COMING EVENTS.

BeeHnos. *0.. tttttlcU. Auckland Club—Meeting of Members, 4. Freemasons Hal!— Provincial Grand Lodge of

Marl: Master Masons, S PoasonbyHall-Ponsonby Select Quadrille As sembly, 8. Freemasons' Hall-Unioji Lodge of Mark Master

Maeons, 7.30. Bnligioas Ueetin? In the Tent on Surrey Hills Eitate, Ponsonby Hoa-), 7.50.

Rota of Justices at Follco Court, February 9-J. P. King and G. S. Kissllng.

Auction Solos To-morrow. G. Lewis-Wines, gpirita. Cigars, etc., 11. Arthur and Buddie-Properties, etc., Ii a. Sibbia, Mt. Kden Railway Station-Timber,

etc., 11. Uesketh. Ai'.kOD, and Co Household Furni

turo. etc., 1. F. J. JonoE-Piano, Furniture, eta, 10.30 ».m, W. Girretc—Fruit, Produce, £c, 10.

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

Mails will close as undeb :—

Tina DAT. For Gisborno at d Nnpicr, por Aus'ralia' at 5 p.m. For Wsntrarol Heads. Parna. WaIDU, Whan- RaroL Kamo, ana Mangupal, per Wellington, For Timtuiw, par ICotuku. at 5.30 p.m. Wkdnesdav, Bth inst. For Coromnndel. per Coromandel. at 11.30 a-m. *"or New Plymouth and Southern ports, por Oroti, nt 1 p.ra. For Katikati, Aongatcte. Taurangtt. and OpotiKi, etc., via lharncs, per Uotoiuuhana, at 2 p.m. Ifor Tnaaiea, per Kotomahann, at 2.30 p.m. For Levuks, per JtfßKull&n Oloiid, at 2 p.m. For Oisborne, p?r Knhu. at I p.m. for MansTHWiti, Hakaru, and Kaiwaka, per Kauy, at 5 p.m. Thuusday, 10th Inst. For Port Wltsroy, Tryphona, ana Okupu, por lona, atT a.m. Far Waiweru, Te Kapa. and Warkworth, per Roso Casey, at 10 n m. For Glaborne, Napier, and Southern ports, por Por Manapourl na follows :— For China. JaDan. Suoz, and Continont of Burope, st 3 p.m. For Kuisoll, KawaKawa. Australian Colo n*os v and United Kingdom via Brindisi or Nflplcd (por Orient st6amer). for letters, etc, specially 80 prepaid and addressed, at 4 pan. For' mairoy orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 3 p.m. Lite fatuirs for Sydney and Melbourne only at i Mp.m. Hall will be duo at Lonion on I9ch March. (Siglied) S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

TJnlof Poat-ofUoe, A&;k!and,

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Sunset.—This evening, 7-2. Siinrisk — To-morrow morning, 5.2 1. MnoN's Aa«.—Full moan, Bth, 9.53 p.m.

HIGH WATER.

AvcirtAND-This eveniog, 716; to-morrow moraine. 7.! iii.

Mahukau Heads—This ovtning, 9.56; to murrow njornlng, 10.16. Kaipara Heads This evening, 10 56; to morrow nisrning, H.IU.

STEAMERS TO ARRIVE.

Wellington, from Whangarei, Thursday night Hotomahana, from Thames, Wednesday, 030

p.m. Enterprise, from Thnnios. niidnipht Ooromundol. from CoromAndel. to day, o I 1 ni, lona, from Mercury Hay. Thursday Clansman, rr;-m Russell. Friday, early Mararoa. from Sydney. Wednesday, early Jvianaoouri, from South, Wodncfday J>>not Nicoll, from Tonsa, oa Saturday Tainui. from London, on Sunday litispchu, Jrota London, via South, March 6

ARRIVALS.

LAST KVSSISQ,

Mnile, echr.. Lane, from Tooca Olire. sohr. Watt, from Norfolk I, Ohau, s 8., Berncch, from south

TO-DAT. N'-lwn. H.M.S. fliesbip. from Russell WelUagton, s c , Stcnh'jnson, from VVhangoroi

DEPARTURES.

Clansman, R p.- Karqahar, for Russell Joaft. U.S.. Ainodoo. for Mercury Bity CatlmsCora, s.y , Cowpor, for (Jpotiki

TO-DAT. Cas3»n«lra, barqao, for Lyttolton

IMPORTS.

PesMallo-77 bales wool. 107 boles fungus, 17 eacks maize. 13 biles cottoo.

Per Olive: fij hides, ISO bunchsa bananas, IS bali-s wool, 107 bigs kumeras. 1 ton ditto, 14 packaees eumlrles.

Pjr Ohau: 325 sacks flonr; ICO boxes candles; -155 sack* oat-i: 075 naoka whrvu; 180 sacks meal; 1157 stoKa bran; V 0 blocks stone, and Bundneß,

Inwakds Coastwise.—Violnt, from Thames ; Kntn. from Port »;har)^s; Nnruh. from Kennedy Bay ; Paku and Waipu, from Talrua; Progress, from Manpiwul.

ODTWABD3 Coastwise. — Rob Roy, from Mattta.

Tho is. Kahn ctb on tho hard at Freeman's Biy to-day for cleaning.

Tho barquo Algoa Boy was berthed at Queen stroat Wharl at 0 p.m. ytßtorday.

The barouo Cos'Rndra palled for Lyttel'rn to-duy with pun of her orixuiul cargo cf Bait, Bhippcd at aharyneEa.

The s s. Ohau arrivod from Dunedin and i»ter mediate porta lute Inst mwtit. PasaonKßra :— Saloon: Mbmm Wood, Brown, MuLecnon, Steerogo: Mr Kller. Master James.

The echooncr O iva arrived from Norfolk li'lund and Noumea laftfiveniDg. She left Nor folk Island on the 2nd in»t. und experioocea light N.K. aad N.W. winds during the voyasjo. Pa!S3nger«: Messrs otto, W. Qulotal, Christian, Mrs M. Quintii.l, Mietcs Bnffett, Nobbs 12), Flnlay.

Tho B.s. Wellington arrived from Wfianearei early this morning with toe following passen gers :-ealoon: MessrsUando.Gwelt, ormande, MoCullough, Bsdlafce, Notr, Worbovs, Highlpy, Boose. Nolan, Watts, Bloomfleld. Brookn. McLean, Clendon, Glandfleld. Rev. Father Mahonsy, Mesdames MoCallonKh. McKenzio, Watts, Brooker, Pooley, Miwes Roose, Clendon, Taylor. Ross, Hay. White, Battey, and sin the steerage.

The three-masted stfhooner Mails arrived from South Sen Islands last evening. She left Apia oa January Gth. called at Vavau. Haabai, Tonaatabu. &c., and left the last-named place en the 21th January. Proceeded to Kna for ■wool.and Billed again on the 26tn. Had etroog Eontherly winds for the flrstfew days, then light B. wind, hauling to N. and W., with thick ■weaiksr and rain on making the Auckland coast. Passenger?: Captain and Mrs Moller, Mrs Zay, Moesrs New, Berkett, and Wright.

ARRIVAL OF H.M.S. NELSON.

H M.3. Ne!so». thß flagship of the Australian Btation. -which has twice orevlonsly vi.-ited this port arrived here at 9 this morning from Bussell. where aho hus been (or thepast week coaling and exercising her crew. Tho Nol&on dropped anenor at ihe man o'-war ground. Her lltt of officers is ea follows Admiral, George Tryon. G.B ; Flag Lieu tenant, William O. Pokenham; Secretary. Charles J. Pawsey; Clerks to Secretary. Alfred K. Bourchier ami Maurice (r. F. B. BanwloK; Captains, Atwoll ana P M. Lake; Commander, Webani De* V. Hamilton: Lieutenants, James It. BrondJey. Harry O. Keycolds. Charles H. Billy, Charles L. Ottley, vvilford F. Forrest, Heibert J. Gedge. William H. Arnold. H?r hert Powley ; Staff Commander, James R. W. Qainu : Major Mar. Art., John L. C. RobilMard WeutJUar.,Cyril Field; Cnaplain and Naval In etrucior, Rsv. Alexiuder NJoollo, 8.A.; Fleet Sureoon Ktchird vp. Copplnger, M.D.; Fleet Paymasier, Frederick Norm; Fleet Engineer. O-orge Boyd ; Sub-l.ieut. Frederick S. Rogers ; Surgeon*. Kobort A Simoson. M.8., and Francis J. Lee; Assistant Paymaster. Albert. V. SooUard; Engineers, James C. Larsr, George- T tilmmons Jamea Armstrong; ABBiaUint Engineers, Hugh K. H»arson and Lewis K. Thnmwood; Qunne'H, John Fasnam, Harry Uover Thomas Head, and Jas. G. Oat; Boat gwain, James K. Pigott; Carpenter. Anthony Allen ; MldsniDmen. Constantino H. Hughes- Onslow. Edward D. OgUvie, Chas. F. Corbett. Henry <&. «. Bandenian, Vivian H. G. Bernard, H»gh B. Tilly, Krnest K. D Clarke. Arthur L. Cary, Ticior G. Burner; Clerk, pharies F. Pollard. The followiwt offlcera are borne as additional for Tarioua services :- Staff Ccmandero—Jamea K. Cgglan and Fred. W. Jarrard. Naval nontenant, Herbert J. Dockrell (tor survoyiDS1 dntief). Fleet pay master—Bdwa-d A. Amphlett (In charge of nival, victualling, ani medical stores at Brdney). Gunner—Thomaß Larklne (in charge ol ordnance stores at Bydnej).

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ABEIVALe. Botoraa. n.e,, Neville, from tho South

Tho b.s. Rotonia left Wellioßtoa at a 30 a.m. on the 7'h. pissed Cipe Kurmonk at i p m., entocil the Keada at 530 a.m , and arrived alongside the wharf f-t 7.15 a.m. Had lUht aoutnerly winds with flne weatker and smooth sea. Passengers: Mssdames Cruwahaw. Mc y&xn and child, ivlr and Mrs Wright, Mr and Mrs Htskßih, Mr and Mrs Richard.on. two children aad nurso. Or. U. Haineß. Mcesrs HutchlnßOD. Moss. Pleydoll. and ill eteerage.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

BLUFF, thin day.—Tho o.a. Tarawpt/i arrived at 3 a in. from Melbourne, and Ho*>irt. Saloon passengers for Auckland: l)r V. ■' laid. Meß -s'iuiou MnDonnlri and Ni'weonibj, iiujsra Lyon, MoDonald, and Newcombe.

Russell, thiß day.-Arrived: Clan*man, 6.30 am.

Waitara, this day.—Arrived : Ga.rlook, 6.25 am.

WELT.iNaTON. February 7.-Sailed: Hauroto, for Bydnoy, 7.40 p m.

Deaths.

ijBRQtJSON.—On February 7.1887, at Karaka 'stree't, Newton, Margaret (Mew) Kemp, tho elder and beloved daughter of Thomas and Kmlly J. Ferguson ; aged S years and 10 months.

Interment private,

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

For the cauie that lack* asji«Une«, for tin wrong that needi resiatance, For tho future in th« distance, ' And the good that we can do.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1887.

Both our correspondents at Tonga who send narratives of the attempted assas sination of the Eev. Shirley Baker, Premier of the Kingdom, appear to think that, although a band of escaped convicts are believed to be the actual perpetrators, the deed had its origin in the religious strife and bitterness which prevail in that group. One correspon dent declares that the act was intended to be bfie signal of an insurrection among the Wesleyans, which proved abortive; the other is of opinion that the root of the matter lies in the Go vernment persecutions and exactions ■which have driven the natives to'distrac tion. All communications from Tonga are marked, like the local politics and religion, with a spirit of estreme par tizanship, and it is difficult, therefore,'

to get a faithful and dispassionate im pression of the real condition of affairs. The facts of the outrage, however, are simple enough, and the first feeling produced by them is one of intense admiration for the courage and devotion of Mr Baker's son Shirley and daughter Beatrice in interposing their own bodies between their father and the pointed weapons of his would-be murderers. "We have rarely read anything more touch ing than this manifestation of filial devotion—two children spontaneously looking death straight in the face, and offering themselves as a sacrifice, if : need be, to save their parent. Not on impulse only was this done, but when themselves severely wounded, perhaps fatally or permanently injured, they en treated him to drivo away and escape the death which menaced them all. The earnest prayer of everyone will, we feel sure, be for the recovery of these two devoted children, whose heroic behaviour is the one bright spot in this shocking scene. The outrage is one which Mr Baker's bitterest opponents—and he has many in Tonga and beyond its borders—can not for a moment extenuate or palliate. The instruments chosen for the- deed, if the act was not one of personal revenge merely, were, it is supposed, men who had escaped from gaol, and tho crime was altogether of a dastardly character, not Mr Baker's life only, but those of three of his children being jeopardised. Nevertheless, it is not very extraordi nary that when the intense hatreds of a race recently reclaimed from bar barism aro aroused, an outrage of this kind should have occurred. It would be futile for us to enter now into the merits of the struggle which has arisen between tho Wesleyan Church and the Government of Tonga under King George and his Premier. This controversy has filled volumes, and might fill volumes more. The AYes leyan Church itself appears far from unanimous about it, tho Australian Conference siding with Mr Moulton, and the New Zealand leaning towards Mr Baker. There have doubtless been errors committed on both sides. Neither has been judicious or moderate or tem perate in its attitude. Whoever heard of a religious struggle, directed by clerics, that was conducted with moderation 1 The establishment of an organised system of government, involving heavy taxes, in a com munity that had previously been perfectly free and where the habits of the population necessitated direct taxation was also no easy matter. The Government of Fiji have discovered that Those who lay stress upon Mr Baker's faults and failures must, in justice, give weight to his great difficulties. He has, we believe, striven honestly, according to his judgment, to give the Tongans good government, and it will ever stand to his credit that he preserved the land for the people. Not an acre of land in the Group has been permanently alienated from the inhabitants. To that fact alone not a few of tko enmi ties are perhaps due. He has also saved Tonga from the intor-tribs.l wars and foreign intrigues which have racked Samoa. His Government, how ever, aimed at being too paternal. A race accustomed to be ruled by chiefs might have submitted to no other. None the less a paternal Go vernment becomes personal, and Mi- Baker thus concentrates on his own person not only his own mistakes, but all the acts of the native Government and its officials. Every criminal con demned by the Tongan Courts probably cherishes a personal griev ance against the representative of the governing power. The wonder there fore is not that Mr Baker was shot at now but that he was never attacked before. Looked at every way the situation is a deplorable one, and we can only hope that measures of panic or that the intensified feelings of party hate among the natives will not load to consequences even more disastrous than those which have already hap pened.

The Representation Question.

It is becoming every day more evident that the Premier and the leader of the Opposition are bent upon making a trip together to London, ostensibly to represent this colony at the forthcoming Imperial Conference. For such a duty no two better or more thoroughly representative men could be found, but we object to the country being deprived of their services at a critical time for a service of comparatively little moment. More especially do we protest against their departure because it appears to be a part of the plan to drop the Representation Bill, and let the next general election be fought out by the old constituencies. How Sir°.luliu3 Vogel and the South Island squatocnvcy will chuckle if this little pro gramme is carried out! The people of anterbury and Otago have made fair pro fessions of their anxiety to see justice done to the North Island in the matter tif repre sentation, but whenever an opportunity has occurred of thwarting that act of common fairae.se and political honesty, they have eagerly seized it. The Imperial Conference is the latest pretext upon which it is proposed to delay the redistribution of seats on the popu'ation basis, and it surprises us beyond measure to find a Wellington paper calmly contemplating the carrying out of the nefarious project. The extract which we publish from this morning's Wel lington "Times" on the subject is so extra ordinary that we imagine the patient resig nation of oar contemporary n»ust be based upon special knowledge of the determina tion of Ministers to commit this flagrant wrong and perjure themselves in the face of the constituencies. Still, we refuse lo believe that Sir Robert Stout has lent himself to such an act of political in famy ; and if he has it is impossible ihat Major Atkinson can consent to t. If the dropping of the Kepresenta tive Bill be a necessary consequence of the trip to London, it is Major Atkinson's clear duty to deny the invitation, and resist the tempting bribe of a seat in the Cabinet for one of his leading supporters. Unless he withes to be convicted of the basest trea son to hiß party and his pledges, he will insist upon the most substantial guarantees being given for the pushing through of the Representation Bill early in the enswing obtained he will remain at the post of duty and leave someone with less backbone to act the "distinguished colonist" in Lon don.

The upual Harvest Festival at St. Peter's, Lake Takapuna, will be held to-night. Messrs Davis Bros, will run coaches, loaving Devonport on the arrival of tho 630 ateamerfrom Auckland. Return fare Is Gd. The Key. J. t>. Hill and several olo'iiymen from Auckland will be present.

About 11 o'clock thii morning a borpe attached to a spring tr»p ran away in Hobson-st Itdasnedrapidlydownthostreet, and collided with the verandah in front of Mr H. Palmer's buthera f-hop. The first post was carried clean away, but the second tipped up the vehicle. Ita occupants, father and son, were thrown violently on to the pavement, and received some nasty cuts on the face. Dr. Walker, who happsned to ho passing at the time, sewed up the wounds of the two men.

A report was current in town thia afternoon that five houses had been destroyed by fire at Melro.°e On telephoning to Davonport, we ascertained that there was no ground for the report. There has, however, been a large fire of goree at Hastings, which ■obscure? the whole district.

, An open-air meetinp of unemployed and others was held at the reclamation, near the Waverley Hotel, last evening, for the purpose of listening to an address by Mr M. Steed on "Village Settlements."

He advocated a scheme similar to that carried out by the Government. A further meeting will be held at the Temperance Hall to-morrow evening.

The Shamrock Hotol atill remains shut up, and it. is not the intention of Mr Sec combo to make any attack today. A con sultation of the forces will tak>i place at 3 o'clock thia afternoon, when, no doubt, more definito action will bo decided upon.

A epocial meeting of tho Dovonport Borough Council was hold last evening to consider tendora for the sinking of a well at the Willows. Only ono tender was ro ceivod, and that not being satisfactory, tho Council decidod to instruct its engineer to hiro an engine and pump of not loss th.-vi six inches in diameter, and to put the fore man of worlts upon tho finking of the pre iont well an additional -Hit.

During tho night tho slido at tho PooßOn by reservoir has made considerable progress The foot of the ombanktnont has advanced aa much (hat the base has begun to fall outward in several places. Yesterday most of tho members of tho City Council visitod tho place, tho general opinion being that further patching would be mso less. Probably, however, tho engineer will tabulato a scheme for finking down to the eandetone formation uud building up a eolicl strueturo.

Mr F. Nutter has been appointod Mana ger of tho Standard Insurance Com puny, Auckland. Mr Nutter i« a gentleman well known a:id rofpectt'd in the city, and has boon local manager of tlio Manchester ln euratico Company siucu its plart in Auck land.

Tho plaintiff waa nonsuited in tho ca.^o of D. Braygtmw v. James Dunning (claim £25 12s), which was heard nt tho K.M. Court yesterday, beforo Mr Soth Smith, R.M. Mr B. Cooper appeared for tho plaintilV, and Mr A. Whitnkor for tho de fendant,

A tiro was discovered in an incipient stago at 5 o'clock yesterday morning by Mr William llodgvon in his premises at tho cornor of Alpha Road and Cracroft-.strcot, just opposite the Farncll Borough Council offices. Mr Hodgson leases hia promisor from tho Grammar School Trust Board. Upon awakening ho discovered smoke in tho room. Ho immediately got up, and traced tho firo to tho lining of a back bed room in which his young eons wore sleep ing. Ho quickly applied buckets 'of water, at tho tamo time tending ono of his sons tv rin-j; tho alarm from tho lirebell, which is clu^o to his rosi denco. Tint brought out tho membors of tho Parnell Firo Brigade, and al.-o a number of neighbours. Some of tho boards wore removoci, and a fow buckets of water rood onded tho trouble. Tho furniture was in sured for £200 in tho Union Company. Owing to tho prompt action of Mr Hodgson, only about .tv worth of d.imago resulted. Thoro is something mysterious about the origin of the tiro. An examination uhowetl that it started underneath tho Itoor about two and a-half feet from the ground. On tho wall plate were evident traced of a sperm candle, but. no explanation is forthcoming as to how it got there.

A man named John f'ickott-, a store lcocpor, residing at Otahulm, was driving along Pitt-atreoi this morning, accompanied by his son, when th* hat'to bolted and tho cart collided with tho verandah in front of Mr I'ulmor'H btitchcr'a shop. Two posts of tho vcirawinh wore car ried away, t!io vohiclo, a spring cart, was upset, and Mr I'ickou sustained a nasty cut over tlxj eyo. Tiio lad also received sundry bruiwa, l>i. Walker, who was passing, attended Mr I'ickcot's injuries.

Many pooplo in Aucklnnd will bo pleased to loam that tho Kov. .). i". Diuknon, latoof St. David'« frosbytorian Church, Symonda utreor, ha« been very fortunate in S;m l'"rnn clflCo, whither he went from this city. 110 had within a short time after his arrival calls to throo ditleront Presbyterian Cburchox, and ho has written to friends hero statins that ho has accepted tho pastorale of the Presbyterian Xabornncla at tho salary of throe thousand dollar.-) a year. The Taber nacle ia ono of tho Illicit cliurobos in San Francisco. Mr MicUson had a flight attack of fever after hia arrival in the United States, but is now in good health.

At a mcctinp of the fruilorcra of PonßOii by District, held last ovoniu;,' at Stanford'e Hotol re tho Wodoosdoy oventDß closing at G p.m., tho movement wa* diacnaccd, and it waa un.inimously acjreed to continue tho movomont.

" A Tenant of Browor'n Luno" writes complaining of the absonca of tho police from that vicinity from 10 o'clock lastnißht till nearly one thia morning, duritiK which tiino three women wore veiny most di"- Kusting lan^uairo, cballongitig a rain to %ht, and throwing stone? u» lii-.' liou*o.

The mooting of unemployed held last Friday ovouing ou tho Surrey Hills Estate was uot vory succosslul First of all Mr Carloes, tho convener, shifted his ground at the request of tho "tent" preacher, and afterwards tho procoediutrx v.cro disturbed by eomo men who woro *uid to ho at work. Tho meeting terminated without any definite resolution being como to.

There was quite a largo gathering Jit the funeral of tho lato Mrs Thomas Booth yes toiday afternoon. Tho Kurvico was con ducted by the Kov. O. B. Ward, assisted by the Kov. A. .1. Smith. On Sunday evening a funeraldtscourso will ho delivered by the Kov. Mr Ward in tho Franklin Road Church. Mrs Booth has boon i rosi dent in Auckland for over 27 years, and wag much beloved and rosoected by all who knew her

The Gospel Tomporanco meeting hold in the Foreaterc' Hal!, Karangahapo Road, last Sunday ovening, was well attendod. During tho sorvieo a duet iraa nicely eung by the Misses Marson and McDormott, the choir and audienco taking up tho chorus. Mr Knight gavo an addro^s from the words "Am I my brother's keeper?" and Mr McPherson from the text "To livo is Christ."

Judging by appearances, th« butchors' picnic this year, at Takapuna llacccourse, promidfis to bo a groat succosa. Tho Com mittee- are loaving no ft no unturned to en sure comfort and enjoyment, having ar ranged a liberal and varied programme, consisting of foot and horse races, and a variety ot other games. Tho proceedings will also be enlivened by tho strains of tho Artillory Band, and tho creature comforts will be under the charge of eliiciont caterers. Fine- weather U only wanting to ensure a pleasant gathering.

THE BARRIER MURDER.

The Decision of the Executive

Announced to the Prisoners

The decision of tho Executive that the law should be permitted to t-.iko its caurso in tho case of tho 3roat Barrier murdorers

was announced to tho condemned men

by tho gaol officials this morning, and they took tho announcement of their fate vory quietly. They woro subsequently aeon by the gaol chaplain, the Kov. J. S. Hill, who was surprised to iind from their detieanour and conversation that they were perfectly resigned. It is bulkuod that though every effort has been made to ksep from the prisoners any inkling of what was going on outside, they had been apprised of tho fact of tho sending of tho petition. They told Mr Hill that the decision of Bis Exc9lleiicy"« advi-ers was what they had expected all along. Arrangements lor tho Execution. The execution of Caffrey and Ponu, which has been lixed for February 21st, will tako place at 8 a.m, Wo understand that tho Government havo made arrangements to forward both executioner aud scaffold from the South, the executionor boing a porson who has already bad previous cxpsrienco at tho gruoaomo business. Tho criminals will bo oxocutod simultaneously.

(BY TELEGKAI'I1 —OWN COKKKSPONDKNT.) WULMNUTON, tills day, Tho " Times " says : " It would have been grossest Rcaudal and niiHCarria^o of justice if tho miscreants had bocn allowed to eecapc (ho punishment tho law aworde for such v ciime. Hud any other decision boon come to, it in undeniable that its effect would have been diesßtroup, and would hfivo been tantamount to a proclamation that the crime of deliberate murder might bo committed without incurring eorious nek. If tho death eentonce were remitted in thia case it is hard indeed to concoivo any instance in which its execution would ba justifiable. The murder was of a peculiarly .deliberate, cold-blooded and atrocious character, calling for the relentless inflic tion of exemplary punishment, and not the fainte=fc scintilla of suspicion has been shown fir tho exercise of the P.oyal clemency."

"DVHXDUf, this day.

The "Star" cays it h: gh!y approves of tho decision of Iho Jixecutivn in this cape, as a rnoro cowardly and deliborato murder Chan that at the Great Barrier has seldom been committed. Tf the sentence had boon com muted it would havu been equivalent to the abolition of capital punishment iv this coltny.

H.M.S. NELSON.

Typhoid Foyer on Board.

H.M.S. Kelson, tho flagship on tho Australian station, arrived from Kus eell this forenoon. Tho custom ary salute was exchangod botween the Nelson and Fort Caulley, and anchor was dropped closo to Quoen- I'trout wharf. Dr. Lowis, tho Auck land Ho'ilth Gllicor, then proeboded on board, tho vessel being within tho sixteen days limit from Sydnqy. Ho learned that ouo of tho. men had boon suffering from typhoid lover eince tho 3rd inht., but that every precaution had beon taken to isolato tho patient, and tlioro had beon no spread of tho dUeaso. Major-Gonerol Sir Ocorgo Whit more, Colonel Lyons, Major Sheppard, BurgOHs (Chief Harbour Master), were allowed on board, but otherwise Dr. Lewis considered it advisable to allow no visitors from tho shore ponding tho re ceipt of instructions from Wellington. Wo understand that tho Health Ollicor baa wired to Wellington advising that tho typhoid fever pationt bo removed to tho Auckland "ospital l.hi.s opening, and that tho vessel thon bo admitted to pratique, all usual precautions against a spread of tha foyer to bo taken.

THE HALL CASE.

(BY TKliKiiKAI'U— l'Kli.s.S ASSOCIATION.)

Dunkiiis, this day. Tin-: sitting of tlio Appeal Court is fixed for March, at Christchurch. Messrs Chapman and Denniston will arguo tho point reserved

on Hall's behalf.

The Easter Encampment Ques tion.

(UY MLKORAI'It—PRKSa ASSOCIATION.)

Wanganui, this day

Till! volunteer ollicors hero aro by no moans dispo?od to fall in with tlio suggestions mado in Now Plymouth that this year's en campment bo hold at Auckland on tlio

clianco or .securing tho cooperation of Auck land next year. With regard to catoring fur tho encampment, the local volunteers objoct to tho (iovorninont, undertaking the work, as it. is likely to bo leas satisfactory and inoru expensive

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before Mr H. O. Soth Smith, U.M.)

Dui'NKKKNKSH —Ono man was lined for a t-r.-t oU'onco.—Sophin Burke denied tho soft impeachment, but tho cliurgo was proved by Sergoant McMahan ami Con stable 1-nnovnn. Accused indißnutitly assorted Unit tlio statumout:-i of tho police woro false, but «hn wna tinuil i.'"> and costH, this being her third oliunco. — I'atrick Shoedy, on a fourth conviction, was scu toneoJ to ono munth's imprisonment with hard labour.

AlXKiiKli 1 ai:cknv. — .fohn Civanagh, charged with stoaling a cout, valuo IS, tho property of Charles Mills, was remanded till tlio loth.

I'mii'Ki'.TV A.ssks.smi:nt Act. — \V. (!. Allen and John I'ottur, for failing to fur nish statomonla of property, wore lined £5 nnd co!ts, nnd troblo duty. AIiJOUKSKu,— Annio McDonald did not appear in nnswor to a charge o( tearing Sophia L'cunon'a drcas and assaulting tlio younf; woman in cjuerition.—Tho case wia ndjournod till March Ist, in conee qiionco of t.he illnoaa of ilrd McUouald.

The Wyndham street Affray.

ChavKCS Against Nelson and Ob.en,

Tiik ntl'rny between two foroignere in Wyniihum-etrcofe yestorday formed tho sub ject of prosoeutiona befuro (!io Ke.-idout

Magistrate nt tfio I'olico Court to-day, fatriclc George ivcleon wnx charged with

UfauultiuK Ctiarieu .loliu Ulson by otrikiuf, him on tho arm with a opaijo.

Mr Napier appeared lor tha piosocution an>) Mr F. Ear) lor tho dofonro.

Mr Earl asked for a remand in tho «uee. l!o had only liupn instructed thin morning, and bad not. haii time to Bubpivr.n thonecea eary witnearoa.

Mr Napier objectoii to aiiy adjournment.

Hi;- W'urjhip decided to hear ttieevidence of tho prosecutor, and said that if nocoesary ho would then adjourn the case.

Charles John Olsen, guunliggor, deposed that ho had been employed en I ho Pupakura gumflold for Romo timo. He was a married iiinii. having been married at Invorgargill five years ago. Ho loft his wito tho last tiroo, threo weeks ago, in a house in Wyndhnm street, for which ho paid tho rent. Witness came- to town on Saturday, but did not go

to his «ifo, becauto ho hud yot a letter say ing eho bad gone- away. Ho met hor in town on iSunday night, and stayed -with hor, but loft tho housuon Monday morning, returning at ton o'clock. Ho knocked at tho front door und heard voices insido, but could not got in. Tlion ho went through tho tack lane and over tho fonce. Thoro ho met Andicw ileavoy in v

violent tempor, and ho said witness had no right to come to tha placo at all. Witness replied that ho wanted to »co his wife, and Heavoy tried to prevent him getting to the door, but ho pushed him nway. Kelson then rushed out of the houso and com moncod to hammer him us fast as lie could around hfa shoulders with a broom, which broko in two piecoa. Welaon then ran into the wood-thed and got a spade, with which he mudo three blows at wit nei>s, which wero warded oft". Tho fourth blow struck him across tho arm, near tho elbow, and ho could not feel his hand, and thought it was cut on". Tho bluod flowed from tho cut. Before tho blow was struck witness did not say any thing ta Nelson to vox him. Witness called for assistance, and Nolsou said ho would kuock his brains out.

When Mr ISail roso to cross-examine ho repeated hi? request for an adjourn ment. The evidence, ho mid, contained vory serious allegation?, and it was not fair to ask him to proceed with the defonco without preparation. He was not yot tti possession of tho facts of tho occurrence from his client, and could not bo expected to cross-examine.

His? Worship agreed that the chargo waH a vory serious one, and thought Mr Burl should bo allowed timo to proparo his de fence. Tho case would bo adjourned till to morrow. Bail was allowed in both cases.

Charles John Olson, tho informant in the previous case, was charged with u*?ing abu a'vo language towards hia wife, Mary Olson, and with threatening to take her liio.

Mr Kapior appeared for tho defendant, while tho complainant was not represented by counsel.

Mrs Olsen wished to havo (he case ad journed till to-morrow, in ordor that eho might got additional will)esses.

His Worship, however, decided to take tho evidence of tho complainant boforo granting any adjournment. Mary Olsen deposed that hor husband enmo to her ou tho 6'th of February and threatened to take her life. Ho said bu would not puy any moro rent for hoy anil would not givo hur any moro monoy. Ho nl«> broko opon tho doors of her house. Sho wantod a separation frcm him. He threatened to kill her unless fha lived with him, but she would not do so. By Mr Napier: Sho could not livo with him when ho would net keep hor. Ho was at the Court previously for " murdering " her, but sho withdrew tho ehargo, thinking ho would bo bottor. Sho wrote two letters to her husband when ho wag at tho gnmfiold. In tho first, sho told him to com') bask, but afterwards shu changed hor mind, and wrote telling him not to como. Nelson did uot livo at hor hou.'o, but had his men!? there, and was o, decent man too. Ho paid ISs per week for his meals, tuir husband did not stay at her hon.ee on Sunday ni;;ht. He had frequently threatened to raurdar her, but had never done so. On one occasion he pointed a loaded gun at her. fine could not likoarnan who would "murder" her two or three time a day. Complainant thon repeated hor request for an adjournment, und His Worship, re marking that the two cases evidently arose out. of the same cireuinatances, granted an adjournmont till to-morrow. Bail was allowed to the accused,

The Radical Reform League held their usual meeting in the Excel?ior Hall last eveninc—Mr Duncan in the choir. Minutes having been read and confirmed, Mr Batty was appointed Secretary, and Mr Joune Treasurer, for tho Queuing year, Tho best thanks of the League were preauuted to the Committee appointed to report on tnu subject of legislation and other public ex penditure for their able report, which wag leserved for further consideration.

CABLEGRAMS.

[BY SJMtOTEIO lELKGIUPH,—OOP7HIGHI.]

THE EUROPEAN CRISES.

Tho Popa and tho Gorman Elections.

London, February 7. Tun appeal of Elis Holiness the Pope to tho Roman Catholic candidates for seats in tho Reichstag has caused dismay in tho lanks of tho clerical party. Tho elections are likoly to result in favour of the Govorn tnont.

Estates In Liquidation.

London, February 7, —Tho creditors of tho Commercial Bank of South Australia will bo paid in full.

Honry Bull and Co. have purchasod tho London assetsot Milaon aud Co,, of Sydney, for £70,000. Colonial creditors will bo paid in full, aud the English will roaoivo 13a in tiio £. Tlio Italian Defeat at Maosowah. lUuiii, February 7. —It is reported that Count Kobelant, Minister for Foreign Af fairs, has resigned his appointment, in con sequence of tho Italian rovorsos at Maeso wah. Tho Horrible Railway Disaster. London, February 7.—The express train from Boston to Montroal, which ran ofFthe rails on the Hudson Kiver Bridge on to tho ico, and which subsequently took (iro, was burnt in thirty minutes. From tho position of the train it was impossible to rendor any a?sistanoo, and eovonty lives were lost. China and Japan Mails. Sir Charles Tupper states that England will subsidise) a mail service from Van couver to China and Japan. The amount ot tho subsidy is £100,000 annually. Wrcolt of tho Scottish Prlnco. Bp.ishanh, February 7.—lt has been found impossible to tow off the baiquo Scottish Prince, which recently wont ashore at Shad brook. Tho vesaol consequently has been abandoned. New South Wales Eloctions. Sydney, February 7.—ln tho oloctions throughout tho country tho free trade can didates obtain a largo majority of votOß. Tho elections generally are being conducted in B quiot and ordorly manner. Messrs Burns and Slattory have beon returned un opposed for tho Hunter and Burrown elec torates. Mr Loes has boen olectcd lor Nopean. Up to tho present thirty free traders and four protectionists havo beon elected to tho Legislative Assembly.

DEATH FROM DRINKING.

(BY XULKMIIAI'II —OWN COKKKSi'UNDKNT.)

Chblhtchukch, this day

An inquest on tlio body of Mrs Hannah Leo, who died suddenly at St. Alban's on Saturday night, was hold at the Caledoniun Hotel, boforo Mr H. Beethanj, tho Coroner. Tho nvidenco showed that deceased, who had been drinking heavily far tho last cightoon months, had boon found sitting in an unconscious state, with a jug of brandy and water and two bottles of spirits near hor. She novor rallied, but died in a few minutes. Several bottles of spirits and a barrel of beer woro found in tho house. Tho jury roturned a vordict of

"Heath from oxccs.iive drinking." Mr Bcetham commontcd on the frequency or oases of this kind in tho district. Ho had held pcvoral inquests wbero it had been provod that oxcessivo drinking was tho cauTO of doath. Ho lioped that the verdict in this caso would act aa a warning to hard drinkers.

TWO DROWNING ACCIDENTS.

(NY TELiEUUAriI.—PIIK3B AWOCMATION.)

Nklson, Monday. Willik WAi.ni.li, n youth of 17i whilst trying to crofH the Aorono River, at Col lin[;wood, on Sunday ni;.^hfc was drowned. Ho wan riJinit ono bores and loading another, but thoro was a Hood in tbo rivor. Iho horco was found today, and at 1 o'clock tho docenaed'fl body was found.

WesTPOKT, Monday

A fatal accident occurred on Friday ot Tidal Creek, a tributary of tho Little Wan ganui liiver, north of Westpoi't. A boatman named James Patterson was coming down tho stream, and aftor crossing ono of tho many rapids, ho *aid to his comrade, a man generally known aa Dan Granoy or Dome Gar/ey, that thoy would bo bettor to go aehoro and walk down tho bunk of tho stream, In landing Gmnoy made sumo mistake by catching hold of porno projecting branches, and lotting go his hold suddonly was drowned in tho rapid cunont. Patterson, who is a first-class swimmer, narrowly escaped.

SPORTING NEWS.

The following nominations woro received last night for tho Great Autumn Handicap, 1J mile, run on Eaator Monday :—Mirolla, Loon, Derwentor, Titbit. Artillery, Lochiel, Kuselcy, Mount (?), Berosford, Marion, Fair Nell, Pnshn, Administrator. Quibble, Pearl, Captain Cook, La Koso, Apropos, Kubino, Hermitage, Spado Guinea, liuufi Patrician, Ike, Jack, Itepo, Thunderbolt, Silvor Prince, i'og, Disowned,

THAMES NOTES.

(BY TULKOBAI'H—OWN COKHESroNDKNT.)

Thames, Hub day. Contuacth havo been lot by tho County Council for forming a road, 104 chains in length, to Waiomo mines, and the work

has already heen cnninonctd

Hospital Matters.

At a mooting of tho Hospital trustees last ovening the Uev. P. O'Reilly was appointod chairman for tho ensuinp year. From tho financial statement presented by the Secre tary up to tho ;>lst of January it appeared that there i? a debit balauco of £287. Ho explained, howevor, that there will bo a balance of ±.519 Government subsidy on con tribution from tho District Hospital Board which was in the estimate allowod by tho commissioners, but lost to tho district through tho action of tho Board in not pay ing over tho amount required by the Hos pital beforo tho 30th Soptembor.

The Representation Bill.

Wellington Shows the Whtto Feather.

(BY XKIaBURAFU— OWJ) CORRESPONDENT )

Wi'.LLiNiixoN, this day. The " Ximeo " thinks that tho logical do duction from the presont position of the Representation Bill wan abandoned last year all reaeonnblo hope was last of a fair readjustment bofore the election of a fresh parliament, and that, now unless tho Premier intends to take up tho attitude that unices his bill bo carried this year he will resign and f.ppoal t;> the country, we need not trouble otir heads about tho additional seats to whicli tho North is entitled,for the pros pects of obtaining them or i.ny satisfactory redistribution aro infinitoeimally email.

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAM!,— OWN OOUUKSI'ONDENT.)

Wellington, this day, Hokianga Special Settlements.

Hoy, Mk Ballanw; reports most favour ably of the progress) of tho village home stead settlements in Hokianga District. He is quite satisfied with the success of the system, and is of opinion that under it hundreds of thousands of people will be settled on tbo lands of the colony.

The Hot Lake District.

Stops have been takon for the construction of roads through the district affected by the Tarawera eruption, and Mr Ballance ex pects that the result will be a great increase of the touri3t traffic next year.

The Wellington Woollen Company has had to po to Canterbury and Marlborough to purchase roorino wool for its require cnouta. They boafjbt :lo° pa'o' >n Ghrfet phurch last week. As soon aa the electric light, now on its way, arrives, the Company expect to manufacture 100 bales oJ wool per month.

A TTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF THE PREMIER OF TONGA.

REV. SHIRLEY W. BAKER

FIREU AT,

HIS SON AND DAUGHTER WOUNDED.

Tho Buggy Klddloa by Bullots.

Our correepo»dont tit Nukualofa writes under dato 21th January as follows :-On Thursday evening, tho ISth January, an attempt was mado by somo escaped criaii nols, who have for tho last livo months been secreted in tho bush, on tho lifo of tho Key. Shirley W, Baker, Premier of Tonga. Aa ho had made arrangements to proceed to Auckland in n fow days by tho mail, it necessitated an extra amount of work, and aftor diunur oach evening ho had tiecn in the habit of going to tho Government Offices and working late. Advantage whs taken of this by tho aforesaid criminals to

mako thoir dastardly attempt. On tho

ovoning in question, at about '20 minutes to 8, Mr Baker got into the bugfe-y and us ho had a now and restive horso in tho trap, ho told the driver that ho would drive that evening, and that ho was to follow on with another horee. His second daughter, who was going doww with hor brother, not bohind her father, and Mr Baker's oldest eon, Shirley, sat beside her. The horee, being fresh, wa9 travelling rather fast; but they had not gonofar when the horeo shied at a native standing in the road. Mr liaker's .son called out, "That man has a gun," and immediately jumped out of the buggy and commanded him to put his pun down, stepping towards him as he apoke. Mr Baker's eon, seeing hia lather waa aimed at, tried to screen him, and hia daughter, who saw tho man taking aim ut har fathor, jumped up and, throwing her arms round her father's neck, completely covered him, and in doing so caused her lather to givo an extra pull on tho rein, and tho horse Hwerved —when tho man tired, and shot Mr Baker's son in tho left shouldor, completely carrying away tho flesh of tho arm, and smashing the smaller bonos into pieces. Miss Beatrices I'aUer waa (-hot in three placea in tho thigh, one bullet being co deep lhat tho doctor thought it best tv let it re main in. She met with v ur.c.io eerioua in jury in jumping out of tho buggy; for tho hora» being shot at made a start just aa r-ho waa jumping out, and threw her on her head ; and it is fearod sho lias ssiiouuly injured hor ppinc Immediately after the gun was iired hor brother called out th:it he was shot, when lotting gj her father she eaid, " 1 must go to Shirley, ha is shot ;" which ahe did, notwithstanding there were three othor ruttiana still standing with loaded gun». Both Mr Baker's son and daughter called nut to him to escape, and tho h r.-o, smart ing from itd wound, bolted away, and coon pu"t him out of rifle shot of his wouH-bo murderers. MriSaker's son boro tho pain of tho extraction of the bonce uituout chloroform or any narcotic whatever. Jlo is progro-sing favourably, and it is to bo hoped both Mr Baker's son and daughter will bo sparod aftor t'ueir noblo and heroic conduct to savo their father's life. The Bplush-board of Mr Baker's buggy is completely riiiiiicd, and however he eecupod in a miracle,

It ia v truo saying, " Murder will out; " and sevorul natives implicated in tho matter having turned Kin^ a evideuco, it has piaeecl the Government in a position not only to prosocuto the lnurderore, but many of their accomplices, and bus roveuled an abounding state of things. A leading W'esloyan native is eaid to have been prituo movor in *ho affair, and other Wxeloynna had not only devieed tho echome, but laid out tho plan of a civii war in the land. Although two days after tho affair thoy literally proclaimed war, yet tho rin(jlcadern boinj; caught, tlio cowurde soon returned So thoir homes.

Ab tho Government found tho matter moro Huriouu than at ihvi, was (supposed, they have Hworn their officials in seorocy lest tho nouplo, who oro intensely excited over tho uiVuir, mi^ht bo led to t..ka tho matter into their awn hands mid proclaim lynch law So far, notwithstanding thcro are pouio 700 ih'htintr men uvor hero from Hnubui and Vavuu, tho utmost they hovo done is to kill ,1 iow pij»e hulontin;; to Mr Moulton and bin adherents.

This dastardly affair, coming directly on the factof twenty-four Wosleyun natives in tho 08W militia refusing to tako tho oath of allegiance (fourteen of whom wero College boys and tho rest prominent adherent?), looks very suspiciout, uiul moro especially as tho vory. loadersof thoall'iir aro some of the rebels (concerning whom tho King appealed to tho Wosleyan Conference in ISSO with out avail.

It ia well for Europeanß of the W«?loyan porsua^ion that Mr Baker was not shot ; for thov would hays liittl no m©rcy stiiowii to them.

The British Pro-Consul h"s thanked tho King for tho prompt manner in which tho murdorers bavu boon captured, and tho measures ueod in rostoring pcaeo and order. Tho murderers are now awaiting their trial. Tho British Pro-Consul, and the Gorman ViceiConsul, and Dr. Buckled, huve sever ally rcqueatod the King to institute a special coirt ior tlieir trial ; but, as every day affords fro^h evidence, they may not bo tried for a few days yot.

It is rathor unfortunato that tho very leaders of this all'iir are thoso rebels whoso liberty Sir W, Do Viuux interested himself in obtaining a fow years ago. Tho result of the murderous attack has been thnt hundreds havo joined tho Froo Church, The oxprefeions of sym pathy with tho Preinior and his family havo been universal bnth amongst the whites and natives. All ths four criminals huvo pro foesed for tho last fow weeks to be Roman Catholics whereas oao only was a Koman

ntholic, tho others WosleyaneJ Thoy ran away from gaol a few months ago, notwithstanding they were heavily ironed — ono of the gaolers it is supposed, helping them to escape They were all lonK eentence men.

(FROM ANOTHER COIUtKSI'ONDKNT.)

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.

I have taken advantage of the departure of the schoonor Mailo for Auckland to for ward you bouio faola rclativo to affairs in Tongo, niter tho shooting of Mr Baker's son and daughter, which occurred on January 13th at 7.."0 p.m , within 100 yards of tho kind's palace. Mr Shirley Baker, junior, was shot through the left arm, elo-o to the shoulder, tlio bullet cairyiog tho bane clean »way from tho flesh- Threo slugs struck Miss Baker, who throw norsolf between her father .md the assassin, one slug smashed tho lamps of the carrißge, and two others went, through tho daehboird. O;ie of tha latter struck the carriage booto, which iuimtdi ately dashed off, throwing Miss Bakor to tho ground and severely injuring her back. Mr liakor dashed off in search of assistance to wall; to tho house of Falafehe, about 40 yards off. Mies Bak?r, although wounded in several places, kept up for some two or threo hours till the raw hor brother's iu juries ationdod to, and then eho wu3 forced to succumb, and it was found that she had been badly wounded. On tho Sun day and Monday following, four men, who woro suspected of having porpetrated the outrage, gave themselves up to the authori ties. They raid that they pursued this course to ?avo their friends from being looted. Many others were also arrested, md Mr Baker pent orders to Hiiabai and Vavau for tho peoplo to come and punish tho Tongans who hnd allowed the shooting to occur by not securing tho four man re ferred to, they having been outlawed, and living in the bush for isome months, defying j anyone to tatse them. Some assert; that those men could not have madel tha attack on Mr Baker because they were Been twelve miles away about tho same time. Mr Baker states that no was attacked by several men and that he saw two flashes, so ho concludes that, the would-be assassin had a double barrelled gun, or el-e that there were two men firing, one covering the other. On Tuesday four boats camein from Haabai, and soveral brass cannon and ammunition were placed on board the Sandfly for use in case of emergency. Further arrests were made on Wednesday, and the people wore in a very excited condition. The common gaol was found to he inadequate to meet> re quirements, annl a new losk-up was con structed. Some of the prisoners were shamefully treated by the soidiers. >lora boat* arrived from Ilaabai Oil the 20th, and the ecboonor Malokula, orowdsd with men, also arrived. They fired off their rifles on approaching the wharf, and as s. on as they were landed, commenced to make things) very lively.

Tiio Prison Attacked.

Thoy attacked the priaon, smashed in tho door, putting a number of shots througn it and demanded the prisoners to cut them up (although it is probable that many ot thVo arrested aro innocent). Not being sriven thoir own way, thoy then commenced firing ball cartridge in all directions, ooted several houses, and shot some pigs and fowls belonging to tho Wesleyan natives. Mr Moulton appealed to Uio Consul for protection, as the intruders were firing in tho direction of tho college, and this waa given by the posting of notices warning anyone from interfering, and hoisting the British flag over tho property. As Messrs Moulton and Giha were walking olon", a shot was fired which paesed close to thorn and foil on tho road where it waa picked up and brought to them by a woman. A bullet also passed dcBO to Mr lUchelman, and another bullet entered an unfortunate dog near the saino spot. On the 21at, the Haabai men scattered in several direction?, looting the Wesleyans until they wero stopped by tho Kin", when they wore about to extend operations to tho country. Whilst at the Consulate with Mr Parsons the despoilors , had possession of a pig and romp fowls, but thoy wore driven off by the inhabitants, leaving their spoil behind. Subsequently ! they fired at a iFakogo (VVesleyan) ; he ell, just grazing hi» head. The inhabitants by this time were in a state of great terror, the Kino'a authority being apparently insuffi cient to chock tho career of tho desperadoes. On the °'2ad tho schooner Falaogogo and boats arrived from Vavau and landed a largo number of mon, but theso proved much quieter than thoso who previously came from Haabai. The latter, assisted with others from tho Bea, continued to liot wherever opportunity pre sented itself. In tho afternoon Mr una Mrs Moulton were fired upon by a man whom they failod to recognise, but it ia supposed tho firing was only done to frighten them. Freo Church or Wesloyan ?

Things grew from bad to worse, till tho doctor found it necessary to order provisions for the visitors to prevent them from loot inc, tboy having robbed tho Wesloyans and also forced many of tho latter to join ; tho Freo Church, in tho hopo^ of ' paving their property. On tho 23rd, Kalebi, the Chief of Hoama, came in with all tho Wosleyans from that town, liavinc been driven away from their homes and their property appropriated by the Government men. Notwithstanding this persecution, however, the Wesleyan cor vices were well attended, and this evening sorvico at tho college was crowded. Things were quieter that day, and wo only he.-.rd a few guns fired by the MotulalO, which had arrived with more men,who landed quietly. Putting on tho War Paint. There was lo?s excitement on 'ho Monday following, but I ob?erved that the warriors had painted (heir faces afresh, and as the ilaile loaves for Auckland to day, it ie thought passible- that they are watching her departure to commit new oxceeees. Causes of the Trouble. Mr Baker is considered by both natives and Europeans to bo greatly to blame for bringing tbeeomea from Haabai and Vavau. It in eafd that the King reluctantly gave his consent to their coming, as tho outlaws had previously given themselves up. Mr Baker (aid that ho ;would send come of tho men buck at once, but ho cid not do po So far a? I can learn no European has tione more than to ci'l tho attention of Eomo natives to a paragraph in tho papers recounting an assassination, and tolling them that that was tho way in which tyrants were served in eomo places. The attack on ilr Baker was probably the result of continual nets of oppression by tho jovornmeot ami its subordinate officials ex-tending over several yeara. The outlaws j wero supported by the people, £0 that tho (lOTornmcnt could not take them, and thoir act was probably tbo act of a large portion of tho inhabitants. Dis- j satisfaction prevails from one end of the kingdom to the other. Everything rocs to the Govornmont, which, it is alleged, takes two thirds of tho entire produce Of the country, thus reducing tho natives to poverty and ruining the trades. Vet they are afraid to resent thia condition of things for fear of mnking them worse. It is im possible that thir" can continue, avid if tho King thould die Mr Baker would bo placed in a very awkward position. Mr Baker attributes the bad tioiOS to tho failure of tho nut crop, but wo have had several failures during the ten years 1 havo br.en hero, and yet havo never Buffered as wo do uciw. In former time?, however, tho (iovcrnment took half of what is coi lcctod at present and tho tax was often remitted r.fior hurricanes. Tho population, too, is rapidly diminishing, for as the people become disheartened ti.ey euconjnb to disease, and they fear to ppnak because Bvorything is done in tho Kind's namo. Tho King ie now in hia t'otago. How Taxes are Levied. Tho total produco of the country has been estimated at from £50,000 to £70,000 annually, but last year owing to bad nut crops and the low price of copra tho returns ! will not total inoro than £45,000 from all sources. Tho Government taxes are as fol lows -.—Poll tax, £1 16s ; To Bu!e Kces, is ; education, is; leafo of huta for making copra, '}?•; ditto for yarn plantation, os; ditto for abi, Ks ; each horso (entire 20=), 4s -, dog, Is; dray, 4? (a spring cart U taxod 20?); boat £1. Total £4 4i. It is estimated that tho average tax direct amounts to £3 Is per head cf tax payers, of whom thoro aro about 12,00t, exclusive of tho unmarried women, who psy Sa p«r annum until thoy are manisd. Tho above taxes nro collected quarterly, and if not paid defaulters may bo, and usually aro, charged extra fir tho first quarter, whilst if tho taxss are not paid befc.ro tho year's end the amount is doubled, and properties may ba sold up at a fur'.hor cost of £1 to tho ' owner. l£thapeop!o o.ve money and are butnmoned for debt, tho summons costs 14s, and thoy may not got credit for more than £3. The court i? always full of cafes from that amount down to sums of 4a. For fast riding tho rino and summons 13 04.i, for having no shirt or outer garment, .'}os. Many natives have been fined on tho last charge becauso thoy havo been seen minus their shirt when in thoir own houses. Every year taxes are increased, whilst tho moans of paying them are decreasing, all boasted improvement being so much ttrain oq tho country without any corresponding return. The revenuo derived from the Folice Courts is a prolific source to the Government, the expenses being merely nominal.

A New Way to Coavort the Hcatbon.

I Of course tho Wesleyans got the full benefit of thcso laws, ho that many of them are in prison because they could not pay ; cithers have joined tlio Free Church or the Catholics to save their property and them selves from portocution. Perhaps you can 4ind space for just one inftanco. A Weeleyan native was employed by a. European" to trade for him in placo of another native who had only boen employed seven days on hia license. The European was under the impression that the one license would do (•is is tho ea*o with European traders), but having some doubt? about it he went to tho judge, who told him that he was wrong, but that as the tnsn had acted for two days only it would bo all right, if tho necessary license vaa taken out. Thou a new judge name in and ho refused to iseme the license. Further, ho lined the native 110 dollars for trading without a license, and when tho liuropoan offered to pay the fluo. refused it unices the uativo fis^recd to join tho Free Church. This is oue in etnncß out of many that aro continually occurrinrj. Tho taxes p:iid by Europoaiis also amciuit to a sum out of all propor tion to tho business done, and as if tho people wcra not sufficiently tnxod, duties are loviod amounting to 10 per cent, ad valorem. In tho Free Church subscriptions also, pressure is brought to b;ar so that it may appear by the larfjo amounts collected that tho natives aro much pleased with the chance from Wesleyanisin, whilst tho con trary is tho caer.

Kanderson and Co., nuctioneore, report the s^lo by auction to-day, br order o tte Resi-trar. of an allotment having 5Q f*:et front age to Arthur sireet, Ooihunga, viih cottage anil ruronmor'rt workshop tlirrt-on, for thn sum of £05. Thu Klnvston iUlotments, 111 in mimhor H-..d 100 aorriß, rarish ol Ornon, MoDginui. wra iilnn ort.ired. bnf. n» saUsfuctoiy oitVr being iuad«, axo open forprlvntns^le. Twrntyphares in tho North now ZtalaTi Woolleu Company were n'so submitted, but e'.icitert no bia.

Mr G. E. Savage, of Karioi, Kaglan, writing to renew his tuDsoription to tbe " JSlew Zealand Farmer," e;ivs :—" Will you parmit me to say that ' The Farmer' is iat and away tho best investment I ever made * 1 cannot understand why it is not —a? it should bo—upon the table of evary eottler. It had only one fault, its size, and that you have happily remedied, and it is now everything that could be wished.1'

PBllirt foi-eu. poi./anreiiro.-. i^. gu ',V,.'aiis^Vju UeUo-». pnor h nori. jm^ti. c liV-u ■..- ::J, : e> m ;'.• ■ ' wo-.cilir^',: l iV.'--nV:;;""; "V" "■;-""'"« » "iu '-.*":> 'I neislliri.. m 1,..* tfli-i- K,-t out, i-£ rl.n-rs "" net- Anu-iimn C 0."5 !lojj l,.'a ,-■. ,\ 0 ~

£100 REWARD.-Ther cure all diseases of the

The Disputed Will Case.

Close of the Evidence

The hearing of th 6 evidence in this cage closed at tho Supremo Court yesterday

afternoon

Mr O'Moaghor called Mrs Whito as a wit n»s3 for examiuationinchief. Nothing material was elicited. In answer to one quostion tho witness said that she waa not in the habit of " flying into a rage." When she was angry aho generally " sulked." Her mother was not cry ing after Mr Cave's visit, Tho saddle belonged to a gentleman living at Kihikiki. She gave no instructions about it. Cross-examined by Mr Button: J B c 9 Too'.oy cams to her. house at Lobody'g request—her own impudence brought her. She stayed in witness's house during August and September, but she never slept in tbo house —she did not wanb euch women about her. She had never received a pre. sent of a crochet shawl from Jane Toolsy. Harry used to address his letters ts ais mother, care of Miss Jane Toolev, cr "Mrs Fuller" as lie used to call her, and sho would therefore bring thorn to the house Witness and her mother and Jane Tooley and Harry went round in a cab to look for a house.

Mr C. H. White was recalled by Mr Cotter, who proceeded to ask him who waj hia solicitor at the time Mr Cave was called

in. Mr Button objected to tho question, aa it involved new matter.

Eis Honor upheld the objection, holding that Mr Cotter bad only the right to cross examine in rebuttal. Mr Cotter contested the point, and even tually requested His Honor to take a note of his objection to the ruling. His Honor, after consulting his notes', said tho point a3 to tho question involving new matter being a little doubtful, be would allow the question.

Mr White then said, in answer to Mr Cotter, Mr Alexander was his solicitor, and he had never employed Mr Cave previous to his drawing of tho .will. Ho told Mrs Low she would have to leave the house because Mrs Harrison was com ing, and they had not sufficient accommoda tion for both. He and his wife might have had some words about it. One night Mrs Low put en her hat with the intention of going away, as she was not speaking to Mrs VVhite ;but witness begged her to stay forthe night, at any rate, as these family quarrels did not look well, and the knowledge of them might annoy Mrs Fuller on her death bed.

Ciossoxamincrl by Mr Cooper: He did not wieli Mrs Fuller to be disturbed by family quarrel?.. The cause of disagreement wav thuC Mrs Low seemed to think tho house Mra Fuller's or her own. It struck him that there was jealousy be tween the Bisters. He bad taken tea aloDg with Miss Tooley and Harry Fuller in the lattcr's house- ho hadputupwindowcatches for them—and he had visited them rooro than onco.

Chas. Fuller (youngest son of tho late Mrs Fuller) a lad of 16 or 17, deposed that ho was staying at Mrs White's at the timo of his mother's death, and for some timo previously. When Mrs Low wont into his mother's bedroom no one followed her in. He had seen both Mrs Law and Mrs Harrison in the bedroom alone with their mother. One day he and Mrs White wont down Quceu-street, leaving Mrs Low in the bedroom along with Mrs Fuller. He and Mrs White remained away about a couple of hours. When they returned, Mrs Low was still in the bedroom along with her mother.

Examined by Mr O'Moaghers On the I 27th of January la«t, he mat hia brother '. Harry, who took him to the United Service Hotel, and " ehouted " Scotch champagne I beer and lemonade—for him. Witnoss I then went to the City Club, and shouted I Scotch champagne for bia brother. Snbse- s quently he had a third drink of.Scotch 1 champagne. After this he went to Thome ■■% and Kigby'a office, feeling a bit dizzy in the '$ head. He there signed a paper, the con- :} : tents of which ha did not remember the B next day. His Honor did not understand how such ■ questions appertained to an examination-in- I chief. Croas-oxamined by Mr Button: Hu mother bad told him he would bs well pro- o vided for, but had said nothing about hia : sister's ahar-o. He was still living with the Whites. Samuol Cohen deposed that ho was a financial agent carrying on bueinefs in 3 Auckland. Harry Fuller had coma to iim 1 wanting to borrow £40, and atatingtiathe I had been loft £100 under hia motberVwitt : : Ho went to Mr Cave's office and sawtia will. He thon lont the money, inst M-: day Uarry Fnller mot him, ana eaid :. MWe shall win it" (the action), and offered ;| to sell the interest in the will.'s,' He ji wanted to bet witness a n«w "hot V that Uioy (his party) would win the suit JHo also told witness that Mr Rigbybad -]'■ informed him H tho will were upset they: ; would all share alike. Crocs-examined by Mr Cotter: Thefirst:...";' loan to Mr Fuller waa for i'oO, and waßfor: i, three months. Fuller received £42, but ift^J would not swear that Fuller had not to pay 1 Mr Cave out of this for the deeds. He had « paid £87 in all for Fuller's legacy. '■:.., § Mrs Meredith waa recalled by Mr i. O'Meaghor, but gava no evidence of "any £ moment. " . • -.-, Mr Kigby, having boon recalled by Mr.-.:. Cooper, etmed that when Cuarlea Fuller called at his office on tho 27th of January,; ho was perfectly sober— not the smallest: si£n of liquor about him. Cross-examined by Mr O'Moafjher: Harry Fuller introduced the boy to him, and when witness a»ked the purpose of ■ tho visit—remarking that Mr Liishley j; had been appointed - the boy's guardian— Hurry Fuller said he had told hia brotherha was going *° Thorno and Kigby's orEce,and > his brother asked leave to accompany him. .; \Vitne33 askod, "la that so?" and uharles : ; Fuller replied in the affirmative. Witness , ; ;. again reeommendod the boy to see his ■ guardian, but he eaid ho preferred to aw Mr Kigby. lie-examined by Mr Cooper: Afctheboya : , , request ho then took down a statement from him, and tho boy subsequently signed it also at his own request. : jpW As this closed the evidence.tho Court adl journed until 10 o'clock this inoroing.

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

—. . / On tho Court reeuining this morn ing, Mr O'llesgbor opened his address d to the jury on behalf of Mr "and Mr»::i White. With regard to the two grouDda ■ upon which tho validity of tholato Mrs Fuller's, will was attacked, ono of them, viz., that of testamentary capacity, had ;: been abandoned; and there only remained for them to deal with the allegation of undue iniluence. His clients (Mr aud Mrs White) had only been joined as defendant* to tho action by order of the Court, and thoy wore practically en the plaintiffs side, inasmuch aa they supported the will of 14th Sept., of which ptouote was sought to be obtained. i m A remark by His Honor elicited ffom Mr Cooper the statement that the defendants . (Mrs Harrison and Mrs Low) did nob ques tion Mrs Fuller's sanity in making the latest will, but they did question her capacity. By consent it was arranged that the issue to bo placed before tha jury should be as follows:— "Is tho will propounded bythe plaintiff in this case the true will and t«U ment oE Susannah Harriet Fuller, deceases* A discussioii ensued as to tho possibility of severing Chas. Fuller's intore&t and case from thoie of tho White?, co that if the jury found that the Whites had exer cised unduo influence, Chae. Fuller's case might not be affected thereby. Mr Laishley contended for this sevorancfl of interest, and iv doing bo mentioned that under tho will of tho 4th of September M» client (Chas. Fuller) got £900 while, under that of tho 14th of Soptembar.be got ; £1,150. He wished a special issue placed beforo tho jury in favour of Chas. Fuller. Mr Button argued that there could ba no ench severance, as, for instance, under the disputed will the Settlers^ Hotei was left to Mrs White, .w»n a charge upon it in favour of Charlea Fullor. He contended also that the interest of Charles Fullor would be the same under.; - either will. ; Hia Honor did not see that the interests of the Whitaa and of Charles Fuller were to ba soparated, especially in view of the eifti»na the charge upon it mentioned by Mr Bat ton. He, however, admitted the principle that a will might be bad as to one bequest and good as to another. Still he failed to see how he could support a charge, and not tne bequest upon which it was founded.. ii W will was to go at all, it must go^altogether, Mr Lai-hley submitted to Hia Honort ruling, and Mr O'Meaeher then resumed hia address. He contended that in order to invalidate a will on the ground of undue influence-as alleged iv this case—tnera must be something shown in the nature oi iorce or fear, destroying free agency on tne curt of tho testator. That was laid down in Mills v. Key [I. Haggard, Equity Di«: eion.] Furthermore, that the execution oi the will had been obtained by some unpor tanity that,could not be resisted, and .tna* tho act was done for the sake of-peac*' [Boycav. Rospar, 6, House of Lords Cases, p. 3i,] A more moderD case wos that oi

riffi AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1887,



■AJOTICE OF REMOVAL. W. B. MELDRUM, TAILOR. Wishes to inform bis numerous friends end cur tomers tirnt he has REMOVED to those more Orntrel and Spacious Premises adjoining W. **■ Ot *' SHORTLAND-STREET, ■4jul.fc!;s? l l° solicit a coatinuanceof partpatron- I &K0 by all old and new gatrons. "4i Suits raost £3 158. '' ". All Work dODo in First class Style. t ■ -j»^«». ... ..■■.- •



pvEVONPORT. NOTICE OF REMOVAL. Dr. PARKINSON has removed Into the third houso below his late residence, tho one formorly occupied by Mr VT. H. Fenfcon. Houra of Consultation as nsraal— Morning - 9 to 10 Aftornooo - .. .. 4 to 5 Evening 7 to 9 ___ — \»T ANTBD KNOWN. KAMO COLLIERY OFFICK Remov a 1 fcom Mossra Mltchelson and Co.'s to Office formerly occupied by them flate H. N. Smith's), I*. Ox sen-street. HAND-BKWN BOOTS, apeolalljr •■(» able' tor the warm weather, light »rid t«wy< rtvltiß great comfort to thea* nffllotea with tender dot-WM. MILLKK fc BON, FrloM lUghtlr ov»r Imported articlt. ri E N U I N E SEASON'S' CASH SALE. MILNE & CHOYCE Will soil FOR CASH, FOR ONE MONTH, The balance of their SUMMER GOODS In evory Department, at reductions varying from 25 to 50 PER CENT. ' As ths Kcncral high-class character of their Goad* i- woll known, tho following Prices will give a fair estimate of the genuineness of this Sale :— STYLT3H TRIMMKD HATS, from 5s 6d oi > LWH 'I KIMMKI) CAPS, from Is 64 .-TV LISII KKK.OHIKF3, Is 6d S'lYblSH *ANS, lslld aTYLMI FJCaTHKKdandFLOWERS, greatly r.-rim-cd. SOYS' STKAW HAT 3, from Is 3d UA.Td.IR3d SU N no N N KTd. la lid CHILD .KX'S CO* rUMKS, greatly reiuced L.A DIES' COSTUMKrf, from losßd ..US' • Lu.\KS. from 13a lid SVJNtHADKS, from 2s 9d SM.K OUOVJS* from 1b H.ttU~ 'IDIU^K™ m irL,OUNCINGS, & LACKS ire orally, giciit'.y reduced CHiiDrtKN'd SPUN HuBK, half prlae. NUNS' VEILING, DRKSS MATERIAL, from Ota PHIA run DKLAINK3, from BJd UINUHAMS, from 4Jd f HINT*, from lid Other DKKSd MATERIALS, SILKS, &c.. In proportion. INSPECTION INVITED, BALK TO COMMENCE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY I. MILNE & UHOYCE. GREAT. T> EDUCTIONS XV AT WILLIAM R. BRIDGMAN'S QLBARINB £JHKAP (TJA9H gALE. About 20,000 Yards Drees Materials In (treat variety A really good line Fanoy Dress Goods, 4}d yd Choice lot of Prints, coat price, to clear While and Grey Calicoes at cost price Wide Grey Calico, la lOd doz ; White do. 2}d yd Clearing line Swiss Embroidery from Id per yd Ladies' Black Jeraoya from is lid 10,000 Yards White. Cream, and Coloured Oriental Laces from 1b 3d dqz. half usual price ; Parachutes, 6d : Umbrellas, Is 1,250 Pairs Girls', Ladles, and Men's Hosiery from 3Jd per pair—a great bargain Men's Strong Cotton Shirts, Is hong Lace Curtains. 2s 3d per pair Boys' and Youths' Dressed Oxford Shirts, Is lid Men's do. 2s lid Boys' and Youths' fllnck Felt Hats, Is Men's Windsor Scarfs, od Men's Tweed Trousers, 4s 6d ; Boys' do, 3s 6d Ken's Merino Singled. Is 3d : do Paste, 2s Men's D.B. Black Cloth Vests. 2s fid. worth Ss 6d Men's Black Cioth Suits, good quality, 35s Lot cf Men's really good Coats, ail wool, but not latest style, at halt-price, from 6s Bd Large Stock of Corsets at warehouse price, from is 6d Large lot ot Remnants in great variety, cheap Lace and Caahruero Capes from Is lid 2SS, UPPER QUEEN-STREET.