso of llis (inn in Victoria street. . Both presentation" were made yesterday afternoon. That at the Auckland Club assumed the form of a silver solver, purchased through Mr James Howdcn, and engraved at the Stak Office with tho following inscription :— " Presented to John Rosf, Esq., by his frionds on the o-ccieion of his departure from Auckland for Duuedin. M,irch 10th, 1587." It was a cha^tofind tasteful specimen of the eilver emitn's art. At the time fixed for the ceremonial, which was hold in the Club, the Strangers' Room was lillod with representa tives of the leading mercantile homos in the city. . Mr 1). J. MnLeod acted as Chairman, and in tuakiii;: Hie presentation said :— "Mr Koee, 1 have been asked by your personal friends to present you with the gift whii;h 1 now hold in my bauds. In doirv- so, it i.i not uiy iutotilion to attempt to make a s-peecli, and I have not prepared any. I s-hall leave that to the gentlemen v. ho are to follow, but although I may not be ablo to give expression to what I fsol on the occasion of your departure from aißor^t v?, 1 foal nura that you know well, Mr Koso, that none will miss you more than myself. Uur friend.hip, which I shall ever cherish as one cf the bright spots in my Auckland life, cjuimcnced from the firet day we mot, and I can not help lamenting tho fact that I am about to lo^o a Iriend after my own heart, and one whom I shall miss greatly* 1 have only to add, In handing you thia silver salver, that wo all wish you every happiness and proeperity. In the quiet hours of home life in tho cold regions to which you are going, it will remind you of your Auckland hier.ds, its genial and Warm climate, and the many, many happy days and hours we ppont together. In making you a present of this kind, 1 think it only right to say that wo thought it might t6 more acceptable to you than a public ban; quet, because in yearsto come, when we who aro now so actively engaged in lifework have passed away, tbii piece of plate will remain a mtmonto to keep alive amongst your children and ours the friondehip which we formed, and stimulate them to follow in your footstops. Mr Hoes, again on behalf of your friends allow me to wieb you long life and happiness." Mr Koss, in replying, Baid that at a time such as the present it was difficult to give expression to one's feelings, no matter how keen. Nevertheless, although tho tongue may not give utterance, the heart was full to tho utmost, and he felt deoply tho kind wordß spoken by Mr Mc- Lcod. Ho accepted tho very handsome token of friendship presented by kind friends. Ho could assuro them tbnt it would ro-nind him of (ho many happy days spetit amongst those present in Auckland, «hoie memories should bo over freth, and it would descend as a precious heirloom to his children. If he had boon consulted, there wae nothing that he would havo preferred before this handsome gift- Amongi-t those present were many idenri' tied with the present and future of Auck land, men who felt it their bounden duty to uphold her commercial status and policy of" progress, i To thete friends I wish to cay that they need not fear for the futuro ; the greatness of thia place is assured. The pre-eminent position she holds geographically, combiued with the number and variety of her resources, must at an early period command an unex ampled place. Ono word of advice- do not bo dishearteno'.' and think tho present de pression is going to last. Tho clouds will soon clear away, aud the effect will result in much good. Depressions are beneficial in teaching lessons of economy to those whr, in the heyday of prosperity, are proDe to give rein to inordinato expenditure, Hard timos act as a prudent curb, and chasten our lives by inculcating lessons for the future.

Mr 0 raves Aickin then proposed tha health of Mre Uoh» in the following felici tous terms : — " Gentlemen, —There are in cidents in our lives that, cause a falter in the voice, a tugging of the heart-string?, a moistening of the eye ; a pressure of tho hand, the word 'farewell,' end the con nection is severed—perhaps for yeais, per haps for ever. And such is the prefent de parture of our iritnd and companion Mr John 11033. 1 now ask you to drink to big dearer self- Mra Koga. Those whose privi lege it has been to know Mra Rofs will agree with what I am about to say, namely, that Mrs Ross did not aspire to bo a leader ol fashion ; her pursuit of pleasure did not take htr to tho front in tl c ball-room, and assemblages of that diame ter. Her piido wus in her home. Sne rather desired to lead in everything that wus good and useful; wherever want and distress were known, thoro she would be found. If a struggling church required help, Mra liosa aud her good daughter were always in the foreground as prominent figures. Such women are the real gems of society, and the jewels of our existence. They smooth tho downy path of life, and make pleasant the ways of the careworn, the Eulfeier, and tho distressed. Amidst this saduees in losing our frisnd and companion let us drink to the good health and life long happiness of his partner in ' joy and sor row,' Mrs Ross."

Mr Roes, on behalf of Mra Kose, thanked them for the complimentary terms of the toast, and the warmth with which it was re ceived, which ho would have much pleasure in conveying to her. Mr J. P. Campbell bavitig proposed in a neat speech too health ef tho family, Mr Kosa proposed "Prosperity of Auckland." Tho toast was responded to by Mr William Aitken, in au oioqucnc sf.cocn after which the company separated. The presentation from the employ^ took the form of a ehiuld of portraits, that of Air Rosa himself occupying the central poaition. flanked by the pboiugrapba of Mossrß Fin layeon and Collier. Tho dtdgn wob exe cuted by Mi' C. I'almer, the photographing by Mr iiaona, aud the irainiug by Mr Senf fort, Mr ITinhiyeoD, in m»king(hepresenta tion, referred to the kindly relations which had always existed bouvecn Ml' Kosa and the stall', aud their deep re gret ut hia parting fjom them He had their beet withes tor his future prosperity, Mr Eosp, in reply, exhorted tho young men to habits of iudustiy, thrift, and telf-imj provtment, so aa to enable them to rise to positions o; honour and profit. He wished thorn all good bye and every success in after life.

A very large number of thejfriends of Mr and Mrs Rosi were or, the wharf today to wish them good-bye, a.ad aa the steamer moved down the etream three hearty cheers were given. »•■■"* vasa

CIVIL SERVICE RETREACH MENT.

(UY TELEGRAPH.— OWN t'OBKJ£SPONX>E»T.)

Wellington, this day. The (Jabinet have decided that, with a view to retrenchment, all olh'oia'.s who are pro moted in Government eervice will not in future receive the salary paid their prede cessor?, but will get o percentage off the amount paid ihs present occupants of the

Tlis Committee of tho Military Sports buye <. warded first place to W. H. Phillipa'a fneee in tho trotting match on Saturday but, on the grounds that the protest entertd by Mr ikudall was cut sustained.

■r¥TE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, THUIi.SDAY, MARCH 17, 1887



]^OTigj| OJ REMOVAL, W. B. MELDB.TJM, TAILOR, Central and Spaclona Premises adjoining W. SaOETLAND-STEEET, And begs to Mfllclt a continuance of past patron is so by all ol d and new natrons). BCIM JBOM £3 1S», All Work done In First slsss Stjlt, i *



W. J. H™ B* *€ ° B. J. E3AM and A. H. GRAINGBB Wrtnß pnrobaaßd from the PnbUo Trustee '(the Execu'or unaor the WUI of the late W. 3. Hurst) the Goodwill, Stock-ln-tarfe, Book Debts, etc., of the old-established business of W. J. Hurst and C 0.,. Grain, Seed, Produoe. and Artlflolal Manure Merchants, will trada under tho same style and name, und will continue the business as heretofore. AH Outstanding Accounts are requested to bo paid forthwith. W. J. BURST &ICO. ON SALE. j BEEDS- New Season's Clovers and Naturil Qrusei Bye Grass and Cooketoot (In variety) Turnip and Mangold Seeds MANURES— Bonedust (fine and Jinon) Superphosphates (various grades) Nitrate of Soda Sulpbate of Ammonia Potasb. Kolnot, etc, eto, Peruvian Guano GRAIN- Soed and Feed of all description! Flour, Oatmeal Bran, Sharps Tabia and Coarse Salt Table Potatoes SCO., fcO., ffiO. W. J. HVRBT ft CO., qUKKNBTBEKT. AUCKLAND. SPECIAL PRICES, TO MEET THE TIMES. MI LINE AND CHOYCE Bck lo Notify tbut they have made | AKti E T> BRMA NB N 1 REDUCTIONS XV In ihi Prices of their .AulES1 AIvD CHILDREN'S UNDER CLOT UING AND BABY LINEN. Thefo Giodß are Imported from the Larßestani Most ltellab'e Manufacturers In London, »nd aro guaranteed to bo Well uiadoand or Good Quality. As these Goods aro now Marked at so Small ProQt, I armor Quantities are being Importei in anticipation of a Greatly Increased Sale, INBPKOTION IS INVITJUD. M.ILNE AND ChOYCB, qUBKN ANU WffIiLESLEY BTRSBTS QPLENDID FLOU] (QUAP.ANTi'KD). IPOIbs, lOj Bi ; 501b9, 5s 6d; 251bs, 3i A QOOD BuX OF TKa (10.b3), 15s. A GOOD BOX OF CANDLE? (Kibe) for 9l BEST POTATOKS, 5s 61 por cwt. BEST WAIKOA CHEESE, M perlb: ' In m hilo Cheeses. 4id per lb. FABLE & MONTGOMERY, X »n »NG iHAPK ROAD. SPECIALLY CHEAP LINKS AT QOOraON'S IX)NDON ARCADE. S quires (120 eheetß) good Cream Ruled Vote Paper for 6i : Knvelopes to matoh, 6d per 100; K&u de Cologne, 2a bottle for la. or ta 6a bottle (or 3s 6d ; Toilet Vinenar. 3i 6d bottle for 2s, or Is smaller niza; Dinner Sets (18 pieces), hand domn patterns. 20i; Tea Sets (10 pieces), china, handsomely gilt. 12a fid the set; Breakfast Sets, ohina and gilt, 15s ; Dessert Sets. 15* : Chamber «ets, handsome patterns, 12s ed: Toilet Sets, 3s fid; elegant Cut-glasa Bcent Bottles, niokel silver tops. Is 6d; Sterling Bilver Jewellery, roarveilously cheap; Nickel Silver Clflck*,jrood time-keepers, £s each; Whitohaidle Table Knives, rivetted. 4s (d tha j-dozen: White handle Dessert Knives, rivetted, 3s 9d the J dozen ; Black-handle Knives and Forkß. strong and good, 3s the jdozen pairs ; Bread Knives. 9d each; Toys In endless variety arranged on stalls — 3d, 6d. and In each article and up wards. For Birthday, Wedding, or any Pre sents, no plaoe in Auokland like the London Arcade tor Variety and Cheapness. Price list on application. — Note Address: GOOUSONS LONDON AROADB, 210, Queen-strest (opposite Mo Arthur's Warehouse.) THIRTY THOUBAND YARDS or J^RESS J^TATBRIAL, To be sold AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES. H. ATKINS HAS MARKED DOWN THE PRICES SUMMER DRESS MATERIAL 20 10 30 per Cent. there Is a Splendid Stock still left to select from, and the Reduotlons will be found to be Genuine. *•"* Si 1 * ffiJs2Ss£ffi&,s!» —b« In Overstock of UMBRELLAS. SUNSHADES, Auckland. .Splendid Stock of K\IAPOI CLOTHING, In Boys', Youths', and Mon's; Splendid Value: Cheaper than Imported ClothiDg, MEN'S MRRCKRY, BHIHIB. BUAK«ra UMBRELLAS, tea, SAi QUODS TO BK BOLD AT PEICES TO MBBT THE TIMES. ;. H, A T~F IN B.



NEW ZEALAND ILLTJSTRATED TIT-BITS. Tho foaturos ol tho wook are :— THE COLIN CAMPiELL DIVORC-i CASK. WHlr rortraila of .Lady Campbell. 'Lord Campbell, and Dntto of Marlboroimh. EOMK SCENES FROM " THE MIKADO," By our Special Artiet Ho would like to see Fatriok'B tolme. Blabbett'a nose ! 1 he weather unsuitable At Watere's : An ex for Dickie, cited rising. An infallible proven- Lorenzo's phenomenal tivo for colds, behaviour after sit ting on an orange Hat-tractlvo. Punning hla business. Mr Simple id trouble. . Tommy preferred a big A Bear "Explanat'o .' rooting horoo. — Jt'jffv brougntdown to dato. He save hla own can did opinion. Morning hallucination. PRICK: TWOPENCE EACH. 2. 6d Per Quarter to any Part of tho Colony. iQBEXMO IB fiBUBVIKa mo iu_u__V_T"" -* XTOU MUST BJ_B ,r(OUK AND LOOK ~ <C At SHORT'S WINDOW -^ TW-OTB THE PKICES MARKED y ■VKVBR BKFORK HKAttD OJf Q JjTKVBB LIKKLir £5 md ocoCk again " ilk Dtuc33_,3 FOR 'run; f uioit (\V COlvION QOODS MO ¥N-P_.VTION INVITKO Jo x r Sw jpiOLOURKD SILKS, IB PER YAUD EVitRY CONOtfIVABL- SUAOiS _ s -HB TAUUKNaK AScUKTMKNT ««£JE AL_ OiNiU fIUC.-, 18 rUtt _AHU |jij; jv*y "17ELVJCTKKNS, FKOM Is D_| "£ V . rh = TDLUSUHS, is lid W« "MJUVV 18 THJJi TIMK j^g mjBUY —— HKaP BALL DKuaSuS. la per)d7 f£j jnO-UUREI> V__VEf_._NS. la ~ V l_y _ I»H E" "VjSKY POSSIBLE SHAUK, la „ hH _ 00 ■V7PKLVKTJI_NS. FKOM la -^|j -pLUsHICS. FROM 2a lid BksTtimb ~ u-i fe\ rpo BUY Q A SILK DKKSS FOR Jjj mHK PRIUK OF -~~" _H *~COTTON ONE Qj^^-^lpHo3rgHoßrS~ ?VR_,AT CLKAKINO HA__ T>YORDBR~OF mUB __._CUTO«3 SPLENDID VALUE IN DRAPERY AND CLOTHING. Strong Flannel. 7ld yard ■VVlria -wid'h Mo-Rlel Flannel. 13!<l yd Grand ass jrtmont of i'lann<-l i at lowest prise Floorcloth Bft wide. Is lid yd Coats's best iOOyds Cotton Reels. Is do* G'rls' and Women's Floa?, from 3Jd pair Men's Socks, from 3:! pair Very large assortment Bnt»on*, Id per dcs LiiKt Lace Curtains, li 3i pair Shnrt B !nd Net 2j 1 O ol Whivc Oa'i «•, 21d ; Cr.iwdfior.'s Ciltco. 33d Joo Lot Underclothing, ba f piico Nice Aeaortmort Now Black Joraeya Men's Strong CotWn Shirt!1, from 18 Strcng Un'on iitto. 2s 6d Weu'f good Pn <rt C>ats fa M (former prlco. 21s) Men's StrocK Coals, os CO ; BoyV '10. very choip Men's good Hard Black Felt Hats. 3s Gi Job Lot Mon sard Boys' Foil Ha'B, from la Men's Browa Co ton Sinßlets, la 6d Men's Pants, la 83 Nica Stock ot Tweeds, very much reduced Chnap Illnnlcntn Large Lot of Remnants in great variety, at Tory low prices. Wm. R. BRIUGMAN'S CHEAP CLEARING CASH SALE, A DAM T AYBOUBN & /~m, AUCKLAND. NH!W CLCVER \ Beat English Sbkus from Jam™ Carter &Co . NEW TURNIP) The Quesn's Seedsmen. RA'E BRASS. CO-K3FOOT, and NATURAL GRA OSES. All new Foods. Fencing Wire at Reduced Prices.