COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &a, To-night. Abbott's Opora Housc-Wado-Alloyno Company

io. " Tho Profligate." 8. IlcllEious Meotine in the 'IVnt on SurroyHllla Katato, Ponsonby ltoad, 7 3S. St. Jjmeß'a Hall-Entertainment, S, V.M C.A. Rooms—Kvanscltetio Servioe, 7.30. ProtraUnt Hall. Vowton—Star of Nawton Lzdis,o. J.0.G.T.. 7 31.

Rota or Justices at Polico Court. February 20-T. Wilkinson anl JI. F. Andor fun. Auction Salc3 To-morrow. Jj Tonka & Co.—Merrfinnaiso. Fruit, &v . 11; Onohunga Hac-iiK Prlvilegus, 12. ii VV. Biniios". llobaon-itrcot-Furnituro. &c. 12 Voilo &. Douslaa-Properties, 2. Arthur & Bu■ldlo-^Yeekly Produco Salo, 11. .A. Bnckland, Haymarket-Horses, &c. 11. Hunter & Nolan, Durham Yards-Horaes, &c 11. Samuel Coohrano _; Son.—Furniture, &c, at 11. I/. VV. Eaton—Produce, Fruit, &c, 10 30 Hrsketb. Aitken and Co.—Poultry, Pigs, Pro duce, Fruit, ole, 11. X J. Carbines—Fruit. Poultry. Produce, etc., 11.

Chief Post-Office, Auckland.

Mails will ci.obe as under :— Thio Dai. For Opotiki per Douglas, at 1 p.m. l'"or Kuratonga, per idaC. Owon, at 5 p.m. Fhiday. 25th lnst. For Tauranga and Opotiki, por Chelinsford, at For i;owßs and Coromandel, per Coromandel, at 11.30 a.m. For New PJymoutb, and Southern ports, per JlacareKor, at 1 p.m. For Whiiiangl, Uppor Mill. Gum Town, and Talrii'i. per lo.na. at n p.m. For Ttmtnea. per Rotomahana, at 3 p.m. For IV.uranga and Opotiki, per Clansman, at Bor Vfanf?nrei Honils. Parua, Walon, Whan- W.rei, Karnp, ana Mangapai, per Wellington, sit fl ti.ra. For Thaccea. per Hnteroriso. at 5 30 p.m. Saturday, 26th inst. tr.ir Waiwera, Te Kapa. and Warkworth. per Uose Casey, at 10 a m. For Gruymouth. por Herald, at 11 a m. For Kattkati. Anniratete, Tnuranfrn, etc, via 'I huincs, per Rotomahana, at 1.30 p.m. I 1 or Thames, per Rotoojahana. at 3 p.m. Monday. 2Sth In.st. Per Alat'icdi. as follows :— For Samoa, Sandwich Islands, Unitod States oil America, Canada. British Columbia, Con tml ana South America, and British and Fore ign Went Indies, at S p.m. For thPi United Kingdom and Continent of Kuropo, at 5 p.m. Monoy orders, registered letters, and news pnpora, at 3.30 p.m. Lata I3ttor3. boarlne an extra fee of 6dln addition to tho postage, will bo received hj thn Mail A|?ent on board tho atoamor np to tho time of nailing. This mall will be duo at London April 1.

N.B.—A Post Oflioo will be opened at Tanapa on Ist Al.irch.. Aliiis will closo at tbis on jMoq days, Wtdneodiys. and Fridays, at 7 am. Ro turn niatla will ba received on Tuesdays. Thursdays, anil Saturdays, at 7 a.m.

A PoatOffinn will bo opened at Waharoa on Int March Mails wilt close at 'his office daily » 7 a.m. Usturn mail 9 will b j received dally at 7 a.m.

(Signed) S. B. BISB, Chief Postmoater.

Chief Post-offlco. AD^kland,

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Bl'NSict.—TMa ovoutng, U. 13 MOON'S A be.—Fir^t <i artor. 3ra Muroh, 0.17 I).UJ.

HIGH WATER.

AuoiiLANn — Thia ovoning, 81; to-morrow niorring, 8.21.

Makukau KKADS-Thlß evoniiiß, 1011; to morrow morning, 11.1. Kt.iVMi\ Ukadp -This evenlnK, II.U ; to morrow morning, 0.1.

ARRIVALS.

TODAY. Inn*, r.b., Amodoo. from T urunsra Ufioliiisrord, b B . Windsor, from Upotlkl Lulli liookh, as, Jackson, from Whaugaroi

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENIKO. Glene'g. s.s., Norbury, for Whangarei TO-DAY. Manapouri, s.s.. Logan, for South lona. 5.3., Amodoo. for Barrier Arawata, s.s., Cronurty, for Unnodin LiocltKler, bir(]uo, JRiley. lor New York

STEAMERS TO ARRIVE.

Itotjinahnjui, from Thames, to-day, 7 30 p.m. > toromandol. from Coronjandel, to day, 5 p.m. lona, from Harrier,: o night Wellington, from Wlmngarei, today, 9 p.m. Katerprlse, from Thames, to morrow.,o 30 a.m. Clansman, from Russoll. to morrow, early ivatkoura, from Sou'.h, March 3

Riapehu, from Londor.. via South. March 6 Marlpoau, from San Franois.o, duo March 10

Inwards Coastwise —Four Sisters, from Omaha, wiiJi 35 tone flrowood; OUtc, from Tatrua, with 27.WU ft;ot timber.

Outwards r o vstwise.—Four Sisters, for Omaha, with 3 030 bricks.

The barque Lincluden loft for Now York at noon to-day, wiih a fresh southerly brceza.

The birqae Algoa 833-, Loptfe, entered out wards at tue Cusionn to-day, for Lyttelton.

The ship Hormionc hauled into tlie stream to ilay to wait for orders. It is possible that she iimy load at this port tor London.

The ss. Cuclmsford arrived from Oiiotiki rarly this morning, and was docked for repairs by Mr C. Bailey.

Tho s.s. Douglas went from Opotiki to Te Koba yesterday to load maize for Auckland, and should arrive here to-morrow moniiniJ.

The schooner Louiii arrived at Newcastle from Mongonui on the 10th inst., and tho brigantine Camillu arrived at Newcastle from Kaiparu on the 13th.

The 8 s. jjilU HoDkh arrlvoi from Macukan via Wbnncarei early this ixornirjg, and at 1 p.m. slio left poit to swing compasses. To monow she is ex pec led to leave a«<tin for Gls borne, where sho is to assist in discharging the barque AsUshaw, and afterwares oho will pro ceed to Napier to tender the Union Company's summers at the breakwater there.

The brigantinc Look-out, which left for Mer cury Bay yesterday at 8 a.m., in tow olthe s.s. Awhina, reached her destination at 6 30 p.m., and the Awhina returned hero early this morn ing. The only vessels at Mercury Bay besides the Lookout wer u the barque Brunette and a topsail schooner.

The s.». lona arrived from Mercury Bay and Tuuranga early this morning. Passengers :— Mcddames Humphreys, Bromfeild, Harvey, Bohtuvnn. Jlissr.s Armstrong. French. Bohanna, Kcv. Fathers Jtahoney and Pollard, Jlr X Hal hcu'l, blisses McLean and Thomson, Jlrs Nor man. The lona left again for Great Barrier at 8 a.m.

Inconsequence of the delay of tho Mariposa at San Francisco, the s.s. Avawata will be able 10 make a trip to Duncdin and return in good lime to take up the Fi'i portion of tho English mail The Union Company have accordingly decided that the Arawata should go South to be clocked for eleuninpr- The Arawata left for Dun edin at 10 a.m. to-day.

Tao bb. Manipouri left for Slo'bourno, via Sou'.oorn ports, at noon tc-day, with general cargo, including transhipment* ex Arawaia unci about COO truckages sugar, shipped by the New Zealand Kugar Company. Passengers for Gisoorno : Mie-H Hayes. For Napier: Miss WhiuinKhnm, Messrs Priestly. Fanwick, JCd ■warris Panfork. For Wellington: Mrs A. Brown. Misses Stewart. Barrett, JElkln, Brown, and Chamberlin (2). Captain Williams, Mrs William?, Mr and Mrs Southern, Messrs Hajei-. HooU'h. and Loitch. For Lyticton : Mrs Turijba.ll, Mr? Townsend, Messrs J. Wocd, Lamuut. White, Barry, Baitlcy, Tbompson, •Whltalaw. ani Hall. For Dunedin: Mi-s Cutuiog, Mesara Hescott. Collins, Cameron, Brown. Stewart, and Douglic. For flluir": Steers Taylor iinrt "Vinks. For Melbourne: Meaprjßoar, Campbell, MoDonald, and Ingle on.

THE KAIKOURA.

The New Zealand Shipping Company's Ktti kuuru urrived ut Hobart from Plymouth ycsn r il-y morning, and lelt again last evening for Williiißlon where phe ia due 10 arrive on the 3?th Inat, Alter landing mails and passengers there thoKaikoura will comoon to Auckland, anil from this port she »ill fc-o South again, taking h»r departure from the colony on April 7th.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARKIVALS. Galrloch. " 8.. MoArihur, Irosn Waitara and WowKymouth

DEPARTURES Oroll. »■"■■ tloberlEun. for Wanttonui and New Flyuioulh. Un.irlor.il. p.!'., HcA'.thar, for V/aitara and Now I'lj in juth

Thou b. Orsti left for Wangamn auiJ Now Vlviuonm ytßttvtfw. »td oclooK, wuh the fol lonioß ppsnentcra: - Mrs Cutaway and three oUUdron, Mm Pave- Mepsm TBylor, Wf ght, Final, TaDtiuiii. »nd 'li-ec sucr»f;i'.

Tim Northern Co.'* b.s GMrloch nrrived from •Wait'iraiKid Now Jb> ynioothyeefrday evento*. ■with 777 SSf.'P. 26* onus mmt, 1!) kcgi sill, 13 r.«Bfs liv, B2 »ai;ko boio?, i-nd Metuva D. M. l,ucklo. Wilkiaaoa. and Jodbs as jaeeengers. Bho left a^nin at loclock to-day, with cargo and passengers.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Kau-aka Heads, this day. " lie barque Vivid sailed for Melbourne on Tao-tl.-., inM.

London, Fibriarv 2i.-Ar-Wefl.ntPlymouth, aateveoing: Heroargootfi\z,n meat ib in Rood condition.

wemjsotos, Fob 23— Arrived : Stell». from Kaiparu; Hauroto, from . Pydney. Sal'od: Southern Cross, for tho North. PaSEengera: Mrs Beck. I'aptain Lowe, and 4 steerane. LvtTKi.TOK. Feb. 2-i —Sailed: Hoiorua. for Lbe North. Passengers: Mltsw Evans,Lovlnson.Dou <r y.Mesdamea Dick, Gardner.Kennedy, Martin, Down, Wood. Bey. Dswle, lir. Hoadlsy. Key. JMulritrlll, Me'sra Martin. Buchanan. Moors. Kirk, Dlcm, Murray, Cook", Baxter, Glanviile, Fife, Lovinson. Williams. Campbell, Weston.

COMMERCIAL.

RvEimio B-rir. Office, this day. Toe Acc&laad Grocers' Association quotes the ■wholesale price of fresh butter,. lOd per lb, and fresh eggs. Is per clozsn (delivered), for the week ending March 3.

Births.

HERON. — On February 21, at 801 l Road, Itomuom, the wife of G. A. Heron of a son.

Marriages.

McCOMBIE-SMITH.-On February 2, at tho residence of tba bride's parents by tho Rev. C. H. Garland. John, only eon oC tho late Alexander J. McComble, of Aberdeen, Scot land, to Theresa Jane, only rinußhter of Parana] Charles Bmitb, Franklin Koail. Poneonby, Auckland.

Deaths.

CUNNINGHAM. — On February 2.1, at hur dnuuh'or'ii residence, Nelaon-etrrot, Mary. relict of tho lato George Cunninfcbam : iired 82 years. — Sydney and Melbourne papers P tli™ fungal will leave Nelson-Mreet for the Kpnoin Cemetery to morrow (Friday). ut2ii.ni. WHISKER.-On February 10 at the residence of hi« parents. Mary-str.)et, Mount Kdcn. Neil Hamilton, third bo'oved Bon of Alexander and Sneannah Whisker ; aged 10 months and 22 naya.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1887.

Jfor the wrong that needs rcsistanc! For ttin futuro in the dir.tap.rr, And the food that we can do.

Sir John Lubbock's " Earlier Closing Bill " is gaining the support of the vast body of shopkeepers and shop assistants throughout the United Kingdom. As_ soci.itions have been formed in the chief centres of population to promote the passing of the bill, and at ;i. mon ster meeting recently held in Liverpool Sir John Lubbock declared that, "as far as they had been able to ascertain, there was very little division of opinion upon the question. Theie was a great majority one way and only a small minority the other. To the credit of the shopkeepers throughout the coun try, they were almost as anxious as the shop assistants themselves to sec some measure like this carried into law. The promoters of the bill had thought that as there was a necessity for medicines at all hours it would be unwise to re strict the shop hours of chemists, but as soon as that became known they were fairly overwhelmed by remon strances from chemists asking why they were to be excluded from the benefits of the bill." At the meeting before which this statement was made several shopkeepers testified personally to their own sympathy with the move ment, although admitting that they were themselves the slaves of the late hour system. Mr Anderson, a Glasgow shopkeeper, in moving a resolution in favour of the bill, said that in his own business in Glasgow he was compelled, much against his will, to keep open eighty hours per week in self defence, that others in his neighbourhood might not filch his customers from him : " In Glasgow they had actually no opponents to the Shop Hours Bill."

) Already the Bill lias received the support of a Committee of the House of Commons,aud there seems, therefore every probability that Sir John Lub bock's name which is now associated with the Bank Holiday—au enormous boon to clerks and other educated workers— will yet be endeared to the toiling masses in connection with a measure of much greater wope. The compulsory closing of shops by law appears at first sight an extreme interference with private liberty of action, but it is no more Radical in principle than the Factories Act. When that measure passed, the right of an employer to exact an injurious amount of labour from a servant, and the right of a person to sell such labour, were repudiated by Parliament. The application of the restriction to shops is a mere extension of an ac cepted principle. All who have worked in connection with early closing move ments agree that voluntary efforts cannot secure a reasonable curtailment of the hours of labour. This is the experience in Auckland ; it has beon the experience in Victoria, where moderate early closing is enforced by law; and it is the universal experience in England. The question then is— ■when and to what extent the Legisla

turo is entitled to intcrposo without! incurring the cliaigo of tyrannical j interference with individual liberty and ! personal right—for there are bounds ' even to tho right of a majority to j coerce the individual. The Legislature { is, we think, clearly justilicd in adopt ing measures to ensure tho weak from an oppression which is ruinous to mental, physical, and spiritual j he Ith. The justice of a law compel ling shop-closing for mere purposes of holiday-making may be challenged, but no one could dispute the right of a legislature to interpose for the pre vention of a system which condemns a largo portion of the population to ;t | slavery that is worse physically and mentally than any slavery that was ever I known in tlio States, of America, j The Committee of the House of Commons which reported in favour of j Sir John Lubboek's bill, examined a i large number of witnesses. The follow ing passages from tho report are so cogent that we reproduce them :

Your committee are agreed that the practice of keeping open slums until « late hour of tho evening prevails extensively ; that while shops used by tln> wealthier classes generally close at a comparatively early hour, in neighbourhoods where tho shops aro frequented by the working classes they aro kept open until vory late especially on'Suturday. It follows in Mich cases all the persons employed, including young persons, must bo kept on their fuel for a great many hours, and thai where shops are crowded and ill-vent Hated such prolonged labour must have been exhaus ting and often injurious to health, especially in the case of girls. Your committee have had evidence that in wholesale warehouses the packing and entering clerks are often detained till very late nt night, especially at the busy seasons. The apartments in which tho work is carried on, in tho depart- | lnonts mentioned, nro often under ground, and even in the daytime lighted by gas. In those departments, too, apprentices and other young men arc commonly employed, and work of this de scription, if so prolonged, your coinmittco can readily bcliove to bo cxliaustiiiK and in jurious. -Again, your committee lind that in shops to which workrooms aro attached young person", who could not be employed in tho latter beyond the slalutory hours of the factory and Workshop Act, arc called upon to serve after thoir tasks in tho workrooms h.tvo been finished. Your committee have introduced into the bill a provision designed Lo put an end to this practice. It appears to bo very common for the employed, and, perhaps, especially tho apprentices and young poisons, to be dot'iincd for some time after tho .shops have been closed to custo mers, to clear up, put away the goods, and to pack up articles purchased ; and in many cases these young persons havo to conic earlier in the morning than tho others to prepare the shops tor tho days work. Tho great majority of witnesses expressed their opinion that, though voluntary ai-tion had effected much improvement, lit I lo could be expected from it in Urn poorer neighbour hoods, and that nothing short nf legislation would bo effective. In conclu.-ion, your committee, being s-ilNicd that the hour* of slu>;a-si.-l;mts rangr ill miiny places as high as from eighty-lour to ciglity-livo hums per week, being convinced I hat such long hours must be generally injurinus and olien ruinous tohuultli.uiul thai I he munc amount of business might bo compressed iuln :t shorter spaco, recommend this Bill to the. favourablo consideration of tho House.

Eighty-four hours :i wcuk, i.e., fonr tocn hours ii day, is no uncommon time for shops in Auckhuul city ami suburbs to lie kept open for business. The proprietors in most, instances rebel against the practice, the assistants sicken and die, but like the Glasgow shopkeeper quoted above, they are utterly unable to contend against a trade custom. Who will deny the right then of tho Legislature lo step in on the side of a majority of thuse who are thus enslaved, for the purpose of aiding them to strike off their chains .'

Harbour Accommodation: Auck land v. Wellington.

Fob somo timo puat tho matter of fhaii ac commodation has been considered by tho Auckland Harbour Board, and froqunnt

complaints havo been niado regarding tho great luck of Auckland wliarvo-i in this respect. Not unfrciiuontiy has it boon men tioncd that other harbours in tho colony are far abond of Auckland in facilities for quick dischargo, and Woliimrton is not backward in vaunting thu superior advantages of tho Empire City to all other port.". A local journal boasts that Wellington possesses tho most coinplote wharfago accommodation in tho colony. Since ISSI tho berthago accommo dation thoro haa been increased from SJ,(iGS foot to ,V>S~> lineal feet ; tho total areu from 05,400 to 177,000 square fcot; shod accommodation from a lloor, area of -o.b'u's square feet, and capacity of LioO.UOO cubic feet, to a floor area of 47,'i00 f-quaro ttot, and a capacity ot b'50,6'70 cubic feot. From etatiatics furnished by Mr McGregor, tho Engineer to tho ilurbour Board, wo are enabled to compare these figures with those for our own port. It would appear tha'' tho presout wharfage accommodation of Auckland is 0,700 lineal foot, which compares very favourably with Wellington"? :>,. r>S5 feet. But in addition U> this, wharf extun .siona amounting to 3,050 lineal feot have been authorised, and plnnsi and ppeoilicu tions for tho construction n£ those exten sions are now complotod. It will bo seen that our proposed addition* alone will bo :SUsft i" excess of tho total amount of Wellington's boasted wharfage accom modation, and that our proeetit bcrthagu is 6,115 linoal feat, moro than that of t.ho capital city. When tho propped wharf extensions are completed, our liuo harbour will possess 13,650 linoal feot of borthoyu, being 10,065 feet more than Wellington's. Wo regret, however, tbc.t when tho comparison of shed accommodation is made,' Auckland appears in a much less favourable light. At present wo havo only 107,0.0(1 cubic fuet of shod accommodation aa " against Wellington's 650.570 cubic feet. This thgrant deficiency justifies all that has been said of tho inadequacy of tho accommodation of the port in that respect. Action has, how ever, been taken by tho Harbour Board, and under present plans u'GO.OOO cubic feot of shed accommodation will shortly bo erected, which, whon completed, will give a total capacity of 7(57,001) cubic feot, just llb'.iyo cubic foot, moro than that ot ihe Empire City. Tho boost of Wellington therefore appeals miller an empty ono 111 at present, and puriectly absurd luulting to tho immediate fumro.

Stanley's New Expedition.

In our issue of February 17th wo drew our

cadera' attention to tho i>nd state of allairr

in tho new-born Congo V'rco Stale, which seemed, in peril of annihilation at tho

hands of tho hostile Arab slave-trader?. Who was to save tho Company State, and

nhat uere its chnrn'on of surviving tho un equal Htruggle,were questions wo were not in a position at that time to ansn-or. We did, however, hint that. England waa tho only Power likely to interfere and wo also

j;avo it us our opinion that, the gallant originator and first Governor of tho Slato, H. M. Stanley, would lind conic means of protecting it, even if tho King of the Belgiarm, who has hitherto supplied the whcrowithol with which opera tions havo teen carried on upon tlm Gonfjo, could do so no more. By a Uto telo^rnm, wo find that Stanley has found mch means, and that England, although not officially, has assisted. Just, when a good excuse for

" raising the wind " was wonted, Fortune aided once again with her favourite Stanley, and tho iden of rescuing a German doctor in Egypt, by taking 15,000 men up the Congo, came to hil* assistance. A glanco at the map will suffice to show that this route is something like going to the Hsyinarket from this office by way of Parnell, Kybsr L Jass Uoad, and so down Queen-street. Wo road in tbe tele gram vi'h Albany f.hnl, flic expedition will lip (he !hi ;ett non-inilituiy "no that b,\ fever entered Alric..', and will comprise n

staff of six, the lending members of which fire if the Royal Engineer?, and are sent by the English War Office. Belgium aleo, we fiad, offers every facility for tho progress of the esriedition up the Congo, the Com pany's " steamboats and stations bemg

plnced nt tho disposal of ita leaders. That tho expedition, undor the difguise of going to assist l)r Eiuin,who,Furrounded by foes, ill calmly naturalises at Wadolai, ii rrnlly v means taken by tho indotatigablo Stimloy to i'o establish thosupn nucy of tho SJ.ato Gouipany upon tliu Cjuito, tho.ucui bo small doubt. England* reason for assisting may bo found in that both ward territorial acquisitions on the bank* of iho grand livur, which bills fair to open im Control .Africa to ]<Jaropuaii numiuoriw, and thnt it, would bu well lv loud assUla»eo to I his Srnto Company that

at-. pro-nut, holds Iho right of j.iuwinK ovur its waterway*. This power migl-.t easily 1,11 intit the handset Germany or Franco should Iho now citato collapse, it bsing known (hut Viuaco at..J Germany both havo mndo con.>iider;tb.ro territorial acciuisitions of l:tte in tho district.

The German Election's.

I'jiiXct! BIMi.vKCK i-, assured uf victory in

the electoral campaign now proceeding in

Gat many. But thoro rive some victories

that am worse than d-.featf", and this ono

may yot provo (o be in that category. At all

events, there aro soveral unpleasant truths which these election? will drive hcuao to tho f.;rent Chancellor with tiling force Alihuugli tho Ciiv.rnmsrit hurl on Tuesday

ft clear tnujoiity of (ill, their victory lias been gained (by the hell) of. the Catholic voto) ovor thu regular Opposition puny, ami not by uuy raeann ov. r tho Socittlims, who mo reported to havo gained ground overyv.lu.-ro. Bochli.sm in Germany takes, to :i largo oxtout, tho form of a protest againat autocracy and tho crushing eystom ot universal military porvics in voguo there ; and tiio return of (ivo Socialist members for Borlin and Hamburg alone proves tlio enormous hold which Socialistic ideas have obtoinoJ ever the artisan clustoH Lonson No.l whichUismurckandhi*lmperial master may draw from tlio situation is therefore this—that tho growth of Socialism is likely t) bu eo-eqiul to and contemporaneous with tho increase of armaments arid military ex pondituro. Tlio impotus givon to Socialism by tlio present proposed war voto in fair warning that Gorman peoplo aro very nearly strained to tho utmost point of onduranc'o by imposts foreign to thoir goniin and in clinal.ioru1.

It is also highly fig.iiQcant to note that "in Alsace tho Government havo boon dof oiled in every oloction.'' The French

when tho p-on'c h.iveuivon such undoubted proof of thoir'nntiigoni.m ( () (iermniiy, and this mci lent, happening ;,t a timo of "strained relation.--," will intensify tlio dotiro of tho French Government to havo tho lost provinces restored to tliair nvay Tho dfcfvut of tho German (Jovornmont it. all tho moro remarkable r.horu when it, in rcnicmborcrJ that of tho million and ahalf people who compose tho population of Alsuce and Lorraine, all but '210,000 aro of German nationality, tho Brunch being chiefly resident in Larrainu It is, nf course, nothing new for Bismarrl; tn b«rnli) th.it tho (JurmnDO of Alsano and Lorraine aro very nhnky in their allegiance to Fatherland; but i! « i ! be particularly galling to him to b,. remindoH uf it nt tlio present juncturo in ;.ur!. a il-.lureirabla fashion.

Tiio third loewm which i>< enforond by (ho oloctii.il" is tho ipiiu mbility of t.hu t'ltlmlic voic. No Jouljt Iho IVipo'ti m:\nilaig has been piutty KunurttUy oboyed in tho u'wntry diftriutM of Curuiany, and hurt buon i;liioily inttrumont.il in Fcciirini; tho victury fur Iho Uovoi'rimnnt; but in the chief, and in Alsuco, t'lo wiehcH of IHh Holinusa have been altogether di/UORardod by tho Catho lic voter*. In Almco and Lorraine there aro over a million Koman Cnholics against about a ((uart.or of a million Protestants,yot lliosoprovincoshavegonoagaioetthoGovorn tuont—ignoring alike tho Popo's command

and tho Imploring appeal of Princo jlahen loho to support thoGovornmont oaudidateP. Tho Prinoo, who id (iovi.rnor of Alsace and Lorruitio, warned the people that tho ro joction of tho Governtnrnt candidates won'd probably moan the outbreak of war ; tho people by their votes, therefore, virtually dcfliiro tlml t'loy nra re^idy to facothat con tingency. The (':itho!:i: vatora of (iormniiy hnvo plninly .-hown that thuyoitly ot-eythoir (•(.iritu .1 head «h;n they are i.»t itillueneed by naiional fiV"'ij«thiCH or political idens. While liumarck will bo L'ratilied at carry in<: his pvint, he oinnoi by any means ho satisfied willi tlicce ovidoncos of instability. Ho in certain to t;ot his war vote ; but v. hat next »

To ilny'-I cablo dcfpitchoa state thut stiious oarthijunkesl, entailing much do struction of property, havo occurred in the South of l''r.;nc..\ Tho German Emperor is woll plonsod wirh tho result of tho elections, and "ill convvno tho Jteichslug nt onco. ThorahavoboenHociiiliptriotsntAmNtordnm, »nd it is Btatcil that iho U>ndon HocialistH intend t» huvo a grand parade in tho public parkrtof tho English metropolis on Hui.day oext. Tho Canadian I'arlwnientnry olflc tions imvo resulted in tho return of a colid majority of Government supportors, and a gratifying rofulc is that in tho province of Nova Scotia nil tho LniuliiJatGd elected aro opposed to tho socesaion of tlvit plosion in a powdur factory at Sandhurst, Victoria, aix oparativou havo lost tlii ir lives and two otlioro havo been seriously injured. Another messago ieior.j ta nn important ricvulnpniont of tho Bulgarian question. Uadban liflendi, tho Bpecial Turkish Knvoy to Bulgaria has reported to tho Porto that tho only way ot fi'ti^factorily solving tho dilHculty 19 for llupsia to occupy Bulgaria, «hilo Turkey takes absolute possession of Koicoli.i. This would appear to he tho understanding arrived at between IS twin and Turkey, and tho ropirl: of Uadban in doubtlo-s meant, an a "leelcr" to lind out what tho groat I'owora think on thu subject.

Fubiciipi.ior.H oro oomiuu in towards Cio i>hil!ii;g f.i.:d for thu purchase nl a pioiu lorto tur tho outortaintnenu ut. l!iu Lunatic Aeyliun, hut n troquickly ii? thuuxrollhiii-fi of Lhoobject warranted hh in expecting. A

gentleman in forwarding ,s.--, bein;; con iributioiiN from each moiulier nf hii fimiily, w.iteo;—"A dear rolativo bad tho misfortune In p-qnire temporary treatment in tho Asylum fur tho irinirin und the knuwledgo Uii.h gnim;d oi thociii ditiun of oll'iirs in thai, ius.itutiou lvii- '■.on. vincod tno of tlio necessity of something being done by thi> public on behalf of iho in ma ton. Tho movement to start rcgulnr cntortainmonts ha* my warmest sympathy." Sheets aro open at tho Staii Giiice, Short land-street, anil brancho?.

Mr D. JU. Luckio, Government Insurance Coininisfiunor, haa arrived in Auckland to luita part in laying tho foundation stone of the now oilicea. Mr Lucius, who resided in AucUlund for many year*', is astonished at tho signs of progress even tinco ho was. hero two yoara ago. Like most old Auclc landers, ho finds ths.t his affection for tho placo has lost none of its strength through Ion;.; absence.

Tho Union Bteamship Company hnvo docided to Bond tho Aruwata to Uunedin fur cleaning, otc, before tho arrival of tho Mariposn, and consequently she cannot act ■in flaßship afc the Kikkll Kogal.l.i nn Wodnosdov next. Tho Wnirarnpn, which loaves for Sydney on Tuosdny ovoniug, will, howevor, talto her plane nt t'h>i rcgatia :uid will leave Kutsell for Sydney mibeiquontly.

Tho banana shippers in Fiji havo ovor dono the Sydney market, and arc now op purontly turning tho surplus upon Auckland. Tho quantity which arrived by tho Arawata is for in exco.'S of tho reiiuiremunts of tho market, and a largo proportion of tho fruit his arrivod in bad condition. Tho result should bo cheup bananns for tho multitude, but can scarcely bo a payable return to tho shippers.

The Uev. H. ,1. Lewis, who has for many yeur.-i had pastoral charge of tho Congro gationnl Church in Nelson, has accepted a call »,o Iho ConcregationalChurch, Mewton, Auckland. Mr Lewis is a man of consider ablo ability, which finds expression both in tho pulpit and tho press

Anolhor addition to f.bo largo and rapidly increasing licet of locally-owned pleasure yachts was launched to day from Mr .1. Clare's yard in Customs-street West. Tho the Crcmonn, and has been "built for Messrs Webb and Mouzer. She is a handy little craft, and has been designed morn with a view to comfort than speed. Her trial trip took place today, when sho glided along very smoothly and smartly under a fine spread of canvas.

Mr Brothers requests us to state that; all who are desirous of signing the application t.o have tha block of land at Piako opened up for special homestead settlement may do ~o efc the " Herald " om'ca, Queen street.

Aiitliicr largo batch of summonseß ara being pre|inred in the City Crmnci! o/ficp?.

A meeting of rverJilnra i,i the bankrypl, estoto ol ,'auius F. MclnLyre, lalu licontH'?, of tbe Waitematu Hotel, wua hold nfc 2.30 o'clock yesterdeiy afternoon in the Official Assignee's cflice. As Mr Lawson v.'as not in attendance to e?amina tha debtor on oath, the mewtrag vraa adjourned until t^-morroTf at the came hour.

Tho Govornmont, Incuranco Department aro resolved to take full advantago on be half of its policy-holders, of tho high rate of interest which rules in tho open market upjn unimpeachublo security. By advor li.-Lii:.:nt iii'iinM.hcr column they announce lh it money will be lent, on mortgage of free hold property, repayable, principal and in terest, by half-yearly instalments. The

" JSlow Zealand Timofe " says : "Tho money lent undor this scheme is wholly liquidated Ijy thote payments within a given poiiod of tivolvu, fifteen or twenty years, aceordiug us the borrowors may decide at tho outset. Tho mortgagor by (.his means has tho satisfaction that ho is

:-:!u.-idily redeeming his debt, and as the sum lent ranges from £100 to £13,000, pro perty owuors of all clauses can take advan tage of tho opportunity now profferod. Tho paymonts appear to bo calculated on a vory moderate rato of intorost, and it id believed that this new system will bo found to be a boon to borrowers. A con dition is ofi'ered which is very favourablo to tho mortgagor, who can under it, any time after four years from tho granting of tho loan, pay off tho bilaneo then remuin ing, and thus redeem his property, should his circumstances admit of lub doing co. This method of redemption is, wo under stand, based on fair and moderate terms which cannot fail to bo acceptable, and it U anticipated that this now scheme will be huiled '.vith satisfaction throughout tho colony."

The popular faith in tho purify of the city water supply is likely to receive an other ."ov-io f-hock fiom an inspection of it sunplo ot water loft atour olliocby Mr John (Jibaon, of Sussex-etroet, Surrey Hills, 'that fjtntlemin states that ho drew some water tram a tap at his houeo this morning, but linding it swarming with insect life ho kept tho tap running for abaut two hour?, during the wholo of which time tho water, tested at intervals, was found to bo similarly polluted. Tho eamplo which ho has lofc wue, ho states, drawn ot tho clo?o of his two hours' attempt to oxhaust tho polluted How, and it in literally alivo with v;ater lloi-i, palpably visiblo to tho naked eje, while Ilicso big lloas havo probably "losEcr Ileas upon thoir backs to bito 'em." Mr Uib?.on says, with fomo reason, that tho u.=o of such water might woll account for tho prevalence of typhoid foyer in town. Insanitary conditions oxtornally aro net nearly co prolilio a source of ty phoid as tho using of impure water, and tho medical mon who condemn

"bad sanitary arrangements " will ba pro pared to endorse this view. It is impera tive that something should bo dooo to freo tho city wator supply, othorwi?o so ox cellont in quality, "from this plague of lions

"Tho Ko-iow," a loaditiE English journal devoted in insurance topics, publishes an article critici-in^ thn comments made l>v tho "Now Zoiland Herald " upon Mr "« nil's speech at tho annual meeting of tho lusur ;,,,« Companies' Association. In the coureo of its remarks it saya : "Tho Insurance Companies' Association of Now Zealand has recently held its annual mooting, and tho Chairman, Mr Tail, of tho National Insur unco Company, seams to hnvo <>pokon pi city clearly ami plainly on tho advantages of combination and tho disadvantage* of competition. Mr Tait probably paid that it was hotter to rln no business nt all than to do it at a rate which was not remunerative : that excessive competition induced over ineuranco, follow"! almost invariably by nbnormnl lo?s llu cnndom.ied in strong language those nlliccs which by their weak ness and vacillation in tho matter of ratos, mid in tho cmittnnf of their bueiuoi-B ■ 'Oiit'ially, woro in a peat moaeuro ro?pon i-iblo for tho enormous destruction of pro perty which takosplacoannually throughout, Now Zealand. That Iho firo lorn had besn e\c<-ptionnl durini! tho past twelve moiil'n nou'nubt had cnimod considerable anx'Hty to tho mombern of tho Association, ami it was ii matter of congratulation that through out tiio North 1-liind tariffs wero now in operation. Mr Tait summed up tho poei tioti of alliirs vorv pointedly by saying that young ollicos should bo vory wary aa to how they rushed into tho biisinocs on a low rato basis, for oxcottivo competition would brinf* about low ratos low rate? would induco ovorineuranco, ovor-insurnnco would pro duco froqiiont and dostructivo tires, and fmiuont and destructive tiros would absorb profits, and mako tho payments <if dividends like anpeU' visits, fow and far botwoon. Wo hardly think that tho ' Now Zealand Herald ' has dono justice to MrTait's argu ments', which wo commend respectfully to tho attention of our contemporary. We would also urßo it soriously to consider tho difl'oronco botwoon trading on a. syetom which allows tho purchaser to put a parcol under his arm and walk homo, and ono whoro tho purchaser has to tru*t tho sollor for a year"

Tbo roilif:ary sports, as announce"! in nnothor column, will take placo on tho One hunga racecourse on March 12th.

Tho monthly inspection of tho Auckland Engineers took plnco la«t evoning, when there was a muster of ."I, under Mnjor Anderson and l.ieutp. Elmcs and Bovcridgo. Tho latter olliccr handled tho corps very creditably.

It was Corporal It. L. Somors (not F. tuners, as publichod) who won e'.ectcd l.icutoniint of tho Victorian lliflcs.

A few errors occurred in our report of the handicaps declared in connec tion with tho Amateur Athlotic Club ("porte. In tho ono mile novico race, E. A. tilcdhill get,-' 10 yards, and in tho opon milo race Hunter ceta (i() yards. In soveral places tho initials of tho brothers K. A. Glodhill and A. A. (Jledhill wero •' mixed" lilto tho unfnrtunato twins of tho song, but no great harm ie expected to ro- BUlt.

To tho Editoi: Sir,-Will you kindly givo mo ppaco for a few words on this (the Mount Albert loan—i' 0,000) vexed guts t.ion. Is it possible that the Mount Albert Uo.ird will commit thomselvos to such an inuino art. as to take a poll of ratepayers to -t i Ue another special ruto in the faco of two ,|i t :hd rate* no. in exntonoe ? Sir, lee us iivj<uino that tho rr.tes this year will bo i'li'l) -it will require £'.iOO yearly to pay ilil«rCKt..ctc , on Ui.OOO ; that, will bo SO par

.■cm. iimro nl ruti.» than m present, Tho r.iii-H t/iif your nru cou»idorubly moro than I hoy were last, your. Tho Properly Tnx ('uinmin'.'iiinoi' ban roiled the ratuublo vhliio <if properly abovo tho suiting price. 'I'lio property Ijis and llm road rutoß are more thau las-l your. 1 a k wbo can afford to pay this cxcoaiivo rale ?—lam, fir, yours, etc., I'.ATEI'AYKB,.

Spontaneous combustion ia paid to bo an impossibility, but n phenomenon that at ono timo would have been ascribed to thai CtnK'i ha* lately "00n observed in tho suburbs of Pnri*. In 1871 a liro occurred in n villa. Tho reparation was carried out. under tho direction of an architect, and tho h mso has siDco been occupied by tho Famo owner. Ono day ho observed that tho coil ing of the dining room appeared ac if some of tho plaator was about to give away, and, as tho bulging increa?od," ho called in (in architect. He concluded that a binm must Romehow have given way, nnd workinon voro nroplnyed to mikn n mnrti close examination. It was then discovered (hat tho wood va» nlmoet entirely cfin sumed. Some sparks may have reruainod, nnd during lfi years tho destruction must have gono on by inches, for no other hypo thesis was brought forward thau ono of very slow combustion. The circumstance is so very romarknblo w> to appear almost incredible, although lirnmon can relnte stories of a eimilar kind.

Mr.l. H. Palton, tho well-known "extra P'lir of trousers " tailor, haa hud to enlarge his promi'os in Victoria r-treot East, and ip having his wholo ostablishmont rc-arrangod and fitted up afrosh. Mr Dalton has built up ouo of tho most extensive tailoring huMn(a»es in Auckland, employing from :]0 to 40 hands (exclusive of his Napier branch), dnd in a rocont convorsatirm v.-itho- c of our pUfV ho ascribed his extraordinary t-ucce.'B tv liia always having civen strict attention to the wants of individual customers, mode rate choree", »ndi\ liberal upe oft.ho ]stau advertising columns.

Fruitgrowing ia becoming a widespread industry in tho Auckland province. New mon are coming to tho front as distinguished growers, and Mr A Oochrane, of Waiko miti, is not the. least among tho list of fruit producers. Hia orchard of apples, pears, quality mil quantity. Ho haa a superior choice of stock, togother with tho proper soil.

The fl i>. Cholmsford will leave Queen street, Wherf for Tauranga, Opotiki, etc., at 10 o'clock to-morrow morning. Shippers aro requested to have cargo down early.

SERIOUS MINE ACCIDENT.

(l;V CBI.tRKAPU. —OWN COI'.UtSPUNUhXT.)

Thames, Ibis day. A !!::rT. named Thomas Ash, employed in Turtle's eection of the Kurnnui mir.e, had hia left leg broken to-day. through a m^so cf mullock suddenly fflllia.s: upon him. Ho ia progressing favourably nt the Hospital.

CABLEGRAMS.

Socialistic Riots at Amsterdam.

M.my Persons WonndeU.

Amsterdam, February 23. Seiuous riots havo occurred to-day in this city betwoon largo bodies of Loyalists and Socialists. Many on both sides wore

sovoroly wounded,

EARTHQUAKE IN FRANCE.

Many Houses Destroyed.

I'akis, February 23, Several sovoro shocks of oarthqnaUo wero experienced this morning about six o'clock. At Cannes, Nico, and Mentono many houses collapsed, but so far as is known no loss of lift: h:is occurred.

RUSSIA AND BULGARIA.

Proposed Agreement with Turlicy.

[keuter's teleora.m.]

CoshtantisJOPLE, February '2?,. Gauiian Eh-eniji, tho Turkish epoeiul en voy at Bulgaria, has advised tho Porto that

tho dillicultios in that country can alono bo solved by a Russian occupation of

Bulgaria, and a Turkish occupation of

lloumolia.

English Home and Foreign Policy.

Irlsli ami Continental Aif.iirs,

(SI'WJIAI, MKSSAOK.)

Loxroy, February 'M. Tjik Homo and foreign policy of tho Eng lish Govornmont has formed tho sub ject of speoche3 delivered by tho lion. Messrs Gosehon and Matthews. Mr Go?chon, speaking at a banquet at St. Gourgo'eClub, said tho Government had do te rmtned to maintain England's honour abroad, and would enforce order at home.

Mr Mat.thowH, nddrescinc hi.i constitn onts at Birmingham, paid tho (Jovern mont desired to maintain poaco, and relcrririf,' to ln.-l Cliurcln'.l's seces sion from the Ministry, ho oxprc«ft;d a hope that Lo..i U mdolph would rejein tho (ijvoriuiient ulivr the dolivury of the Budget spoeeh.

THE LONDON SOCIALISTS.

Projected Demonstration,

(sfLCtAI, Ml-SSACK )

London, February '2-. It i« reported that tho Socialists contem plate holding a croat parade i-> Iho public, parks on Sunday next.

The Disastrous Collision at Sea.

How ,'ji-uic Were Savuil

(.11.'I \l, ('Afll.KltlLtM )

Ldnii'in, t'ebruary '!'-. Fi:iitiii;i: particulera of tho collirion butvioun tho Kapundu mid tho Ada Melmore ahow that tho former was struck in tho fore rigging. AVhon the vossols mot, tho carpenter, ono seaman, and sovon of tho immigrants on board tho Kapunda j urn pod on to tho Ada Molraoro. Six othors woro saved by moanfl of a boat, which was found afloat after tho fourxiorin£ of the Kapunda. The Ad.; Melmoro rescued Cottcrill, tho mato, who l"\d been clinging to wroekajjo for two hours. Tho Ulysses roliovod tho Ada Mel more of fourteen of tho survivors livo days later.

THE CANADIAN ELECTIONS.

Government and Unionist Victory,

Ottawa, February 2ord. Tur. general elections for tho Canadian

llou-o of Commons have resulted in

majority of forty-rive members for the pro sent Govornmont be-in;; returned. In Novi

fcotia tho Unionist candidates woro alone returned. Tho agitation for tho sc-co^eicn of that province is thus entirely ended, fcir (.'has, Tupper, .Finance Minister, was oloctod for Cumberland electorate by a largo majority.

The German Elections.

Bkri.i.n, February 22.—1 n tho different electorates throughout Germany tho Op position havo lost heavily. Lip to tho present -'21 members havo boen eloctod to tho Keichfltag, tho Government having a majority of sixty-nine. Throughout tho provinces tho Socialists and Radicals lost heavily, but in Alsace the Governmont havo been defeated in every option.

The Retchsta to be Summoned.

(special mkssauk )

London, February 22,

Tho Emperor William has expressed him solf satisfied with the favourable results of tho olec'.ions to tho Gorman lieich stag, and ho will convene tho Heich st.ig without, waiting for a re-liallot of tho ilii>l>utod Socialist, pcfttu in Berlin.

The French Leaving New Hebrides.

I.o.M'ON, February 22.—1u tlio House of CuuiiuuiiK to (lay Sir .lamed Pergussou im nouucod tlisli tho nuuibor of French troops in tha Now Hebrides had lately beun lo duecd, and that tlor Majesty's Government were arranging with tho French Govern ment for tho removal of all troop:! from those islands. Stanloy's African Expedition. Am;x, February '22 —Mr 11. U. Stanley, who is proceeding- to the relief of Eiuin liny in bquutorial Africa, tins arrived at Zan/.i bar. England nnd tho ColonlCß. London, February 23.—At a meeting of St. Goor K o'a Club last night, at which the A(.'entsOonoral of the colonies worn prceont, Mr Oocben, Chancellor of tho Exchequer, mudo a F]ieoch, in which ho urgod tho necessity of nil political parties uniting to pupport tho Oovorntnant nt the present oii-i . It, «ns necessary, ho declared, to show iho colonius ihat jKngland dill re tained tho nrt by which the had l>nilt up her Km pir,) Munitions o* War lor Sydney. Sydnky, Kabruary 23.—Tha Goveramont hnvo discovered that £200,0(10 worth of war material, which wns ordered by Mr Oalloy without th<) sanction of tho Cabinet during ihn lato vsrur ecaro, is now boing shipped to bydnoy. Ministerial Hanquet. Mbxnoi km;, this day.—Sir William Kitz herbort and Sir Jlenry Farkoa wero outor tained at dinner last night by tho Premier and mombui-4 of the Ministry. Sir Ucnry Parkc3 in Victoria. MjftisoimNE, Fobraary 23.—Sir Henry Parko- arrived here this morning. It is understood that ho will make inquiries re gardinpr the manairement of tho Victorian pail ways ; also, aa (o what stepo shall ho taien io preventtlio importation of diseased horses into Victoria. He had a conference «ith Mr &ilhea to-day on intercolonial matters. Among the eubjecta dfecuemsd wero arran^ementw for celebrating the QnwmV Jubilee, a.-.tl (ho presont aspect of Bttaira in Tonga. Tho INew South Wales Premier will leave for Denilliquin to morrow ■where he will addross the olectors. He roturna to Melbourne on FricUy, when, ho will ngniii confer with tho Victorian Go vernment,. South Australian Politics. Adelaide, this day.- In the course of bis address yosterday, the Premier, Mr Bray, urj;ed economy in the public expenditure, and the necessity of taxation f:;!linj,' on the wealthier claepea. He encouraged sr.hemeß for water oon-crvation, but discountenanced the borrowing of krye sums of moaev to be expeudtd ou unprcduetive work, lie p:;. (I'Cttii that tho property tux wouUI prccltica £180,000, ami cooMderc.l H. iinwimi di. the |iresent luomsat, to increase ',!jo tar ill'in i!ki direction of protection, but whan th« proper time arrHtd the (Vovernmunt would udd to tho duties on lines which could be manufactured in the colony in order to en couvage local Industrie?. Ht ivould BUDDOIt the payment of member.-, without, "how ever, making it a Government measure. '

SHOCKING OCCURRENCE.

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION IN A POWDER FACTORY.

Many Lives Lost

(jieutek'h tjslkgbaji),

Mkuioubnjs, February •-':>.

AtivlUiii-.lk explosion occurred at noon to day at Arblaator'a Military (iunpowder Factory, Job's Cully, Sandhurst.

Tho building took liro, and is atil! burning liercoly. Only one body baa yet beou re covored. Four otliord, Including that of tho proprietor's son, uro vitiblo inside the burning building but it is utterly im practicable to attempt to recover them at present. . . Sovtral person* havo been stnonsly burned, and many narrow escape.'? are re- P°Tho explosion, which was heard for miles around, originated in a roam whore powder was com proved by hydraulic power. Tho magazine, howovor, has not yot exploded.

LATER.

SIX LIVC3 liCSt.

MeLBOUKNB, this day

By tho explosion at Sandhurst m opera tives lost their live?, the bodies being literally roasted. Two other workraon wove seriously injured.

THE TONGA DISTURBANCE.

A «crii!Ji" Account.

(kedtek's teleobam )

Svikvev, February IS. The captain of tno North German steamer liiibeclt Btaten when ho arrived at the island on February 2nd, ho found the inhabitants in a torribloatute of excitement. Six prieonoia who attempted to take tho life of the Premier suii'dred death at tho hands of an

armed party, consisting of a hundred native?, and it id stated that thirty shots wore iired at cich man. An urined party of riativeß was etatiouod round tho King's I'alaco. The Rev. Mr Moulton writes tto nying that tho Mlair originated with the W etlcy-ins. He faya it proven to be a con spiracy in which some of the highest chiefs uro engaged. Mr JJakei'd rulo has become intolerable.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The quartorly meeting of tho members of

tho Chamber of Commerce was hold at 8 pin this day. Thoro v ,r< a fair .attendance, tho President, Mr .lohn Lamb, occupying the chair. Tho quarterly report was cir culated amongst tbo?o present. It reviewed tho work dono during the past quarter, araougct which wore the matters of iho San b'ranciaco Mail Service-, tho sadden incroaso of iho cnhlo tariff by tho Kaeturn Extension Telegraph Cable-Company, which had, uftw Homo dilay, agriod i" tl.o xtalvs i/ho aide fur nix morillir, but with .1 reduction of pvo-s mcs'iiges In thruepocca .1 word. With regard 10 llic mining industry, tho report staUd that on tho 17th November tho Council meet Mr Henry Cordon, Mining Engineor. The improve ments required at the Thames were pointed out to Mr Gordon, and after considerable discussion resolutions were passed request ing tho Government to aid the Kig i'urnp with steam power, aleo asking that the Thames might be more liberally dealt with in future in tho appropriation for goldlitlds, and requesting tbeMinieterof Mines to make such allocation out of the moneys at hie dis posal as wiilenabiothelocalgoverning bodies to carry out important necessary worka Tho report further staled that theeo reso lutions forwarded to Mr Lurnach on tho 2nd December. '• In reply an undignifiod

letter was rcceivod by your Council, and

having been duly considered, a latter wa? cent in reply to tlr.> lion, the Minister of Mine?, complaining of tho attitude takon up by him. No roply has yet been received thereto ; probably domestic aliliction may

bo sot down a» tho cause of this apparent

neglect. Your Council cannot, in their opinion, lot tho matter rest in its present unsatisfactory state, especially in view of tho totally apathetic attitude taken up by the Minietor cf Mine.", and would surest, as Parliament will coon be in seseies, that a special meeting of partits interested in mining be called, with a view to energetic action being taken upon this almost vital subject, ;md rjrossuro bo brought to boar upon the members of tho Northern District imd tho Minister of Mine?. Unless some f uch programme is carried out the mining industry will, in tho future, bo treated with the saoiG studied neglect as it b.a<> been in tho past." The roport also dealt with the resolution pn?«cd ill reply to the letter re ceived from Sir Kobert Stout, relative to tho trade with Canada,' concluding with the following vote :—" Your Council think this is one of the important subject? bearing upon our commercial relations between New Zealand and the Ameri can Continent that may at some future timo dorolop in'o considerable impor tance, and should not be lost sight of." The matter of tho proposed Maritime Exhibition, ISOO, was also mentioned, tho following rosolution passed by the Council being quoted : —" That, while thanking Sir Julius Vogel for tho interesting matter he had brought bolore them, it was a matter of too vast imoortanco to at onco form a resolution upon, and that tho Chamber should take the m;ittor up at future meet ing and cndeavoui to c.srry out, if possible, the suggestions that had been thrown out."

The visit of Mr Price Williams waa referred to in Iho following l-ertos:—"On the stb t'obruaty your Oouticil met, and Air Price U'il.iau.n,al considerablolongth.ontorcdinto bin psotui*ed explanations, touching upon, muongsi, other subjects, railway uiauage inont; the growth of tho Colony, as between I ski ami ioS4 : tho vast resources of the Colony, ;ir* c.xLMunliticii iti tho largo deposits of conl, iron oro, and miuerule or every des cription, undeveloped for tho want of the ntcei-Gury capital to win the saoie, and suggested that a financial federation should be iormed bitwean tho capitalists of England and tho capitalists hero to work on the mutual principlo tho undeveloped resources of tho Uolony. Several gentlemen having addressed tho meeting, tho following resolution was proposed and carried: — " That tho beet thanks of this Chamber be accorded Mr Price Williima for his courtesy in stating his views upon the prospects and resources of tho Colony ; further, that tho Chamber approves of tho principlo of financial federation and co operation a? defined by Mr Prica Williams, and instruct the Council to tako up tho question, and assist., by acting as Ad visingComniitlee.in furtheri.igtheaelierne." Various minor matters, such as the pro rnifod lighthouse on Cuvior Island, tho s>alo of tho rovonuo cutter Hawk, ani tho calling- of tenders for tho next section of tho Hotorua Hallway, wero also mentioned in tho report. After tho report had been adopted tho meeting proceeded to consider, tho accompanying recommenda (ionf, which arc intended to bo submitted to member* prior to their doparture for Wellington :-Island Trade : That, in viow of giving facilities for tho Island trade, wo would recommend that, a Charter of In corporation bo granted to a company to bo formed lor tho purpoeo of trading with tho Saouth Scu Islands, and that Government bo united tor a guarantee, and with duo pro vision being made tor puvehiMUiß tha interests of those nowenyugod in tha trade. liuilwuy Keiortn: That th« Council H of opinion that Inert) should be a change in the prevent system of working the railways, and would nugget that they i-hould bo placed undur a non-political Board of Management, Navigation Laws: That tho present system of allowing foreign-owned vessels carrying goods from ono port to another on tho coast is inimical to the ship ping interests of tho colony, and that alteration should bo made on me same lines os^are now- enforced in Canada. Kaihvay \\ orks : Tho Chamber ro.-pecuully request that mombers urge- Government to proceod with tho Main Trunk Kaihvay with all possible speed, and, failing being able to construct a branch to join Turanaki with the railway, that a read c-hould be formed co as to conDeot wuh Taranaki. Goldfields: That the atten tion ef members bo called to the present inadequate L'rant in aid of the goldfjeidn, uud that ;:■ tuliieiept sum be obtaitiedin order to teat mid treat our refractory ores.and that a .sum, by way of subsidy, ba put upon tho B«tnuiuu, in nid of prospecting an-i forma ti.m ..( nm<U. Tecunlc«l Mufcoums : That mtinb'.TH , h.uirl irnpreua iijioh tho 'Goi-eri' iur.t.ti., it i ~,,A . ,..j ~, t eU bli r hu.;; 'Jecbiji cul Museums iv the iarge centu-f, oud iurthtr thix, ttchiiical ela f o«s should ha established in .schools, with a view to tha promotion of manufacturing industries iv the-colour. The meetiny ivai proaeedius »= «•= went! to press. I

Accident to Mr Macandrew, M.H.R.

(BY TKLERKAI'It.—PEK-3 ASSOWATIUN.)

Du.NKDIXi V/cdnoeday. Mil MacanjjHEW, M.fl.K , haa met with a rather serious accidont. While proceeding home tho horse he was diiviou' bolted, and Mr Macandrow wa9 thrown out, receiving a Bovero fhaking. No bonoa ar>poar to bo broken. ______

New Zealand Coal on H.M.S. Nelson.

BY TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIENCE.

Wellington, Wednesday.

Whk.n H'.M.S. Nelson was here laet year, the Union Company sent 10 tons of Weat port coal aboard. Mr Boyd, engineer, re ported so favourably on it thatthe Admiralty has just cent orders to take a large quantity noxt trip, and 700 tons have been ordered. Mr Boyd thinks that if ha is able to report as hi''b!y upon this aa the smaller quantity, tho Admiralty will purchase large quanti ties and forward them to tho Australian depots for the solo uso of tho men-of-war on tho station.

THAMES NOTES.

(|;y IKLKGIUI-B-OWN UOKKKSI'ONnBNT.)

Thames, this day, Mr Barrow's Claim.

Tiik award of the arbitrators re Mr Dar row's claim for £200 from tha Harbour Board for less of timo and extra mullock deposited in connection with the goods wharf contract has at laet been opened by the contractor, tha Board having de clined to taltn it- "P It docidoa that tho Bonn* thould pay Mr Datrow £7G in settlement of all claims, and £10, being two-tl>iids if cost of arbitration. Police Changes. Inspector Goorlall and ConHtable Stanton yesterday proceeded to Tauranga, which will in future be the headquarters of the district.

NAPIER NOTES.

(liV TthKCRA I'II. — OWN UOI'.IIIiWOnUENT.)

Napikr, thia day,

Brislt Business.

Ik a circular to their clients, Nelson Bros, of tho Tomoana Freezing Work?, state that early as the reason if, they have killed, fro/.an und shipped 90,000 carcases. Their freezing chambers are now full, with 25.500 carcases, and they aro compelled to eto killing till freight can be procured Lone Tramp by Deserted Wives. Two women, with their four children, reached Xapier 00 Tuesday, baring walked from Poverty Bay. The women bad been deserted by their hunbands, and left Gis borne before Christmas, and walkodby easy stages, camping out at night. Thoy wore admitted to tho Raftige. Another woman, will) four children, arrived by train on Tues day nnd yostorday applied for charitable re lief. The bußband had"sent thorn to the hotel ami then cleared out, leaving them desti tute. The woman's story h that eho haa been married twelve years to an old soldier, who had not dono a stroke of work for Bcven yoars, loating on the Maoris and the charity of the settlers from placo to place. They had worked their way up from Wan ganui. A Silver Cradle. Tho Mayor (Mr Swan) was presented with a daughter yescorday, and Councillors are making arrangements to present him with a silver cradle.

The Imbecile Passengers' Act

Liability of Shipmasters.

(r.Y TULtCltAl'H.— OK COIIHE.SI'ON&MiT,)

Wellington, this day. The authorities of the benevolent institu tion have lately endeavoured to take action under the Imbecile PaseongerB1

Act, ISS2, with a viow of compolling the captain of the Kuapohu to enter into a bond of £100 that the colony ehould not be burdened with the maintenance of a con. aumptivo immigrant who is stated to have been brought from England on board the vessel in the capacity of domestic servant at a nominal wage. It is, however, feared that tho notice as to tho man's state oi hoalth camo too lato to take any action undor tho Act, as it was not given until 14 days after tho vessel's arrival in the colony, within which period the captain might bavo bocri called upon to execute the bond. It iras mentioned that in the instance under notice Dunedin was the first port of call, so that by the time tho man reached Wellington tho Board was powerless accord ing to tho present interpretation of the Act. Opinions were expressed by members of the Boird that representations should bo mado to the Premier with a view of obtaining an amendment nf tao Act to provide for reckon ing 14 days from tbo time of arrival at the immigrants' port of destination.

POLICE COURT.—This Way.

(Bofore Messrs Whitcombo and S. V,

Collins, .T.l'.'e )

DnuKKK.SMtBS. — Four persons pleaded guilty to this offence, and were subjected to tho customary penalty.

Allkgjsd Lauoeny.—Kobert McKay was charged with tho larceny of a pair of woollen drawers, value 51, tho property of Bernard 11. Keening.—Mr O'Meagher ap peared for tho accused, and pleaded not guilty.—lsornard Henry Koesing, licensed pawnbroker, deposed that tho prisoner was in hia shop botivccn !) and 10 o'clock yoeter day forenoon, hie had with him two mate', who came to redeem pledges. Witness had occasion to turn his back in order to get chango. Tho accused walked out of tho shop with something under hia coat. He misted two pairs of drawers, and get ting an expressman to look after the shop for a moment, ho ran round to Elliott-street, where ho found tho piisonor and the man who had redeemed the articles from pawn. Accused had ono pair of drawers under his coat, and witness identified the articles as his. Ho believed the first man of the three who loft the shop took away the other pair of drawers. —By Mr O'Meagher: He would not swear that tho articles pawned did not include a pair of drawers like these. He had to drag the drawers from accused by force.— Henry S wind ley and Constable Fin nerty wero also called. The constable de posed that when he arrested prisoner the latter said he had nevor soon tbo drawers before. He appeared to be f-omewbat utidor tho influence of liquor.—Mr 0 Meaghor submitted that if a man in a condition of stupidity from drink took up an article and went away with it, be ioving it to bo hi 3 own, tbo conduct did not amount to larceny. 110 called John Kerr, cousin of tho accused, who said ho had known McKay from boy hood. They had been together nearly all their lives Accused had been compelled to pledge some clothes, and when witness ■was paid off from the Haudfly he took his couein up to get the articles out of pawn. Whon Keeping catuo aftsr them, prisoner would not give tho drawers back, paying that they wore the goods which had been ree'eemed from pawn. He believed there waa a pair of drawers amongst Mc- Kay's things in paivn.-Tho Bench found tha prisoner guilty, and fined him £1 and costs, or in default fourteen days' imprison ment.

A Boisterous Person.—Theresa Hand pleaded not guiliy to a charge of wilfully breaking a cell bucket, value ss.—Detec tive Herbert deposed that about ten o'clock last ni K ht they heard a groat noiso proceeding from the Bell in which prisoner was confined. They went to the coll, and found that the bucket was smashed, while tho accused was beating a tin panuikio against the wall. Prisoner ap peared to bo mad.—The Bench commented on the previous convictions of tho prisoner, which were numerous, and fined her £5 and costs and the amount of the damage, or in def-jult, one month's imprisonment.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1887.



HOSIERY of Every Daßcription greatly reauoed in price. Nothind Uko it in Auoklsnd.-At T. Short's Groat Clearing Sale. By Order of the Kxocntora. __ SPECIALLY CHBAP LINES AT QOODSON'S LONDON ARCADE. 5 quires (120BheetB) good Cream Ruled Paper for Gi; Envelopes to match. Bd per 100; Jtau do Cologne, 2a bottle for la, or Sa 6d bottla for 3s 6d ; Toilet Vinegar, 3i 6d bottle for 2a. or lßamoller size; Dlnnor ee'B (18 pieces), hand some patterns. 25f: Tea Seta (40 oleoesl, china, haodsotnoly <u!t, 12a 6d the Bet; Breakfast Sets, ohina aod gilt, 16a ; Deeeert Seta. isj : Chamber Hel 3, handsome patterns, 12s ed; Toilet beta, 3s 6d- elogant Cut-glass Scent Bottles, nickel silver tops. Is Bd; Sterling Silver Jewellery, marvellously cheap; Nickel Silver Clock?, good tlmo-teeepcrs, 6s each; Whitehacdle Table Knives, rlvolted. Is td the J-dozan: Whlte liandle Dessert Knives, rivettcd, 3a Bd tho i dozen ; Black-handle Knives and Forks, strong nnd nood, 3a tho 1 dozen pairs ; Bread Knives, fld each : Bread «nd Butter Flutter^ 64 each ; Al Klcctro-platcd Table Forkß and Spoons. Bs tho J-dozon; Al Klectrloplatsd Dessert Forks and Spoons, isGl tho 4-doz.; White Metal Table Forks and Spoons, Bd eacn; White Metal Desert Forks and Spoons, id each; White Motal TeaFocks and Spoons, 2d eaoh; Japa nese Glove and Handkerchief Boxes, la 6d the pair; Japane»e Snnshades, 9d each; other Japanese goods, cheap ; Jugs (set of three), handsomo patterns, 2s Gd the sat; Stove Oini» menta. all at Is each; Hair, Cloth, and Hat Brashes, and Perfumery, cheap; Pocket Cut lery. the cheapest in Auckland: DoJIb. china and compo.. from 3d each; Writing Caseß and Deskß. from 2a 6d each; Workboxes and Basket', from 2a each: Papier Macho Goods, a splendid assortment; Toys in endless variety arranged on Btalls — 3d, Bd. and is eaoh article and up wards. For Birthday, Wedding, or any Pre sents, no place in Auckland line the London Aroado for Variety and Cheapness. Price list on application. — Not" Address: GOODSON'S LONDON ARCADE, 2lO,Queen-stre3t(oppOßite Me Arthur's Warehouse.)



MILNE AND CHOYCE'S /"^H EAT r(ABK S ALE OK SURPLUS SUMMER GOODS IS NOW PIIUUKEDI.MJ. BARGAINS IN EVERY DEPARTMENT. n.b.-sale will absolutely close Monday, Feu. 28. JMjlne and Choyce, QUKEN AND WKLLE9LEY STREE33



W. J. H URST & C°- B. J. KSAM and A. H. GRAINGER having purchased from tho Public Trustee (the Executor under the Will ot tho late W. J. Hurst) the Goodwill, Stock-in-trade, Book Debts, etc., of the old-established business of W. J. Hurst and Co., Grain, Seed, Produae, and Artificial Manure Merchants, will trade under the same style and name, and will continue the busir.caa aa heretofore. All Outstanding accounts are requested to be paid forthwith. W. J. HURBT & CO. ON SALE. SEJCDS- New Soai. on'a Clovers and Natural Grasses Rye Grass and Cools-afoot (in variety) Turnip and Mangold Seeds MANUBKS- Bonedust (line and 1-inoh) Superphosphates (various grades) Nitrate of Soda Bulphate of Ammonia Potash, Kalnet, otc, etc. Peruvian Guano GRAIN— Seed and Feed of all descriptions Flour, Oatmeal Bran, Sharps Table and Coarse Salt Table Potatoes &c, &c, &o. W. J. HUKBT &, CO., QUBEN-BTBBBT. AUCKLAND. nEEAI X>BDUCTION3 AT WILLIAM R. BRIDGMAN'S QLBARINO QBSAP QA.BH gALE. Aioti ' 30.000 Yards Dress Materials In crest variety ' A really stood line Fancy DreßS Oooda. 4|d yd ] Choice lot of Prints, cost price, to oleat White and Grey Calicoes at cost price Wide Gray Calico. Is 10d doz: WMte do. 2}d yd - Clearing line Swiss Embroidery from Id per yd Ladies' Black Jerßeys from Is lid i 10,000 Yards White, Cream, and Coloured < Oriental Laces from Is 3d doz. half usual : price ; Parachutes, 6d ; Umbrellas, Is I 1,250 Pairs Olrla', Ladies, and Men's Hosiery r from 3sd per pair—a great bargain Men's Strong Cotton Shirts, Is c Long Lace Uurtaias, 2s M per pair Boys' and Youths' Dressed Oxford Shlrto, la lid C Men's do, 2s lid Boyß' and Youths' Black Felt Hats, la ' Men's Windsor Scarfs, 5d r Men's Tweed Trousers, 4s 6d ; Boyß' do, 3s 6a Men's Merino Singlet". Is Sd : do Pants, Zs c Mcn'o DB. Black Cloth Vests. 2s fid, worth 8s 6d ,-, Men's Black Cloth Soils, good quality. 35« Lot cf Men's really good Coats.'all wool, but not t latest sr.yle. at halt-price, from fis Hd . Laifre Stock of Corsets"afwarehouse price, from l land ~ Large lot of Remnants in great variety, cheap , Laoe and Cashmere Capes from Is lid ll i 288, UPPER QX7BBNSTREBT. .""



y|ISEASES OF THE EYE AND EAR. i Mr HUMPHREY~HAINKS, Fellow of tha j Rojal Collage of Snrgooaa, Edinburgh, &c. late ] Kesldant House Surgeon to the National Kyo and Bar Infirmary, Dublin-having devoted a longthcnod period, both on tho Continent, and in the United Kingdom, to tho Btndy of Dißuaeos peonliar to the Kyea and Kara, can now bo con sulted for tfte sarao at the reaidonco of Dr C. H. Halnes. Princeaatreet, Albert Park, Auckland. Hours of Consultation. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. OEEING IS BELIEVING frvj B-UfliVJi; yuu Aluax oaJi ~t ?SOMK~ANIJ LOuK * TaHUlti'o WINDOW Z/2 jvaVitu B_'uiiti atia.nu ut QJ 'TM-EVKR'LIKILY r5 rjio OCGUK AliAlN _^ J: . Qj SILK urusiao-o JBOI4 Tan r-iviua ~ , "*s« OD' CUT IUN liuUUd [V|p TNOFiIiUTION INVITJSU |Jg 1 _ r -is ULOUKKD al_Kd, la PKK YauD w E™ VJiKY CUMUIvIVABUi!; StIAUK r- ,H ch.u __ o^a; ±*±ucii;, la t-itu i^iiu pc^o VELVKTKENd. FKOM la !_-|3 rhQ T>LUSH_», 2s na wg A[u<* 13 Tnfli XlMo. Zfl_\ fr\o buy E—| pH__P -ALL URKSSao, is per id. f_^ Cno-OTKETrx^TrvjrrsENsrTa rr O ' J"H ITiVitltY fbdalULE sHaDm., la ~ H & GQ VJK.L»K.TfI,ENd, FttUM la "^Si _. rf) T3>-Uoli_S. FKOM 2a lla "^sSB ■*»< ■f>Ksr timk ' m i 3 r-3 rriuiiUY Q t aiLK uuwsa fuk _rj A. fT1 riliiE PlUCni OK fcH * COTTON ONK aGgr 53 A T T HUS- S tIORT' 3 /^1 n_AT OLBAKINO SALK T> V OKDKK OV »T\ilK -XEuUTOiIo THE "STAR" CIRCULATION. Auckland, 7th January, 1887. W* hereby certify that we have ex amined the Books and Vouchers of the "EVENING STAR" Newspaper for he year ISS6, with tht following re sults : — Number of Copies issued to the public a>id actually circulated for the year ending Slst December, 5,584,855, giving an average daily isme of |0j792! 7'hi issues for the year ISHS were 3,252,392, giving an average daily issue of 10,491. This shores an average daily INCREASE of 301 eopits. JNO. MILNE ) Public J. WAYMOUTH { Accountants.



W. H. Hoskins and Co., Boot Manufao tiinc:.-\ Union arrl N -!s v serein. At.okla.nd. (Juiiiry u.i.d cbo.iina-hcunii.iocd ii'urcktepsis oii'.l eet leia uliiiso noto.—[Auvr ) J>o»»ont3 (,isa Rtirtaflleis 11 (' «-hr?o ,-^'i oal! for American Hod BUtew tese green twig of Hops ct, the white label and £>r. Sotile's name blcvin im the bottle), tha ven dor hands out anything but American Hop Hittora, ri'f uho it and stun that vendor aa yon would a viper: and if he tuia taken your money tar anything tlit, indict him for the fraud ana cua him for dam&ees tCT Saa Dwindle, tod W* »v w rm uteniir tor iWiomTioU*.