SHIPPING.

Sunset—This evening. 5.42. Sunrise—To-uiorraw morningf. 6.11. Moon's Age—Last Quarter Sept. 11,2.12 a.m.

HIGH WATER.

Auckland—This evening, 10.57; to-morrow morning. 11.22. Manukau Heads.—This afternoon, 1.37; to morrow morning, 2.2. ' , Kaipara Heads. - This afternoon, 2.37; to morrow morning, 3.2.

ARRIVALS.

Wellington, s.s., from Whangarei Clansman, s.s., from Russell lona, s.s., from Barrier Douglas, s.s., from Opotiki

DEPARTURES.

Eoranui, s.s., for Greymouth Wainui, s.s., for Wellington Arab, barque, for New York

STEAMERS TO ARRIVE.

Coromandel, from Coromandel, Saturday,

5 p.m. Rotomahana, from Thames, Saturday, 2.30

p.m. Enterprise, from Thames, Sunday, 5 a.m. Mariposa, from Sydney, September 11 Zealandia, from San Francisco, Sept. 15 Aorangi, from Plymouth, September 14

SAILING VESSELS EXPECTED.

Piako, ship, left London July 2 Waikato, ship, from London May Queen, ship, from London Lurline, ship, from London Margaret Galbraith, ship, left Glasgow July 1 Rosedale, from Middlesborough, for Kaipara Zealandia, ship, from London Evie Reed, bq., from New York, via Lyttel-

ton ; sailed June 20 Star of the East, from New York, via

Dunedin, sailed June 7 Mary. A. Greenwood, bq., left New York

July 27, via Lyttelton , Grecian Bend, schooner, lefb Newcastle

August 25 Wild Wave, bq., left Newcastle August 29 Jennie 8., schr., from Fiji Sharpshooter, bq., from Fiji Kirkdale, bq., from Java, early Mimiha, schr., left Lyttelton August 29 Orpheusj schooner, from Dunedin Marion, schooner, from Rarotonga Maile, schr., from a cruise Louie, schooner, from a cruise. Ryno, schr., from a cruise Torea, sch., from a cruise Olive, schr., from a cruise

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Hermione, ship, for London, loading C. W. Janes, schooner, for New York Koranui, for Greymouth, Wednesday

The s.s. lona returned from Great Barrier early this morning. Passenger :Mr Hurley.

The barque Arab sailed for New York early this morning.

The brigantine Defiance and brig Syren, bound North, were lying windbound at Whangarei Heads yesterday.

The s.s. Wainui left for Wellington, and the Koronui for Greymouth, early last evening.

The R.M.S Aorangi should arrive at Wellington from Hobart about Monday afternoon next, and reach this port early on Wednesday morning.

The s.s. Whampoa was busily engaged discharging Auckland cargo to-day. She is expected to leave for Hong Kong, via Wellington, Lyttelton and Port Chalmers, to-morrow.

The s.s. Douglas arrived from Tauranga this morning, after having been detained there for several hours by bad weather. Her passengers, were, brought on by the lona yesterday. £ . ___

The following .-smalj- coasters, -have ar rived : Atalanta, schooner, from Whangarei Violet, ketch, from Thames; Kotuku, s. s.. from Thames ; Paku, cutter, from Tairua : Una and Waitemata, scows, from Tairua. •,

An attempt was made to haul the s.s. Matai off the shingle bank at Greymouth yesterday afternoon, but the attempt provM unsuccessful. So far it appears that the steamer has sustained no damage whatever.

The s.s. Clansman arrived from Northern ports early this morning and was docked for cleaning. Passengers: Messrs Cant, Wilkinson, Owen, Keesing, Harrop, Davis, "VVrio-ht, Patterson, Ross, Carver, Buchan an, Baker, Miss Tynan, Miss Schapp, Lady Gibbes and 2 children, Mrs Jameson, and 10 steerage.

The s.s. Wellington arrived from Whan garei last evening with the following pas sengers : —Messrs Greatbrok, Cox, Tomlin, Suiter, Stevens, Sergeant, McLeod, Noton, McCorkindale, Garland, McLcnnan, Munro, Mr and Mrs Smith, Mradames, Morgan, Neeson, Rawlins and family (4), Misses Wallace, McKenzie, Finlayson, Wooley, Steadman, Robinson, and 1 in the steerage.

THE WENONA SAFE.

Captain D. H. McKenzie received the following telegram this morning ffom Captain George Davis, ofthe barque Wenona: —"Arrived at last. Strong southerly ■winds and calms during the whole passage. " The Wenona, having left this pott on the Bth August, occupied a month on the voyage. After discharging her cargo of guano she will load grain, etc., and return to this port.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Helensville, this day.—Arrived, Wed nesday, Vision.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star Office. Messrs Hunter and Nolan's Report.— Grain, horse feed, seeds, etc. : The supply has been good, and a steady demand has ex isted : We quote : Feed oats, 2s 3d to 2s 4d ; Danish seed oats, 2s 4d to 2s 6d ; bran, £3 15s to £4 per ton ; sharps, £5 per ton ; oaten chati', £310s to £4 per ton; potatoes, £2 17s 6d tb £3 ; bonedust, £7 to £8 per ton. Horses: A good many have been brought forward, and found purchasers at little alteration in value. An average number were submitted by auction at the Durham Yards; on Friday. There was steady competition throughout, and most of the lots were cleared, but no high-priced animals were disposed of. We quote : Hacks, at from £7 to £12 10s; light harness horses, £6 15s to £12 6s ; weeds, from £1 10s to £3; draughts, from £9 to £17. Wool, hides, and skins : Fairly good quantity pitched at the Durham Yards on Tuesday. Ox hides realised from 3|d to 4g; cowhides, 2|d to 3+d ; calfskins, 3£d to 4d. Sheepskins, 3s 2d to 5s 2d per skin ; wool in grease, 7Jd per lb Cattle : There has not been any thing stirring, nor any material alteration in value of any description. The Newmar ket Yards on Tuesday, were tolerably well supplied, and there was a marked increase in the number yarded at Papakura on Wednesday. There has been an unsatisfied demand for grown steers in fresh condition, but there was no noteworthy alteration in value of any class. Sheep: But limited number yarded at Newmarket on Tuesday. Wethers from 12s to 16s ; ewes from 10s 6d to 12s; lambs sold from 5s 6d to 13s each. Pigs : Good many in ; prices ranged from fid to 3d per lb live weight.

Mr Alfred Buckland's Weekly Re port —At*he Haymarket on Friday, Sept. 2 norse stock were yarded in moderate tinmber prices without alteration; good 2ffll dSngbt stock brought from *fc to 10a; light baniQSß and ndmg pomw

from £3 to £7 ; a dray, £10. Fodder, in usual supply, was at lower values ; prices rann-ed from 2s to 3s the cwt; chaff, £4; potatoes, £2 17s 6d the'ton ; maize, 2s s'd ; oats, 2s 4d to 2s 6d the bushel. At the hide sale, on Tuesday, prices were fully sustained ; hides brought 4d to 4|d the lb, or from 23s to 28s each ; good cow hides, 3id ; calfskins, 4d to 4gd the lb; tallow, 13s 3d and 14s 3d; bones, 4s 9d the cwt; sheepskins brin£ full values, and any on hand should be for warded before the general shearing; prices range from Is 3d to 4s 8d each. The monthly cattle sale at Waiuku was well supplied with stock: bidding was good and few reserves. At Remuera, on Thursday, dairy cattle were dull of sale. Store cattle in better inquiry. Fat cattle in moderate number sold somewhat irregularly, but, on the whole, no improvement on last week's values. Fat sheep were slightly better worth. Fat lambs, all yarded of good quality, averaged 14s each. Pigs were in better demand, particularly well-bred porkers. Fat calves also sold well. ■*.'•' Messrs G. W. Brs'SEY and Sons' Re port.—Offered a full catalogue at their sale of hides, skins, tallow, &c, and the demand for all descriptions of hides con tinues firm: Stout ox hides realised 4sd to 4| (24s 6d to 275); heavy, 4d to 4gd (20s to 235); medium, 3Ad to 3|d ; cow, 2id to 3d ; kip, 2Jd to 4§d; calfskins, 4d to 4Jd per lb ; damaged and cut, difficult to sell: sheep skins, demand good and competition keen ; all lots cleared at satisfactory prices, viz., from Is 7d to 5s 9d each ; tallow, 12s 6d to 13s ; bones, 3s to 53 ; shanks, 5s 6d per cwt; rough fat, Id per lb. Messrs Banks and Co's Weekly Re port. —At Parawai on Thursday the supply of fat cattle was scarcely equal to the week's requirements, and consequently there was no falling off from last week's improved prices. Steers, medium weights, made from £4 17s 6d to £7 2s 6d each ; cows, from £3 17s 6d to £5 ss. There was a full market of sheep, but all were sold without difficulty at fair prices, wethers making from 12s 6d to 14s 3d each ; ewes, 7s to 10s. We also quote oats at 2s 4d to 2s 6d per bushel, and chaft' at 4s 2d to 4s 6d per cwt.

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

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1887.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, . And the good that we can do.

Some rather startling *facts with regard to the employment of foreigners in English mercantile houses have been elicited by a circular issued by the London Chamber of Commerce. The circular was addressed to all the lead ing firms carrying on business within the City of London, and contained the following series of questions : —

1. Do you find it necessary to employ any foreign clerks in preference to Englishmen ? 2. Can you favour us with your reasons for this ?

3. What proportion do the foreigners bear to the Englishmen ?

4. What relative positions do they hold in your office as to the responsibilities and importance of their duties, as to their status and salary?

5. To what nationality do foreigners em ployed in English commerce mostly belong ? 6. Are Englishmen employed to the same extent in foreign countries ? If not, how do you account for this difference ? 7. Would it bo possible by means of suit able education for Englishmen to render it no longer advantageous to employ fo reigners ? 8. What sort of education would young men need, in your opinion, to supplant the foreigners now employed . 9. Have you formed any impressions as to the influence of the specific training for business life in schools or colleges specially designed for that purpose ? (a) Upon the success of foreigners in com mercial life in England ?

(h) Upon the growth of commercial enter prise iv Germany, France, and other coun tries '!

The replies were very numerous, and from them it appeared that 35 per cent, of thosei who had been appealed to had foreign clerks in their employ, and other business houses intimated that, the exigencies of their business would probably compel them to add foreign clerks to their staffs. The great defect in English clerks com plained of in these replies was that very few young Englishmen speak, any other language than their own. Germans are vastly superior in this respect, and it is mainly foreigners of that nationality who find their way into English mercantile houses. The London " Times," in an article dis cussing the results of this important inquiry, observes :—

The recent report of the Technical Com mission is absolutely conclusive as to the enormous advantages which the leading continental nations have over us in the matter of technical and specific instruction, as regards cheapness, excellence, and ac cessibility to all classes. We are awaken ing to the necessity for extending similar advantages in this country, and scarcely one of the answers received by the Chamber of Commerce fails to point out the need for an advance- in this respect. There is prac tical uniformity also in the recommendation that more attention should be given to trade subjects in the secondary schools, and it is remarkable that the praiseworthy efforts of some of our educational institu tions do not y«ik eeem to have made much impression itt aupplying the market. In addition to this it is interesting to note that, with very few exceptions, 'the neces sity for completing teohnical knowledge by a higher general education ie recognised.

It would also appear thatthe training

in German business1 houses is more general than in English houses, where a clerk is kept almost exclusively to one department. The German clerk being accustomed to niore simple habits of life, is also willing to give his services at a lower rate of .remunera tion. It is gratifying, however, to find that the replies"contained in the cir culars are almostunanimous indeclarmg that except for these defects in train ing, which it is within the power of the educational institutions to rectify, they consider the Englishman * superior workman to any foreigner, and would prefer him. Some of the replies also assert that a large proportion of the foreign employees practically act as spies in the houses where they are employed, giving their services merely for the purpose of acquiring knowledge, which can afterwards be used in promoting the business of similar firms in their own country. Many of them were mere birds of passage, in some instances accepting service abroad as a means of filling in the time between their school age and the period when they must enter the army under the conscription. It was also shown that Englishmen are scarcely ever employed in foreign countries, so that there ,is no more reciprocity in labour than in trade. The facts elicited by this interesting inquiry may be vie wed in many different ways. The Anglo-Saxon .race has un questionably been built up, improved, and made what it is by intermixture — by a frequent infusion of new blood which has combined in one people the best qualities of many races. It is calcu lated by a writer in the " Nineteenth Century" that one-fifth of the business firms of London are of German origin. The representatives of these are now for the [ most. part thoroughly English in thought and in terests, and the nation is a gainer by their presence. But English workers can certainly not gain anything; on the contrary, they lose very much by the migratory movements of foreign labourers competing with them for work in fields of employment where the struggle is already too severe, and the children of the soil are being driven away to foreign lands. Of course, the true lesson from all this is that we must improve our methods of training and social habits. In thesjg^t least we may learn something by example from foreigners. Germany has long been in advance of England educationally, and she is reaping the just reward of her enlightenment. If it be true, as the bulk of these circulars assert, thai the Englishman is a better worker than the foreigner, and that firms would prefer him if he were given a better technical train ing, the question of beating, out the competition of which he complains is a very simple problem, and one which ought not to wait long for solution.

ANNEXATION AND LAND TROUBLES.

In the House of Commons the other day, reference was made by speakers to the land troubles that had arisen at the Samoan and New Hebrides Islands. These allusions were made before news was received of the German proceed ings at Apia, which are clearly in tended as a step towards the annexa tion of the islands. If German juris diction should be established in Samoa, there will be witnessed the curious spectacle of a European Power annex ing territory more than half of which is the property of English and Ameri can subjects. One large block of land on the island of Upolu was lately the subject of extended and costly legislation in English courts, and al though the parties who gained the suit may thus have obtained a reliable title to the land, the same cannot be said of the other land claims, whether English, American, or German. In point of fact, the most of these are informal, and they overlap each other to a very considerable extent, so that the work of adjudicating upon them is likely to give rise to very great " trojible" indeed. But German courts are surely no less just than those of England, and as our courts in Fiji had to deal with multitudinous land claims by people of different nation alities at the time these islands were annexed, the same will take place at Samoa, whether under a German Pro tectorate or colonial rule.

The " missionary grievance " at the New Hebrides referred to in yesterday's cable message is illustrative of tha temporary hardships that are caused when the principles of settled govern ment are first applied to land transac tions with aborigines. The Presby, teriau mission at New Hebrides had acquired land near Havannah harbour from the natives—every precaution being taken to have the transaction in legal form and duly recorded, wit nessed, and attested. This land, which is now valued at ;£4,000, has been seized by French troops on the claim of the New Hebrides Trading Company that it is their pro perty. This claim rests upon an alleged purchase of the land for ,£lO by a Yankee captain in 1871, whose interests the New Hebrides Company are stated to have acquired. Mr McDonald, the missionary in charge of the station, made an appeal to the British Government on the subject, and also interested the Victorian Presby terians, but with no result so far be yond the keeping open of the question of the French occupation of the New Hebrides. Mr Julian Thomas (" The Vagabond"), who is accused of being no lover of missionaries, has lately visited the New Hebrides, and report-, ing on the matter, expresses the opinion that the Presbyterian Mis sion have an undoubted title to the land in question, and adds that "there cannot be the slightest doubt that the Rev. Mr McDonald has been grossly outraged and insulted."

It must be plain that the disputes in Samoa and the New Hebrides are not so much the result of foreign interfer ence as of the want of it. If there were full jurisdiction of any European court established, the rights of the different claimants would be imparti ally adjudicated upon, and after a little friction inseparable from the working of new machinery all would go smoothly, and the interests of colonists of all nationalities would be equally re spected. If France means to annex the New Hebrides, as some of her statesmen and newspapers persist in asserting, the sooner she does it the better it will be for all concerned. To prolong the debate is simply to increase the land trouble and to arouse feelings of bitterness which it will be difficult to allay when civil government shall have succeeded the rough military rule now established. The same is true of Samoa, where the Germans will do good service if they provide guarantees of good government, with equitable adjustment of land disputes and freedom of commerce for all nationalities.

We learn with pleasure that the Hon. Mr Tole shortly after the Hikutara find telegraphed to his colleague the Minister of Mines that in order to secure the proper working of the ground the areas to be allotted should be small, and recom mended, if the Minister of Mines can con trol the matter at all, that the areas should not exceed from five to seven acres—Mr Lanarch has replied to Mr Tole that he will so far as as he has power endeavour to carry out Mr Tole's recomendations.

Frederick Charles Sparkes was arrested yesterday by Sergeant Clarke on the charge of unlawfully deserting his wife at Patea. He will be remanded to that place.

The libel case Henderson (solicitor) v MacKenzie has been withdrawn almost at the last moment, after putting the defend ant to heavy preliminary costs.

At the fortnightly meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance Union on Wednesday, Mrs Dewar stated that some of the elder pupils' Bible reading classes in the public schools had to be given up for want of workers. A hope was expressed that the clergy would co-operate and give their services in this direction, an appeal having been made to them by Mrs Dewar, but without response.

Information was received from Welling ton yesterday that the services of the Devon port Navals had been accepted by the Defence Department, and also that Captain Hitchens (Waitemata Navals), Lieutenant Miller (Ponsonby Navals), and Lieutenant Radford (Thames Navals) had successfully passed the examinations.

Professor Thomas is to give another of his natural history " talks " at the Museum this evening. The subject selected is the "Natural History of the Domestic Animals." The " talk "is to commence at 8 o'clock, and will be fully illustrated with specimens, diagrams, etc.

The annual meeting of the Richmond Cricket Club takes place at the Newton Baths this evening.

An enterprising Yankee named Katgley, who has established a number of large skating rinks in Australian cities, is making preparations to extend his enterprise to Auckland, 'Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru, Wellington and Dunedin. He has purchased an allotment in Vivian-street, Wellington, on which a large hall is in course of erection, and''Columbia'Rinks," as they are to be called, will shortly be in full swing in each principal centre.

After we went to press yesterday, James McDonald and Edward Rogers were charged with taking oysters from Ponui Island, which is a closed ground within the meaning of the Act. McDonald was fined £10, arid Rogers, being only an employee, was fined £1. The Magistrate (Mr Baddeley) stated his intention of imposing full penalties in future.

The "heroes" of New Zealand are still claiming recognition. A Wellington tele gram states that war medals are being issi od to the following :—Daniel Cameron, private Taranaki Military Settlers ; David Tayj^*, private Wellington Rangers ; David Sole', private Taranaki Militia; Michael Moloney, private Hawke's Bay Volunteer Foi^ce; Wm. Delany, bugler, Ist Waikato Regiment; Taimona, constable No. 1 Division Armed Constabulary; JohnMackie, cOnstable'No. 5 Division Armed Constabu lary ; Frederick Warner, private Taranaki JNJilitary Settlers. I The returns of the movements of popula tion for the last month have nothing of a particularly striking character about them. Tbe figures are as follows :—Arrivals from United Kingdom, 578; Queensland, 3; Nsw South Wales, 228; Victoria, 203; Tasmania, 35; other places, 68; total 1,115. The departures were:—To United King dom, 122 ; Queensland, 25 ; New South "J^ales, 314 ; Victoria, 339; Tasmania, 19; othet places, l£l; total, 940. The arrivals at the principal pons were:—Auckland, 340 ; Wellington, 153 ; Nelson, 2; Hokitika, 4 ; Lyttelton, 1; Dunedin, 379 ; Invercar g'll, 236; total, 1,115. The departures were :■—Auckland, 318 ; Wellington, 199 ; N,apiery 1; Lyttelton, 61; Timaru, 1; Oamaru, 2 ; Invercargill, 358 ; total, 940. The net loss to the colony from the excess of emigration over immigration for the eight t.'i"%vi'Mi of this year has been 33.

A special meeting of the Institute of Architects was held at the President's office.on Monday last, when Mr Percy Holt tendered liis resignation as secretary (on account of his leaving Auckland for the Northern W.iiroa), which was accepted, W » vote of thanks accorded him for his past'L .v- 'r Mr Horace Hammond was « *ioi -acancy. '° Ska«.»«»» !,J"'?rvice was held last night*! 0 Church. Rev. Vy,^ 6 PleaßUft jded, and Miss Mal colm, iiiA. -for your ej^toiatbe address on She v' JIH ' i3do my^arth, Hell, 'ttfeit^f 1'" "Rei/T W . . Qe meeting to-night . of mwSm t%s wi"be t!>e lasb a *Mi ,f l .'*o North Shore. A very pro ■m.. \ tion with St.Ste'.V k Tu9l" rsazlone m connec took place in,ti;.rf *AAA '^sbyterianChurch ing. There was" T^j? HaU, lasteve,\" the Rev. D. W;'V'l^ -^tendance, and hall was nicely .V^— —\;>resided. ' The a beautiful arr.-i")V f ' ~ >Heature being foliage suiToundiV SP m\i flowers and Mr Johnson, nuri-^r ne™H executed by was an interesti,,.. t? v at \ '■■ iprogramme items were very vi'-AfA \* the various son gave two songs v 1 of meeUyMrs John very nicely. Mr . I ATTTrTr> ,Y another " How Hard it is to,.< f ' Alll^N\an sang Culpan gave " The \7 —land Mi- Mr G. Reed sang " I j j Vmith." Mr Boak recited "Toi., ELE yM and and " Jud Browning's u-. y, ISP ' stein's Pianoforte Playn: v : ' «ir ben was encored, and Mr Bo.^ORTH. m another interesting recituij- f tions were rendered by t,i V v 'eluding a collection of Sco r |, V-' Auckland. The pianoforte «...,* t j .V were played by Miss Main, f.f myself tot E terval refreshments were hau. Ll . , plentiful supply, and on thin" 1*4"0* to t: gathering proved to be a mT" ope. %. The weekly drill of the M? liv ' company of the Boys' Brigade j&MPSON, held this week on account of tho it engaged.

THE CALAMITOUS FIRE AT THE EXETER THEATRE.

Recollections of the Theatre by a Local Comedian.

Ma Lachlan McGowan favours us with the following communication apropos of the Theatre at Exeter, which ha 3 just been the scene of an appalling loss of life :—

The account of the burning down of the Theatre Royal, Exeter, England, which has come by cable, recalls to my memory, after a lapse of 26 years, the pleasantest days of my theatrical career, passed in that ancient city and its lovely surroundings. For one year and a-half I fulfilled the duties of stage manager and comedian at this theatre, and performed on its boaids my "last night" in the Old Country, leaving Exeter next morning, and embarking at Plymouth the same afternoon to return to Australia after a sojourn of four years in Great Britain, It was while at the Exeter Theatre I first had the pleasure of meeting with the great prima donna of that aj*e, Madame Glis6, that unequalled actress ot a century, Madame Celeste, Mr and Mrs Charles Kean ; thus forming with Mr and Mrs Kean a close friendship that subsisted up to their deaths. Were the stage nowadays possessed of such ladies and gentlemen of character as Mr and Mrs Charles Kean, what a noble and instructive profession it would be ! I may mention that the Keans were performing at Exeter at the time of the death of the Prince Consort. On. the morning the telegram arrived, the Company assembled on the stage, fully anticipating the theatre would be closed, which meant a loss to over one hundred employees. Mr Kean, taking a considerate view of the cir cumstance, and rather than the manage ment and such a host of dependents should suffer any loss, agreed to perform that evening though the whole of the London theatres closed. The London press were very severe on Mr Kean for this, he being a favourite at that time in conse quence of the Windsor Palace perform ances, of which the Keans always had the management by order of Her Majesty. Most singular, in looking over my file of old bills the other day for one of " GuyManner ing" with incidents, I came across one with the Exeter cast of that piece, August, 1860, wherein four of the persons taking part at that date have appeared before an Auckland audience.

Dick Hallerick (Mr W. H. Vernon), who was here with Genevieve Ward; Bailie Mucklethrift (Mr Hilton), who performed the old man in Marie de Grey's London Comedy Company ; and Flora and Dandie Dinnant (Mr and Mrs Lachlan McGowan).

PLAIN AND FANCY DRESS BALL.

The Foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road was the scene of a really enjoyable gathering on Wednesday evening last This was in the shape of a plain and fancy dress ball to wind up the series of soirees dansantes given during the season under the management of Mrs Wright. The hall was decorated in a most lavish manner for the occasion, mottoes and evergreens adorning the walls in every point of vantage. Running across the entrance to the main hall was the word " Welcome." Between 40 and 50 couples took part in the dancing, which was opened by a pro cessional march. The great majority of the ladies wore fancy costumes, many of them being of a rich and striking design, but evening dress predominated among the gentlemen. The most noticeable dresses worn by the ladies were those of " German Huntress," " America," " Span galette," " The Gipsy Queen," " Monte arlo," " Ducky Darling;" " Serpblette," "Marguerite," "Shepherdess," "Nancy Lee," "Dolly Varden," " French Gipsy Girl," and the " Aesthetic Maiden." During an adjournment tb the refreshment room, Mr W. H„ Webbe, in an informal way, expressed on behalf of the members of the class his satisfaction at the success of the gathering, and he thought both Mr and Mrs Wright were deserving of their best thanks. Mr Wright suitably responded. The committee who assisted to bring the ball to a successful issue consisted of the Misses H. and F. Wadham, Odium, Fowles, Nogens, and Lardner, and Messrs Edmonds, Digging, Greaves, Stevenson, and Roth. During the evening songs were tastefully rendered by Mrs Wright and Messrs Edmonds and Edwards, and an excellent night's enjoyment was brought to a conclusion shortly before four o'clock. MrG. H. Greaves made acourteous Master of Ceremonies, and the refreshments, which were of the very best description, were served up in superior style by Mr Johnston, of Newton. Adams Bros, sup plied the dance music, and gave the greatest satisfaction. The programme of dances was as follows:— Proces sional march and quadrille, "Alpine Flower;" waltz, " Elite;" schottische, " Marguette ;" waltz, " Christmas Rose ;" lancers, "Rip Van Winkle;" waltz, " L'Amour Immortel ;" surprise; waltz, "Joys of Life;" lancers, " French Lancers;" d'Alherts, " Old Colonial;" extras; waltz, "Tres Jolie;" lancers," Patience;" H. schottische, " Mary Stuart;" quadrille, " Cloches dcs Corneville;" waltz, " Moon light Shadows ;" schottische, " Favourite ;" waltz, "La Princesse;" mazurka, " Doul ton ;" d'Alberts, " Fancy Fair;" waltz and galopade, *' First Extra."

ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Invekcakgill, Thursday. A deliberate attempt was made last night to destroy a house in Earn-street, occupied by Mr J. Ferguson, telegraphist. Mr Ferguson being on night duty, his wife went out to pass the night with friends, leaving home a little after seven o'clock. Three hours after two young men saw a glare of fire through the kitchen windows, and made their way to the house. They found the back door open, the lock bolt gjrtK'itj and the kitchen walls and ceiling bunJ&M?' The fire -sVas put out, and they then fb'*3 n(* *^.c kitchen gas bracket had been ili^ted arid turried back against the wall, so* aß. to the wall paper and lining, while H inthe bedroom the fixed bracket had beeii n, cl the gas lighted where^-the fractured pipe' cams' ■ through the wall. Mr Ferguson had no insurance on his furniture, and suffers a loss of about £4.

AN OLD MAN'S STRANGE FREAK.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Wellington, this day Strange fatality on the part of an old man has caused some concern to the authorities. The person in question occupies a house in one of the main streets of the city, and \ ppears to be in a very weak and debilitated •j_i ndition, yet he has locked himself in his Tin and refuses to allow any lady to at- M A upori him or to secure the services ot 'Judical man. Messrs Warded and Jo™- V-ys chairman and secretary to w»e _\^^\ Institution, have interested Bakery, fc.- n £ he matter, and have per- Wer the hospital lfst serious "-ould insuo frog* tha m hak. V

THE GERMAN INVASION OF SAMOA.

There is l ifcfcle count of the German des<2 '^ which was Published i„ o^;^ day. AfterourreporterJri bed, the United S ES^^ land, yesterday, the lZ *****»■ ceiyed his SaSoS fe^*^ statement of the stirrin?! ? nta3e. lately been transpE^ jSi Islands, and also copies of S. -Na%« proclamations. Th PS*»W the accuracy of ' aes Patdies feS CampbeUhJnooffierj*^, Conference that met.at Shft and it is evident from t ft gtoßl% hand from Samoa that neK^^ can nor British Consuls 2 *"* any alteration in the iSt I****°** On receiving the ne?X»< Campbe 1 at once cabled anl?^ Mt transactions to his (W. accoi "it of tha authorities at wi^ent. .[J fully aware of the turn whU' theteS London to show that the Pn.r ?*»' *<* ment take any interest! £**>» As the probable establish JT%* pean protectorates o?er &* °fE^ Wn groups of kSnJ B to4o^ pubhc interest in these countriS?^ pend some particulars of the t l °*' named. . V lw° group)

Samoa or Navigator € r b BnL The islands of Samoa are fll?. number, and cover a.total J^ square miles. They lie ahn„ Ask of the northward ol^^M^t! distance from A^ t fe Only nine of the island are inkL t remaining five beinginsignifiiXS49 fittosupportpopulation. ConSS'^? elsewhere m the Pacific rt>« 7~Jm^m tion of Samoa is Sev^tbe'K 5- 4 In 1872 it was estimated at w?' 33,000 and 34,000, . wM^. *Jft* are believed to be 35,000 ng^ islands. The population of thelw? T includes the fo&gf 0 r c l c ! f?s 160; Germans, lip MB&fift Polynesians, 700; .Chinese, 24• E ca»A, 12. The' European '&fe nearly all concentrated ffi Apia and Fasetootai,- while ?f h * ported labourers and .Chines* Z 7 on flatter. island. fe^S nominally Chmtians, 27,000 being eH as adherents of the London ChurchiS 4,000 as Wesleyans, and 4,<K b2 Catholics The only indusffp^T the men is the collection of copra, oran J and bananas, while the women are 3 industrious in their household duties 2 in the manufacture of tapa (native clotM a?., mats, which constitute the wealth of the Samoans. In 1884, Samoa'exportel produce to the value of £79456 oi which copra represented £69,076 and cofa £8480. In the same year, England andUj colonies did an export and import trade with Samoa to the extentof £62,000,' the exports predominating to the-extent of £200 ft Germany's trade, was: £60,000, of wliici £45,456 consisted of goods exported from tl» islands. The amount of capital invested^ the different nationalities in Samoa ia not known, but the debts registered ab Apia are as under—British, £25,859; German, £58,000; American (estimated), £8,000,'

German Hostility to Malietoa. THE DANGERS OF THE SITUATION,

Mr.T. L. Kelly, in his pamphlet on tin , South Sea Islands published in 1886, sin: • " The Government of Samoa is; mm stable nor well, defined. The native mi, , under the reigning monarch, Mite I Laiipepa, is merely nominal, S9 fas-Ufa . protection of life and property is concerned; . but the chiefs exercise | considerable . authority over the people, and own a ant of allegiance to Malietoa. How wavering and uncertain this allegiance.is nay be • inferred from the fact that at the present • time the vice-king,Tamasese, is in.open. rebellion against the kings-authority and with 500 or 600 armed followers is ia tie field within ten miles of Apia, which ton is under constant menace of attack. At Apia- there is a European population ofonly 250, and there also': are the:most (if to stores and business places, so that therei , real danger to be apprehended; for though the great majority of the, natives profess loyalty to Malietoa,. it is hard to say hof they would act if Tamasese and his m commenced the work of blood, and showed the example of indiscriminate plundering. The danger is believed to be diminishing, but should a German j war-ship b the meantime enter the harbour * is feared that the rebels ;.W» make an immediate descent upon -u» town, in the hope of receiving mam from Germany. The English and And ean residents assert that; Germany BU citing the rebellion, in order to obto pretext for annexing the country; and*u pointed out, as something mqrettaM^ incidence, that on the very day tijatgj sese took the field the fo^jfej Gerniany was hoistedo'n theso-o*!»» Mulinuu Point, where ****»*s. allowed to fly, in spite of tojWjW J Consul's action has been repudiated Jj to German Government. o £**£%£ acting, I believe, on the> atfg. of « British Consul and itev.fr Jhg,» shown great forbearance wtotaj* the rebels ihe has.not W \*»*» arms to, maintain,his aujonty, W not even deposed Ta^JJ^ffj, tion of vice-king. °Vt^S* exhausting every concilia^ gS* is using all his influence, wd^ m fully, to prevent his subjecteirom^ ing the rebels or haulin^ojn^ hated German flag. >* e«« J^ commerce, it is veiy rauc& n ro me nt that an effective Eurpp^^;; Cw . should bo established inßw». «v crib . man rule (which tradß««»g te . ing as the worst P°f lbleJ "^ J&* able to the present condition « Tonga, or Friencuy^ The Tongan Group, wig* j> d tothenorth-e^ofAucg- d nearly 150 pwtf whic/arepart^^^iEg coral. origm. These are tebo) W minor groups, pai and Vavau. The J aj It Nukualofa, f*«S i**<* ■?, safe harbour, a str uction, %f ported age... There is a com*. 0 f the J cipal government MJ^ i/the group is « K in 1883, *^ b! e, 800 square miles, »£?. eicß were av*"*^ latest for UeTt> the import and « is amount,^ total of %200,000. SonieS^Rjrt., with England and^« ffM for ig 1,, £96,000, of which .fiWJJ the l^ n> SSOOO for exO^Bf?2t> coin.. Thegu^otmj^ W

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, FRIDAY; SEPTEMBER 9, 1887.

4



BRETT'S Auckland Almanac and PROVINCIAL HANDBOOK FOR 1888. The aim of this work is to describe in an inter esting manner tho Vast Resources, the Climate ( tho Scenery of the Auckland Provincial Dis trict ; its Mountains, Harbours. Kivers, and Lakes; its Forests and its Plains: its Cul tivated and Waste Lands, and to show Foreigu Capitalists that our Genial Clime, Rich Lands and Mineral Products, and Intelligent, Go-a! head People offer inducements to intending investors or settlers superior to those of any other part of the world. Other colonial handbooks have largely mis represented this naturally rich and beautiful province, while the pages of the above work are devoted entirely to setting forth Auckland's capabilities and its many superior advantages in addition to which the fullest information is afforded of all Political, Social, and Religious mutters of Provincial cr Colonial importance. As each year the contents are re-wrilten, and the statistical information brought up to th e latest date, the Annual Volume becomes a valu able Work of Reference worthy of a permanent place in every Colonist's library, Thi3 valuable publication being designed to further the prosperity of Auckland, the price charged is merely nominal. As the Book has now become a work of daily reference in thchome of every settler throughout the province, and is in use in a'l public offices in the colony and in many leading places abroad, it may with confidence be described as the best permanent Medium of Advertising of fered to business men. The work will be issued at the old price — ONE SHILLING. SECRETARIES of MASONIC LODGES FRIENDLY SOCIETIES, TRADE, M ERCAN TILE, SPOUT, MUSICAL, and OTHER SOCIETIES are repuested to forward to THIS OFFICE, addressed "EDITOR BRETT'S ALMANAC." the information necessary for the compilation of the Directory attached to the Almanac. The publisher is desirous of going to press earlier than usual. ■ Tradesmen and others desirous of inserting their business notices wil] therefore oblige by forwarding their adver tisements without delay. OPPOSITE THE TOWN CLOCK. New Season's Tennis Racqdets Tennis Balls, &c. (j R 1 C X E T \V A RE Croquet All Gtames AT KELSEY'S, OPPOSITE THE TOWN CLOCK. THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF THE MAORI, HIS MYTHOLOGY AND TRADITIONS," BY JOHN WHITE. DEMY 8vo„ CLOTH, ILLUSTRATED. Prick. 7s 6d ; or, Frke by Post, 8s 6d. To be had of all Booksel'ers,' and of the Proprietors. LYON &BLATR. Lambton Quay, Wellington. Also, just published, Crown Bvo., cloth, Con tributions towards a BIBLIOGRAPHY OF NEW ZEALAND, Collected and annotated BY JAMES D. DAVIS. Price, 2s 6d ; or, Frke by Post, 3s. TIOT LAKES DISTRICT. THE WONDERLAND OF NEW ZEALAND. THE SCENES OF THE LATE VOLCANIC ERUPTION. AUCKLAND to ROTORUA, ROTOMAHANA, TAUPO, TAURANGA, AND BACK. Full and reliable information as to route, cost, etc., supplied. Through tickets can be issued at an exceedingly low rate. Auckland Booking Office : . H. F. WAY, AgentforMcßae'sPalaceHotel, also Robertson's Coaches from Oxford to Rotorua, Ehrenfried's Buildings (Next Northern S.S. Co.), Lower Queen-street. THE "MELBOURNE AGE." Circula tion. 68.000 daily. The largest Commercial, Advertising, and General Newspaper in the Colonies. Price, Id ;6s Gd per quarter. The " LEADER, 43 pages. The best Farm ing, Agricultural, and General Weekly News paper. Price, 6d :6s 6d per quarter. The "ILLUSTRATED AUSTRALIAN NEWS" (New Zealand Edition). The leading Monthly Illustrated Newspaper. Single num bers Cd • double numbers, with coloured plate, Is. Aeents: Messrs Kidd and Wildman, Upton and Co., and E. Wayte, Auckland; and all News Agents. Post free,



THE Great Wall of China was built to keep out the Tartars;, Julius Agricola built a rampart in Great Britain to keep out tho Wets and Scots. How many men were em ployed, and how long? Who can tell? But GEOKGE RAYNES can tell how long it took the Parnell Borough Council to make the cause way in Manakau Road, number ot men em- SSyed? and now GEOKGE RAYNES wants to see Tartars. Chinese, Picts. and Scots, and all others to see his Beef, Mutton, Lamb, Pork, Venison, and Poultry. A UCKLAND MINING ASSOCIATION NEW SYSTEM OF WORKING THE GOLDFIELDS. The Publio of Auckland desirous of engaging in Goldfleld Operations on the Non-liability system, now so popular in Australia, are in vited to TAKE SHARES in the above As sociation. SHARES, £12 EACH. Payable £1 Monthly. Experienced Miners employed at £1 per week with a Share in the Profits after wages and expenses have been deducted. Full particulars as to the Management and Method of Working on application to J. H. WITHEFORD, Shortland-street. THE THAMES COUNTY COUNCIL Have deposited at Mr J. H. WITHEFORD'S OFFICE, Shortland-street, A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF THE THAMES GOLDFIELDS, Together with particulars of liberal concessions the Council have decided to make, with a view to encourage the introduction of English capital. Mr Witheford, having been identified with the Auckland Goldflelds since their first open ing, and having for some timo past been collect ing mining information for English clients, is in a position to advise any representative of Home buyers who may bo in Auckland as to the merits of the various eligible Goldfleld Properties. PLANS. REPORTS, AND THE FULLEST RELIABLE INFORMATION OB 1 ANY MIN ING PROPERTY may be obtained on applica tion at bis office. REMEMBER, if you leave your order at J. H. Dalton's for a Suit, you get a choice of three things—an Extra Pair of Trousers. Waterbury Watch, or 10 per cent. Prico 50s, 60s. 70s. WHEN your physician orders you Schnapps ho moans Wolfe'b Schnapps, as it is the only genuine brandy TyTslS A~S ~ES OF WOMEN. Dr. COBBETT is prepared to receive Resident Patients. A thoroughly-trained Hospital Nurse is resident. For further information apply to Dr. C. N. COBBETT. Lower Symonds-street (Near Choral Hall), Auckland. ¥. WINDSOR, • SURGEON DENTIST (by exam.) (Late of the Firm of Kempt and Windsor.) I beg to intimate to the public of Auckland and Provincial District that I continue in prac tice at the Old Chambers, Shortland-street (opposite Post Office.) Having secured the ser vices of a first-class Mechanical Assistant, and reduced my charges, I hope to merit a share of their support. Box 210, P.O.] [Telephone 377.