COMING EVENTS.

KeotlnEO. &0.. Vo-algUi,

tlpsra Houao—MnoT\lahou and Leitch Company

in "ThoLlbravls.il."S. '101, Quaen-aircot-Kxhibitlon of Glas3blowlnK,

7.3f. -City Hall— JK3l& and Federal Combination, 8. Willow Grovo Gardens. North Shoro-Amuse tnen'.s, 7.50. ■Freomatonh' Hall—Lodgo Ara,7.30. St. James's Church—Universal Prayer, 7;30.

Rota of Justices at Police Court. January «-«. S. Kiseling andC. La Roche.

Auction Sales To»morro-W.

Mortoa ami Jackson—Household Furniture. U. ». W. Binnoy—Wool, etc, 3. • ilrantor & Nolan, Junction Yards-Cattle, Oto.,

A. Buckland. The Haymarket-Stt-aw, Hay, Grain. ProdMco. otc, M ; Waat, Hlics, Skins, etc., 12.

J. Ma'oloid t Co-3?rodtwe, Poultry, Furtituro, etc., U.

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

feUiza ira1, olosb A3 uhdbb i—

Thm D&T.

iPer Marlposa a3 follows :—

For Navigator Islands, Sandwich Islands,' '"United Stairs of America, Canada. British; Columbia, Central and South Amerloa. and QrtlUh and foreign Weat indies, at 5 p.m. For tba United ICiogdom and Continent of Sdropo, at 5 p.m.

Money orders, registered letters, and news papers, atB.SO p.m. jjate lettoTß, boarioor an extra fee of G4 in Rildliion to !he postage, will bo reoelved by tho Mall Agent on bcatd tho steamer up to I.ho Mine of aasllne.

"this mall will i>«* dm in London on'or about February 7, ISW.

PorPulikl MMi Coromandel, por COVoniandel, at 5 p.td. Vet Thames, per Enterprise &t 5.30 p.m.

TUBSffXY. Jan. 4, Wor Thanios. per Eotonishana, at 7.30 a.tn. for Walwctw, Kawau. Omaha, Matafcana. Mullet Point, and Lower Matokana, poi1 Rose Caney. at 10 am.

iFer Wfcitara,et?", rer Ga'.rloch, at 11 am, Eor Now Plymouth, and Southern i>urcs, per Ponquin, at l,pm.

For London, via Rio de Janeiro, and Plymouth per lonic, from Lyttelton, en Bth January), per Penguin, for corrcsondence specially bo, .aiW.resscd, at 1 p.m. > United Kingdom mail will bo doo at Ply- j .mouth about rjth February, per Rotomabana aa follows— Foe India. China. Japan, Modi-; torranoan Ports, and ContinentctKurope. at For Russell. ICawaKiiwn, Australian Colo nies, and United Jvingdoin via Suez, and Brindiai. t<t>c !ettorß, etc., specially bo, prepaid and addressed, at i p.m. ' For moasy oners, registered letters, and; newspapers, at 3 p.m. ; Lane lutt.ora for Sydnor and Melbourne only , nt 4.2 a p.m. Too United KinKdom mail will to &O3 «™ London on February 22, ISS'.

.<\>r T:inrunga an,d Opotikl, pec CUeßOlg. at; fl pm. Far Ru'svll, Kawokaw*. Rawono. Wangaroa, and Alongcinul, por darrswan, at 6 p.m. For Wnni>nret Heaila Furua. Wal^ii, Whun ijaroi. Ksruo, aral Maugapai, por. Wellington, ¥nr Whiiiani?» UenK Mill, and Talras, per lon*, at 5 p.m. Vac uisborno, rirr Southtrn Crosß, ati p.m. & Svbdnesday, sth inst.

For Cjroj-jandel, per Coroiuanuel. at 11.30 n m, (Sißned» S. B. BISS, Chief Ppstmaster.

Chief Post oflioo, Auokland,

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Bunskt.—This evening, 7.1 U. auNRi6K.—Tc morrow morning. 1 SJ. MooN'a Aas.—i"irßt Quarter, 3rd, noon,

HIGH WATER.

AocKr,AKD-Thls evening, —; to-morrow RiorntnK, 0.15. mittanckatj Heads—This nftsrnoon, S.tO j to morrow morning, 215. Kaifaka Bkads This afternoon, 3.10; to morrow morning, 3.15,

ARRIVALS.

»"RIDA¥. Wollirj)jtou, P.S., StopboDSon, from Whaogarei

SATURDAY. Southern Cross, as.. Splnkp. from VVelUnnton Jonu, e.s,, Amodoo, from Mercury Bay

SUNDAY.

Mariro3», U.M.S., Hayward, from Sydney

To DAY. Itotoraahaan. ».iv, Carey, from ?ou'h lUinutak... Jt,M.b.B., from Weliingwn

DEPARTURES.

KBtDAY. Olf nelß, o 8., Johmon, for Whanyarei Herald, s s.. Jones, for Greymoulh •Ohau, 8.5.. Barnach, for Graymouth

SUNDAY. Janet Nicol, s s., Hutton, forTor.ga Clirfltlna, fch.. Bylva. for Russell Vonus, cutter, McGuernoy, for wnansturoa

TEAMERS TO ARRIVE.

Gl"nelg. from Whangarf 1, midnight Kotomabann, from Tnames, to morrow, 6 pm. Coromandel, ior Coroainadol. to-morrow, 5 D.m. Hauroto. 5.9., from Sydney, to-morrow, oarly Zoalandia from Bon ITrancioco. Saturday Hawoa. s.s, from South (atOnchunga), Saturday

IMPORTS.

Per Rotomahani—B<4 bags wheat, oipkgs tea, 30 blocKs ftono, 381 Backs oats. 25 sacks oainuol, 30 cases meito. 50 cases hop bittuM. 16pkK<J ale and stout, 21 oases ginger ale. 31 bales gunnies, £6 coses sa wing machines and sundries.

EXPORTS.

Per Janet Nicoll-89 casos geneya 9o do iron, 895 pieceUimbor. 60 baga silt. I.ObT bags snasr, 60 cases kerosene, U do beer. 15 boxes candlos, II i mill nnn" ' "~ <» ah«'P' 52* caaos meats, and a large quantity of sundrleß. Per Marlposa-M Sacks potatoes. IB bundle-, whalebono. 111 bass, 21 packaße^gj-^ Ealpara ThQ^Tiriffp-^ffl&riS^Ti, jjbmii arrived at j^ort —r-%ne bargß^Jc^para on Saturday laßt. CbatoStTgantino Look-out arrived at Sydney ,». irrom Mercury Bayon Ueoember 23. The brlgantlne Norah,has been docked for rleaning. preparatory to going on the berth for New York direct. The schooner Three Cheers, which loft Ly ttel toa tor Auckland on the 2«a ult., h»s on board 52a rails. The ship Piako. which went from this port to Naoi°r to load wool., etc., sailed for London at midnight of yesterday. The barque Notero left Ly ttelton for Auckland nn D-oemOM 27ih with the following cargo :- S7O rk" flour, 666 rail', 3iO sks bran, 1,270 begs flour 120 sks snarp-. 20 do oa<mcal, Ul sts oats. 2 605 do wheat. 23 c«ea b,coa. For Thames -80 ska sharps. 100 do wheat. The s s Jan. tNtcoU left for eoulh Sea IsMnd via Russell, ™ Sunday afternoon. Passen^ff. Mwßts C A. Kdenborough. O. Latphrr' s"in"fr. R. T. Dam. Mfs es ?„&,„ at Lon- Mitohell, Master S. » atkiiis. Bokhara, from The following h-voW »* Jta «t A. ? ona n Vnvember -« and Mim Westwood, Olarke.^^ " 2 -. Mr and MIBB OweDi Mr A _._JSeher, and Mr B. R. Simpson. The ship Ottewcool, which has anived at Melbourne fromFrlederickstadt record:; the Inns cf the second officer overboard and the sudden death of the boatswain. The second officer was thrown to loeward by a heavy larch, and stepped overbuard between the Iron rails or protection rod", only 11 jin apart. Life-buoys weru thrown towards the spot and the vessel was drought up tithe wind. The boatswain, Richard Campbell, was at his quarters assisting to clear one of the boats, and nsked tho other men what was the matter. On being; told that the second officer' ; wits overboard he fell down dead immediately. The second mate was named John Cutoliftb, was a native of Devonshire, and leaves a wife rind family at tlymouth. The boatswain, Richard Campbell, also leaTca a wife and family at Plymouth.

THE RIMUTAKA.

The RM.S. Rlmutak* arrived from Welling ton at 830 a.m. to-day. She left WolHnßton at 4,10 a.m. on the Ist, and experienced fine ivnathor rturinz tho voyaKO up. The Rimutaka brines tho f Mowing Bteeragfl passengers for Auckland, innddition totheiißt of names pre viously published :-H. Adair, B. Alnle>, G. Binks, C. Bowden R. Brown. W. Case. Mr and Mm Cross and 1 children, T. Falkoer, A Finch, B. Haensler, O. Herbort, B. Herbert, D. Holmes, '!' Keady, C. Kennard. G. Moon. W. F. Hicharda, G. H. Vince, Mr and Mrs Watts. A. Watts, J. Wilkinson. K. Wilson. Tho Rimutaka remained at anchor off the end of the Railway Wharf to-day, awaiting the departure of the Maripwa for 'Fiisoo at 6 p.m., when Bhe will * berth at the Queen-street Wharf. The Rimu taka will proceed South again, en route for London, on Thursday next.

THE ROTOMAHANA.

The B i. B"tonfShana arrived from Melbourne via BobarWmb) and Southern ports at 8 30 a.in. T>^annn»i—n ;—From Me.baarno : Miß3 Buddie. *TroroHobart: Mr B. Crzena and daughter. E llunrdin ■ Mr end Mrs Allen and 3 chil dron. Mrs Fiannety. From Lyttelton: Rev. and Mri Hands and 2 children. Mis 03 Jaoobi and Orr Mbj"r H. Green Messrs J. Ba-bgate, B. \V. VmUh Martin D O'Brien, J. Harkness. From WfeUinß?on -Sir and Mrs E~W. Mils, Mr aod M?aMEtodiioTMt and Mrs Dodgem. Miss Brock, MelSl "Welliaay aad p u lloek.«Tom N.pifjr : »r »r,d Mrs tt. Olair and child. Dr. and Mrs Ho-vittT n£. Mjiand Mw BUK M«dameß F|en wlok Way. Brflko. Mhbos Wa'ker, Harroan, • Walker B Hird. k. Carr, A. McLean. £P. and 2 children. Misaos Strudwiok, Reed, Messrs J and J. W. Mattnew?, and 20 s'.eerase. .

THE MARIPOSA.

Theas. Marlpos". Captain H. M.Ha.-'ward, left Sydney at 5 23-p.m. Deoember 2v. 1386. Experienced fine westher throughout passage. Arrived at Auckland January 2nd. at 6.10 p^m. Passoneers for Auckland: Mr Churnslde. Dr. J. Donovan, N. Soold. F. C. Wasbburne : also, 16 salodK and 28 steerage in transit for Frisco. The Marlnosa is to leavo again for San Fran olseavia Honolulu, it 6»m. The following passengers have bnoked at Auckland: -Mr snd Mrs Samuels, Mr Jame'a Taylor. M> a And cews and three children, Mr and Mis J. M. Bates and child, Mr and Mrß C. M. Brown.

THE WAITABI.

The Kamo Coal Company's B.a. Waitakl. \ -which has been lylni? idle in harbr.ur ■^•r^or some onnßtdarab'e urn's in about OS, \n re-nmo active Eeivica o.t the Ifait ' Saat t-ade. Sbe will leave 10-monow veSne for Whangaral, and coal there, re * ■—. to thta Dort, and leave for Napier and -•< Thursday. Sb.o will nat go farther rj^ja occasion, bntlWa. probable X- "^^^ - .' : .

that later on tho nteamer wUI inolnde Woulnßton In her regular trip South. In that ease sho will make about throo trips n™^.^" | h> port, Ulgborno, Napipr, and Wellington. Slio wi'l procood to Wbangarol to roal, and one object whioh the Company have fnvlowTn their new venture is Ib puah tho sale IS their coil at both Napi?r and WoUlngton. ?n this way tho stonier will Ways be ensured frelght'for tnbse ports. TheWaitaki has boan nlacod in a state of thorough repair, both intor : Sally ariU externally, and Ihouia prove a suit -1 able boat for the trade upon which the is about to enter. Tho provfdorlnithaa been ttlven to Messrs Hadrill and Mar^ wiok;. n .M' John D. Smith has been appointed Engineer, snd Mr James NelU second. en» lneer. Thn captain will be appointed tbmorrow, and ho wUI appoint hW owh offloeTß.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

LvT-tblton. Funday. -Arrived: MataUra, from London-; Omaha, frdm Chathams. Fubsb1!.!.. this day—Arrived: Janet Nicoll, from Auckland, 8 a.m. Bluff, this day.—Arrived : Walrarapa, from HB bLuiv°tD sis a d la"y.-The b.p. Walrarapa arrived Btio:isa:m. Passenger*: Mr Slmpeon, Master Thompson, Mrs Dlnmock. .

Marriages.

NORMAN-BUTWKLL.-On December 20, at Auckland, Alexander Norman, of Mercury Bay, to Eleanor Emma, relict of F. S. Butwell, and second daujfhterof MrS. Ha.ton, iron-cafe maker, Birmingham, England.

Deaths.

GOOD.—On December 31. at tho residence of W. Havlli. Paget-Btreet, Ponaonby. Adela Florence, infant daughter of Frederick and Jessie Good ; aged 8 months. McFARLAND.- On January 2, at 1C 30 p.m., at her parents' residence. View Road, Mount Eden, of thrush, Violet, dnarly beloved infant dauehter of Uhsrlcs William and Anna McKarland ; eged 7 weeks and i days. Interment private.

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1887.

For the inn that lackt auisUnce, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

Within the last year or two we have been the subjects of more than one war alarm. Not unnaturally frightened by what we read in the daily budget of cable news, we began to picture to ourselves what might happen. We saw Russian cruisers—with the mind's eye, of course—sailing into one or other of our numerous harbours. Now it was Auckland, now Wellington, that was in the hands of the enemy, our worthy Mayor was being shadowed by a strong guard, whilst the banks, which lend, importance and pride to our city, were all under surveillance. A heavy requisition was made upon the place, to be paid within so many hours under pain of bombardment. Such a realistic vision might well wake us all up. We awoke to the fact that beyond theoldßussiangunsin the Albert Park, a source of alarm to ourselves rather than to any possible invaders, we had no artillery. If war should arise—and such a thing seemed more than probable—what could we do ? We might feel very patriotic and very warlike, as befits bods of the sea-girt isle. But what was the use of mere feelings ? Don Quixote felt a cavalier to the very nails of his fingers, but Mambrino's helmet and the rest of his antiquated accoutrements would stand him in very poor st6ad if he really

liacl to fight. Pluck and Patriotism were very good as far as utbcy went, in fact, wore absolutely sson-1 tial; but they must bo put at the j breech of v gun, tlien, lanyard -in | hand, they could do good service. I And so we seriously set to work ; wo grubbed and wo excavated ; and wo obtained guns, and even a torpedo boat, looking like the wickedest embodiment of wais capable of cur vetting, ami pirouetting, and playing ftU sorts of tricks of a gymnastic : kind in the water; and then V.-o : mouutcd our new puna, aiid We Made , some show cf furbishing up a "militia, and polished tty the Volunteers, and considered onrselve/s 'ready to defy the Czar 6! all the Russias, should he think fit to 'come this way. The wholo story, though admirable in its way, is not without .certain points of re semblance to Landseer's well known picture, entitled " Dignity and Impu dence." :

But the very serious question arises whether our efforts have Hot been, in great measure ihl'own away. "Wo have' done cither too much or too little ; just enough perhaps to p.ut us'iu a fool's paradise—that most clangorous of all positions — just enough to justify an invading foe, should he ever come, which'heaven, forbid, in using his own far moro deadly arms of offence, but not enough to give us any real Security. For just consider what wo havo done. Well, first We have put up a few big guns in different places. Now, these gmia ftl'b, wo daresay, very well in llicir way—we ilo not speak as experts —but unless they were properly and scientifically handled, they would be no better thaii the dummies which une rei'.da of Us ill use amongst the Chinese* Guns require gunnel's, and gunners are merely ornamental unless they have constant practice. An invader would cuter our channel, at virght with all lights extinguished, arid if (ho com mander were a dashing ofHcov—u man like 'Lord Oochrano, for instance — ho might slip past the batteries and l>e at his moorings off tho town, inter viewing the Mayor, Town Clerk, and Bank Managers in his cabin before the gunners wore aware of his existence, if indeed their guns wore not first spiked or otherwise disabled by nn unexpected visit from tho enemy. When guns tiro mounted on a height it wants experts to man them oflicieiitly—the difficulty of hitting an object under such eondi tions'bciiig greatly increased. 1 lave we such exports 1 Wo do not doubt the courage and zeal of the garrisons of our forts and our Artillery corps, but j have they been afforded sufficient op portunities for practice with tho wea pons they will have to handle '! We question it very much; and the $Qjii posal to convey men to Wellington in order to undergo instruction does not strike us as one that will secure such good results as if the men were in structed on the spot with the guns the)1 will have to use. Now to puss to iiuothor matter. Oui volunteers are armed witli the Martini Henry "rillo. Our opponents, wliei: they do show themselves, will can) Magazine lilies, increasing the odds against us to an almost fatal certainly. Whore are the machine guns, Catlings or Hotehkiss', or the like 1 Keho answers from the crater of Kangitoto. If wo mean to light, and everything looks as though we meant to have a show-at lighting—why, in the name of all that is warlike, let us light with a vengeance. Either haul down our colours and turn out our pockets, light enough already as wo all know, or else obtain proper materiel of war. Wo don't want to turn out with long bows and cloth yard shafts like otir fore fathers at (jrecy or Poietiers,. as though wo had been having a long nap since then, and yet our position is almost as foolish. Oh, John Bull, John Bdfcl Bless thee for the stupidest of all old fools that over inhabited this earth. Thou art a. fighting old fellow too at bottom, as we all know, but ten to one when the fight commences, thou art fast jdcojjjjindjin vib^Mai^ou • art'i^fiing thy sleepy old e}-cs and stretching. And out here in the the colonies "« little Bulls are just as sleepy f"^ ius^ as stupid as our aged mi»jOE, thinking we are ready to fight when we are really only ready for a uaii.

Do not lot our position lie mistaken or our words misunderstood. AVo arc not members of the " Peace at-any price Party," much as we may deplore war and recognise its evils. Our con tention is simply one of common sense. If we are to fight lot us at least stand on even ground with our foes. The art of war is advancing by lcaflß and bounds:

each year introduces changes of vast importance in the weapons which are employed, and the force which carries the better weapon is the one which has

a tremendous advantage in the field. It was the Prussian noodle gun which gave its bearers the victory in the cam paign against Austria. And where shall wo bo if, whilst our foes have Magazine rifles we cany only the Martini.] Of course we cannot ex pect to be able to obtain every now warlike invention as it is intro-

rluced ; but we are bound, when a new

principles of tremendous 'import is coming to the front, to use it at the risk of incurring utter defeat. The change from the simple rifle to the Magazine rifle is almost as great as that in olden times from bows and arrows to gunpowder. Major-General Sir George Whitmorc, who arrived from the Soutkjto-day on his usual tour of inspection, has un doubtedly done wonders in the organi sation of a capable force at short notice. It is surprising that so much could have been accomplished in so short a time. He has made the best possible use of

the material he had .-ft his command, and is uuable to go further than the C4overn ment will sanction ; and the question of expense is a serious one. The fact, however, has to be looked squarely in the face that a weak defence is as bad or worse thau no defence at all, and the General in command will, we feel sure, find support in the country, at this time of European unrest and war mutteriugs, for the procuring of any war material which is deemed really necessary to place the national defences in a*condition of thorough efficiency.

His Excellency the Governor left late this afternoon by the s.B. Hinemoa from the Manukau for Wellington. He was present at the J3llerelie Racecourse, and loft imme diately after seeing the Steeplechase run. After making a short sojourn at Wellington for the despatch of official business, His Ex cellency proceeds further South to pay a promised vieit to Dunedin. With reference to the cablegram of last weok stating that Sir W. F. D. Jervois was likely to be the successor of SirPopo Honnessy as Governor of the Mauritius. Hia Excellency cays that he knows nothing further than has appeared in the public props, and that he had received no official communication on the subject.

Sir Georgo Wbitmore was a passenger by the Rotomahana, which arrived from South this morning.

A two-horse buggy haa been safely driven by the new road from Kotorua to Parehsren, at the back of iiototnahana. This route will become a favourite one for tourists wishing to view the fields of desolation. The; number of visitors at Rotorua is in creasing.

All w'\o ttdrairo n stniiglit-going sports man will bo glad to hoar of Mr B. Mitchel- Bon's success at the Victoria Racing Club Summer Mooting on Saturday. By tho aid of Escutcheon, a two,year-old son of MuaUot and Kosotfco, ho Beor.red tho Critorion Stiiltos, and in the. Normnnby Stakes, Escutcheon raneocond to that great filly Ilortoruo During Ml- MitchelSon'a career on tho tuff ho has been most unfortiinttte, bat it certainly scsm3<that tho tide has turned with him in tho beginning of tho now year. At a meeting on Friday last of the New Zealand Iron ni'.d Stool Company, it was formally rosolvod»to wind up tho concorn,

Dr. Hoctor is suffering from a brokon collar bone, sustained while visiting tho Makanui Coal Mino, on tho West Const.

Two men were brought up to-day before Mr S. Y. Collins, J.P.fand Superintendent Thomson, and fined for drunkenness. Thia was tho only business hofore tho Court.

Saturday's busiqess at the Police Court consisted in the punishment of a solitary drunk. Captain Corbott prcoidod on tho Bench,

Thht srfiunch and well-known teetotaller) Mr J. Jenkin, is on the ovo of hia departure for England) and the Good Templars have therefoi'o resolved .to entertain him at a concert to-morrow.evening in tho Temper ance Hall. Bro. D. Goldie will prcsido.

Tho milo bicycle championship of tho colony was run at Rangiora on Saturday, and was won by Bean, of Ghri'tchurcb, boating Webb, of Dunodin, by oiio yard Willmotv, North Canterbury, was third. Time, 3min fib' 4-sth tec.. Bean won tho tori milo race in 38min 1 2-Sth soc. . Mr Charles Borham, tho plucky aroman Who got so badly hurt at tho Hobson street fire, is progres-ing favourably under tho c iro of Dr, "Dawoon, tho Brigade's doctor. Wo havo eoen tho remnants of tho coat ; Borham wore at tho liro, and it appears to havo been literally burnt oil' his back.

Tho HtHe boy Smith, who has boon in tlio hands of tho polico for eomo days, was claimed yesterduy by hia mother, by whom ho hud been loat in town. Tho constables treated tho pool- littlo follow very kindly, anS hgg had becotuo quito attached to During tho passage of (ho Rotomahana from Oiaborne, sho woa more than onco in si-lit of the K.M.B. Rimutaku, also bouneffor thia pon, but fho two stonroers were not sufliciontly near ouch other to permit of » trial of speed.

A man nnuud .lumos HobevtMatthowrou, rucontly clisuliareod for vagrancy ut \V 01 ---liiiL'lon, attempted suicide ut Kaiwftrro by walking into tlio harbour. At the lolice t'ourt ho ploadcd guilty, and was remanded. Maithowson w.ii until Tocently engaged as a clerk in a solicitor'sojlice, but somo time ngo his brolh-'r *ai found drowned in tho harbour, nlid cinco thon tho accused has been drinking heavily,

Tho popularity of Profcy-or Woodrolle <» fanov claps-blowini' oxhibiUon ifl evidently hirt'o as seen by the crowd- that assembled on Friday and Saturday eager to witness his handicraft. Tonight tho elegant Cbrlst-in-ia treo that has caucod en much attraction will bo given away, cadi visitor to choose a prcHtnt oil tho troo, and to morrow aftbrnoon a lovoly glai-s fhado oOtt tuiTiing a bc;u.lif.ifsi)OCiinonofglassblowii)g will bo prceonted lo Iho prottlost child in Iho room, a committooolUidios to dccido.

About nino o'clock last night a (iro was burning brightly npparontly close to llio Old LWlo'b Refute Somo ludg ran to the (ire boll at tho top of Wakdiold-strcet, but as it was thon licnvly out tho alarmwas not given. Tho liro provod to bo one o Iho parches of gorao which embolliah tho lloa pitnl Orounda near thoLKofugo.

Our spirited Gnllfq contemporary of Sydney," L'Or-canion," mukesa really first class display in iv ChrUlmoi i-.-uo. It comiuises ten pages of letter-pro^, bogles .■> special Chri-tmas. .Supplement, contain ing an apppropriato descriptive poem by 1,. Henry, nicely illuislraled viith Wood cut*. In lib -Kullclinol the, Fortnight, M. Vilftvftl tionchontly ridiculoß Auh trali.-in fthgoism it /w/'os of tho Englißh occupation of Kgypt.

Tho quarterly mooting of tho Muhurangi Wosloyuu circuit took [>!«co on IJuciMiibor Sth at Djiuo Valley, l:ov. 0. J'.. ..ir.cy pro^iilitij'. Tho number of mcnib.T? tiunvocJ ivn incr<-:-.Ho for tlio quarter, and tho sflinlmil »talo of Iho circuit as a wholo was regarded as good. Tho financial stalo is not n> choorin-, (hero bcin« f evcral pound., doh cioiu'v: A conveiKation on \V hat Un bo ])ono to Promoto the Work of Gcd in the Circuit " resulted in thq piling of some rodOlutionß. If. tfus rcaWvtd topJnce^Wj ■pVe,cLf -rl'M? w ? b elected i'laj? ruprcaontutivo" to tl.o Couferonco in Auckland.

Swift's* ca-o. It appenr«.that the cash box was left in -ho *Hop with a little change in it amongst which it i» knaym that there was a hol^ovorojgrjjo^^gj^ .ft.VuKaiT'WViYSii'-Otfcfonny contains tho thrco metals fused together, and this proves con clusively that tho box b,ad not been stolon. The conglomerate is shaped somewhat like a snake, tho head boinlg of gold and tho re mainder combinocl copper and silver.

Mr K. T. Chattield scuds a letter in re ply to Mr Hondry, but tho matters at issue lire, scarcely proper subjects for vontilation by newspaper discussion. Our corrosponv dont disputes Mr Hondry's claim to part ownership ot tho llapklo, and cays :— '■ As regards my own uufortunato commercial position, 1 will only say that a credit over plus of .L' 2,000 was shown on an audited statement, quite justifjing my creditors in expecting their demands in full, and if mch does not cvontunto, tho ■ why and whoreforo will be publicly stated. In re tho wreck of tho barque Kapido, and my monetary loss in consequence, 1 must'refer Mr JHendry to ray liquidators." We can not HriiniL further correspondence on this subject m

Mr K. T. Booth, thjetempernnco lecturer, ia a through pas=onger by tlio tnail steamer from Sydnoy for the United States. On Wednesday last he van entertained at a farouell banquet in Sydney, Sir 'Henry Parlies, M 1..A., being in the chair. Tho following telegram was received from the temporauco organisations of Molbourno : - "Kindly convey beet wishes Bnrl hoarty God-?poed to Mr and ilra Booth from V:b tartan friends temporaries causo; aim friendly greeting to ypur mooting." In proposing tho honllh o! tbo guost of tho „. ovoning, • tho Chairman /said that Mr Booth had pouotratcd pretty well ovory district in tho colony.' That gcntlo nian belonged to a class that laboured in a very good causo, that acted from strength of conviction, ond that, jporeovcriiifj against all obstacles, still aimed at Iheflbject boforo thorn, which whs to ma so tho world more steady and sober, and more worthy of their common humanity. __ Mr Booth aleo belonged to that narrow republic of gifted iiitollocta who, with .a strong purp'oso and honest con victions, har^ ttie faculty of commanding apeoch. With it that gentleman had con vertod such myriads as would equal tbe population of a wholo city, and, making every allowanco fjr lack-sliding and actual failure, He must have done a vast, amount of good. In reply Mr Booth eaid of his work for tho teinperauco cause in tho colonios that ho had a right to bo proud of that work, but ho was by no means natisticd with it. The social reformer's labours were, not finished, the statesman's work waß not done, bo long iig their daily press Was dripping with horrible murders, flickoning suicides, and brutal wifo-boatings, all due tostrongdrink. Heal and solid progress, however, was being inado. Their "educational agencies, thoir churchesl, thoir pros?, and eonao of their statesmen were doing much to correct these evils, and to bring about that 'Beautiful Golden Sometime " of which they had heard so much. ■ Mr George Holdship subse quently eulogised Mr Booth's labours,.

TO-DAY'S EXCURSIONS.

The excursions by water again proved a great attraction to pleasure - seekers this morning, and between two and three thousand people left the Queen-street wharf between S and 10 a.m. by various steamers. The ferry steamer Britannia left the Queen_ street Wharf at 8 30 a.m. nnd called at Worth Shore at 9 a.m. en roula for Waiheke with the scholars, teachers and friends of the Dovonport Sunday-cchool and others, the steamer being very numerously patronised. About 9.30 a.m. the Ucroinundel left for Motutapu on a picnic in connection with St. .Tohn'd I'onsonby Wesleyau Church, and at 10a.m. the LUncmun lelt for tbe Kauan with about3oo puai-enßeis. TheArgyle, En terprise. Alo:-:;indra aod other tmulla'eainero left for St. HiiU*!c"Biy ;ibout tbesamo timu loaded »icb/ piiistngoi"-1?, «nd the ferry at camera rjiuniug to Uevunport and Ncjrtli cota were^/aleo lib.r.tlly }>a!.rcni3ed. The | weather v/in very pleasant, and tbe excur-I aioaa prom=ed to be of a very pleasiug character//

CABLEGRAMS.

[BY EHBCTKIO TBLEGBAFIi.— COPYHIOHT.]

THE ENGLISH CABINET.

iiord Kartington Declines td Acccjitl

bftice.

London, December 30. Mv Chambkblain has arrived in London, and is conferring with Lord flartington on the question of forming a coalition with the ConEorvativo party.

Lord Hartinjjton has declined to accept the premiership or loadorship of the House of Commons, aa ho believes he can be of uso to tho Governraont outside the Cabinet

Decemb.or 31

It is stated that,Mr Smith will bo leador of tho Commons, but retains tho position of °Mr fcUanhopo will bo Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Earl of Carnarvon will succeed Mr Stanhope as Secretary for the Colonios,"

(rWSSS ASSOCIATION )

London, December 31

An aytie'e in the " Tiine3"an the political crisis implies that tho protects 'ot tho Con eervfltivoa proven ted the Marquis ofHarting ton joining a,coalition Ministry. It is understood that Lord Randolph Churchill will retain hia. position in the Cabinot if the Earl of Jddeßjeigh, Secretary of State for .Foreign Affairs, and Sir.X. Cros-s Secretary of State for India, at pre sent holding sc-ats in the Cabinet, are sacri ficed for Mr Ritchie, President of the Local Government, Board, and 3.ir H. Holland, Vice President of the Council.

THE THREATENED WAR.

ItussoGarman Alliance.

[I'fitfSS ASSOCIATION.]

London, Decombor 31.

M. Blowitz, the Paris correspondent of tho " Times," statos that a direct allianco between Germany and Russia Was eigned a fortnight aso, but the truth^ of tho etato raent is questioned, . .* On the pretence of tnaiKjjuvnng, the Austrian Government intends to assemble Fovoral army corps in the Transylvania roady to join tho Hungarian forces. U ia bolievod thatPorvia, Koumania, and Bulgaria will place 400,000 mon under the command of Prince Alexander, in the f event of war being declared.

[I'UEBS ASijOOUTIONI

London, Darembor Si

It in roportcd that Germany poeecss.oa ono million of repeating rilles, whilo France ImH none

London, December 30. The statoments IhabGenoral Boulangor, (it the request of hie colleagues, ha 3 re duced hiH war vote, and Ihat the Czur was montally affected, h<ivo boon doniod.

A GERMAN JOKE

London, Decembor 30. Thk "(.'ologne Gazette" throatens Queens land with a wholosalo invasion of Germans, in ordor to pqcuro its eventual annexation to Germany, -Whoto great interests in tho Pacific dfihiand the qfoation of a Gorman kingdom in Australia, to counterbalance the Australian Monroe policy.

THE KEILAWARRA INQUIRY.

THE OFFICERS BLAMED,

(ÜBUTKK'S TEtKOUAMS )

' SvDNiiV, December 31. - Tin-; decision of the Marino Board ia con noction with tho Koilawarra inquiry was announced today. The Board found that the lofs of the * vewol had boon caused by tho negligence of Captain Buttroy ; it al;o found tho mate of tho Helen Nicoll in default, owing to insufficient care. Rogret was oxpreseod at tho action of some of the crow of tho Helen Nicoll in jumping" board tho Keilawarra. Th^-j.^ voeßO , stated,th^ 1 J'tJiolUbrtß of the olUcers thore 3-ou(rfnot havobepn e^rea't a sacrifice of life. *

The Outbreak of Small-Pox

[KEtTKH's TELEGtB.WI.]

. Bydsey, December 31. TwFSTY-vouii distinct cases of smallpox aro reported amongst the Preujsen s pas "ngor., as well a» tMrty-one auspao^ jsa=«>. - -"Adelaidk, January 1. Another of the Preuseen'a passengers has been quarantined, suffering from email pox.

London, DeecmVef- 30 —Consols have risen §, and are quoted at par. London, December Sl.—New Zealand securities : 4 per cont. inscribed stock is £1 higher (954) i Now Zealand 5 per cent. 10-10 loan remains unchanged at £101 10s, mid the New Zoaland 4A per cent. 5-30 at £9« 15s.

The Skyo Crofters.

i London, December 31. — The Skye Crofters' Commission, appointed to inquire into the question of rents, havo made many reductions, varying from 15 to 51 percent. Sir Saul Samuel has closed the New

Pouth Walos Emigration Ofliee. Tho Failure of Messrs Young and Lark. London, December 31. —Messrs Young and Lark, Australian me chants, who sub pended payment, havo offered their credi tors 15a in the pound, and it ia considered likely the ofler will be accepted. Boy Emigrants For tho Colonios.

London', December 30.—Mr J. A. Froudo states that colonial employe's would #el como tho emigration of boys under a system of long apprenticeship. Hanlan a" Visit to Australia. Ilanlan starts for Australia*early in February. ; . ' v Tho Charge Against Mr Dillon. Mr Dillon, on the'groutid that ho has found bail not to repeat tho Loughrea ollonce, has appealed against tho trial of himself ova charge of oouepiracy. Salmon Ova, for Now Zealand. .* London, December 31.>— On© hundred

thousand salmon ova havo been procured from the River Tweed for shipment to New Zealand.

liondon Commercial Notts.

Tho wheat rnarkot is etill firuaj and a furihor advance of Is is announced. Australian wheat on trfe spot is quoted at Sis. Four thousand qua ters for prompt shipment have been sold at 38a. Flour is Is dearer, and trade is Bteadys Tho Missionary Schooner Daysprlng.

SYdnia-, December 3L~Tl^e missionary schooner JDayspring has arrived fftm tho Now Hebrides. TUe captain repdrts that affairs on that island are quiet. % Ostriches for New Zealand. 0

Hobart, January I.—The barque J,«O" Hannah, Captain Brodenessnn, with a num bor of ostriches, hu-s, arrived here, bound for New Zoaland.

Melbourne, January I.—The,,Victoriaa and New South Wales Government have reduced their proportion of charges on telegrams between Australia and New Zealand to a halfpenny p^r word.

MURDEROUS ASSAULT.

News comes from Mangawai of a murder ous assault in the neighbourhood of that settlement. The victim is a medical man named William Smith Ferguson, who has,

it appears, been working for some time as a guindigger. He was found in a whare near to tbe Mangawai Heads in a shocking state, hisheadbeing terribly bruisedanddisfigured and his body a great deal knocked about. He was conveyed on a stretcher to the beach by some gumdiggera, and Mr Dick eon, of Auckland, improvised a sail from a blanket, and took him up to the hotel in his boat, The injured man's wounds were Attended to, and ho now lies in a critical

state. His mate, a man named Pryce, was arrested on suspicion of having committed the aasault.and now awaits trial at Hakarau Gaol. He was out shooting in the ranges at the time of his arrest, and declares his innocence.

HUBBD OF DBINK7NO —" A ynu

friend of

mine wua cured of au insatiable thire for liquor taut hart so prostrated his syatum that he waa unable to do auy buuiuese. lie waa entirely cured by thfi use of American Co.'h Hop Birt^r^. It pllaynd a!! Hint burning thirst, took away the appetite for liquor, made hia nervea steady, and ho has remained a sober and steady man for mote than two years, and has no desire to re- Lurn to bia cups."—From a leading R. R. Official.

NEW YEAR'S DAY.

GREETING THE NEW YEAR.

The Now Yoar was ushered in with the customary djf. From^ about half-past eleven on Friday night Until past midnight the tjueen-streot Wharf was Veked.from end to ocd by an eagor|fowd thafchad, as sembled to observe the promised display of firewqrks. . Tho steams" 'Clansman, ?Rj>ee Casey, and Britannia wore laid~:||i,lor a trip round tho harbour," and they were well patronised, whilst tho steam,- tug Awhina,Vhicli was"'a sort of fire -ship, and only carried a favoured few, took npaposi tion off tho end of tho Railway Wharf. About a quarter of an hOnr before.midnight tbo rockets began to &Bce!hd, tomo from voxels alongside tho wharyes, and some from the Awhina. and at intervals other exploeivos and coloured lights were fired, giving varioty*to the display. The Awhint'a fireworks wore quite a feature in the pyrotechnic exhibition, and ono of tho finest eights was undoubtedly a pretty arrangement of blue lights in the fo.m of a tree on the foremast and yards of tbo s.s. Clansman. The ferry [steamer Britannia was decorated from stem to stern with Chinese lanterns. As the town clock struck the bewitching hour of .twelve, tho uproar was truly awful. Tho bands as ecmbled on the wbarf struck en a strange medley, of tunos, the crowd cheered, or rather yelled, the bolls in town and^on tho vessels in port rang out moat vigorously, steamors blew their whistled, and the Awhina considerably assisted towards making- niybt hideous and "appro, priately" we.'c.nning the new year 1887 by the shrieking of her terrible foghorn. "The uproar on all hands was deemed to he entirely eatisfaptory, and as 12 o clocic passed and .the first hour of 1887 was entered ppon the wharf gradually tleared, and the thousands who had for the past hour or more,been crowding the wharves and other coigns of vantage turned their steps homo wards. Some-the majority -got that far ; no doubt some did not. However, ISS7 wae ushered in most-auspiciously, and the Vvpathor promised to bo beautifully fine for the morrow. . ~.

Watolinight Sorvloos Archdeacon Dudley, tjje incumbent, preached a very appropfiato impromptu rermou. The Holy Communion was ad ministered to a number qf persons at the cloao of tho service. . ... At St. Paul's tho usual service was hem, «hou tho.e was a fair!Wbcr o£ peraona present. Tho Key* G. M. Neleon (incum boot) conducted tho Ecrvieo, and adminis tered tho Communion to a number of per sons at its close. ~ i. At St. Matthew's, tho meumber.t, the Rev MrTobbs, 'conducted tho eorvicu es pecially held for th'o welcomintr of the now year, and administered tho Communion to a fo\v porsons at tho clo?a of tho evening. Tho special eorvice at St? Mary's Church, hirnoll, waa attended by a veryjargo congregation. Tlio service, winch con sisted of selections by tho choir and specially nrranged prayers, was a very improesive one, and was conducted by tho incumbent, the Rev. Mr Waljolo. At tho I'ittstreet Wesley an Church tbo Now Year's service from fl to VI o clock was well attended. ThT liev. 11. Bull attended, and conducted the meeting, when addresses were glvon by Jlr J Marshall, Mr S. B. Follows (ol Weslly Collego), and othors. Miss Caloy played tho accompatn tnontß to tho hymns. Thaienediction pro nounced, tho usual hearfy^hand-ehaking followed amongr.ttfre congregation. Now Year's JEve service! woro also heiu at the Aloxandra-itrect Methodiet Church, addresses being giv*on by.Messrs Goldie, Watkinson and ISurt&n, thl UnileoVMetho dist'Freo Church,.when tbo Key. 6. Wor boys presided, tha Taboiiacle, presided over by tho Key Thoma3;Spurf;ei>n, and tbo Wosreyan Chjircb, l'alnoll, when tho Kov. H. Garland presided. Now Year's Day Excursions. Jupitor Pluvius proved Kost colisidorato, and the weather on SaUrdly waifall that could be desired, T£o Quern-street \\ hart was again a scene of great activity, and evorybody appeared to be making a thorough* holiday oxceotinf the. captains and crowßsof the various coastal steamore, who were busily engaged h looking aHer passengora^or^tha v^-gj,. S^roftTiSand home (tho Kfwau), rapidly liUod tip,, and was tho Uret to get away, crowded *from end to end with a very animated freight. Tbo lilon. bfM»n, J,J or WMtmrrr-tlw-Wtlliuhii..! wr Man-o -\\ ar Bay ; Argyle, for Motutlpu ; Rowena, Enterprise, Tamo'Shantet, \ Tivid, and other small craft for St. tfcliei's Bay fol lowed, all fairly well patvoiised, and kept the harbour lively for 15 binutes or so, utter which they dUappeafcJ from view, and the port eeemed dcEertcj. Tbe various excursions passed! off pl*»*tly,'and with tbe exception a the dbjeman, all the steanjbjsjoturnJ to port apore 7 o'clock, me Clansman ttnfortunljely stuck along eidg^the wharf at Kawau, ana conEenuently •was unable to reach totvn till near mid night, i Ttto^HttWaUj-An ijfrontful Trip. The most popillar of tbe'lfew Year's Day excureione wafe again that txj the beautiful little island of the Kawau, atd tbe number of excursionists was aug"mja»^d by the fact that the trip^Bras to be madeiby the favour ite steamer Clansmau. Tie veseel was crowded to exoees, but tbe weather was so calm and ploasadt, and tbo«ottcntion of the worthy pkipper fCaptairt Fajquhar) to the comfort of the passengers sogrear, that no inconTenience leeulted, and sll went merry us the provor£i»l marriage ball. Hunter's Band was on board and plarcd a number of selections on tho passage down, and also during the itemaindor cf tho day. Kawau was relchedi at on 4 o'clock, and Sir tteorgo Groy was found Jo be waiting on the pier to receive his visitors. The excursionists vere eafely landed, and wandered hith« and thither under the trees, through the garden and orchard, and, along the fern-clad streitnlet leading up from the eej shore, j. Sic Ooorge also threvv' his residohco opsn for inspection, and tbe many objects of interest formed quite an interesting aitoraodj's study. After tho paesongors hid landed, it was found that the steamer's stem had taken thog-rouud, and as the tide jvas falling It bocamo obvious tJiat it would be very late before the iSrl^* got avray again The hours wcr^ .pleasantly passed, and Sir George Grey with, his accustomed kindness n'-t... only -provided hot toa during the afternoijn and*evening, but also gave instructions «iat the evening's milk should bo saved foWho >i?o of'vbo Infante, to the intense gratification of tho heads of families. Captaii Farqiihar bad moan while pumped thirty or forty tons of -vater into one of the Cljheman's stern tank?,' and shortly beforo tenTcloct. the.Btoamer moved oil'tho beach and Started <jff on hor return trfff* amidst cntliusiastic cheers for Sir Georgo, tbo T>and playing " Auld Lang Syno " Captain Farquhar hastened the speed of his fine steamer, aid the trip back to Auckland proved to be a very pleasant one, the Queen street Wharf being reached soon after midnight. Mr Malcolm MoLood, the Company's providoro, was on board and personally attended to the wanta" of tho excursionist", and it need scarcely bo said thaffcis larder proved equal to the un expected demands made upon it.

Sunday Sclipol Union Festival. The* annual feto of the Sunday-schools belonging to.«tho [Jnion was held on New Year's Day^inJft^Aucklanct Domain. The goneral* rend|sEvo»3 was this year selected in Karangabape Road afrits junction with Upper Queen - street, near the Baptist Tnbornaclo. Hitherto the sfcboola have congt«gatod>at the fifcbcll at IJio foot of Grey-street?.' Tha ohaDgo wS#a wise ono, aa tho children woro thua to,walk down tho hill andlp tho ofller tide. *By f 9 tfclock all the school! were fa"attendance, Mr Seering Matthews, as hereto'ore, officiating as marshal. He wks -mounted on a fine horse, which, however/ho discarded shortly before the .procession owing to an accident that occurred. Is appears that while Mr. Mat thews was directing operations a man was diivinp along in a spring trap. Ho was bo earnestly watching the children that he allowed hia wheel to come iato contact with the hin'dl quarters of Mr Matthews' horse, with tha unpleasant result that the marshal was ! unseated, as ; his horae plunged violently and caused general dia ma? amongst Ihe scholars Fortunately, Mr Matthewa did not sustain any serious injury, although his left arm was sprained and his side wrebched by the action of his horee. At a qiirter past nine o'clock a band of youths led off with | the Union Banner, closely; followed by tha Garrison Band, under Bandmaster Morris", paying "Away Down the Swanee Hirer." The schools then camo in the following order :—l. Union fetreet Weeleyan ■ Super intendent, Mr Roberta ;12 teachers and 107 scholar. 2 Pitt-street Weeleyan : Super mtendunt, Mr, McMas'er ;56 teachers and bll scholars. 3. St. James's Prosbyteriaii, Wellington - street: Superintendent, Mr James Browalee; 5S teachera and 43S scholar-. 4.; Baptist T.ibern&cle School • buperinteudtnt, Mr F. Battley ; '50 teachers and 550 scholars. 5. Alezandrastreet Primitive Methodist School, headed by the

Sir Honry Havelock Drum and Fife Band, conducted by Mr Daniel Webb: Superintendent, Mr D. Goldio ; 25 teachers and 335 scholars. 0, Pitt and Edwin etreet Primitive Methodist : Superintendent, Mr G. Turloy j 18 teachers and 140 scholars 7. Newton Congregational. As the Super intondenr.Mr Enoch Wood.was unabla to at tendowingtoindisposition.theseniorteacher, Mr John Ellyett, took command. Therewere ,38 toacheri and 352 scholars. 8. Franklin %oartPrimitive Methodist: Superintended, Mr J. Booth ; 17 teachers and 170 scholars 9. PonEonby Wosleyan : Superintendent, Mr Soußter ; 20 teachers and 270 scbolaie. 10 i'itt-street United free Mothodi3t: .Superintendent, Mr W. Knight; 21 teachers Hhd 19S scholars. The Mount Edon Baptiet Vbnool joined the proems-ion at the Domain, 1* teachers and 122 scholars. A large crowd assembled to see the schools march oH En route, the children aB usual enlivened tho proceedings by einging thoir anniversary hymns, and in somo instances popular choruses of a decidedly secular character. Some of the Jubilee eongs wore also introduced. Tho procession, wbicH was aver" lonf? one, want along Karanga hape Road, down Lower Symonds-streot and Grafton Road, and thence "P *h° hill into the Domain. One end et the line was disappearing at the top of the Domain paddock while the rear had not .passed the Choral Hall. Owing to the handsome banners and gay bannerets, also the tasty dresses, bright sashes and ribbons of the girla, who, as usual, greatly preponderated in number?, the procession as it passed presented a beautiful picture The infant oWs wore al conveyed to the Domain in vehicles, in .order that the li'tlo one™ mi K ht nut be tired out with the walk. Arrived at the Domain, the band stood at top of the hill piling lively tunes as^tho Echools marched past, and loft the pro cession for their respective camping grounds. This year the Domain presented, more tho appearanco of au English JJ»ir than a Sunday-School ffito. There vverp no less than three sots of swing "boofe, and during the day several accidants occurred to children who were thrown from ?bo boats. Ono little fellow struct his head violently.and at first it■«" "WfiWlge .... seriously iDJured, bat tho fears oyji? Xoting ygaUenes,and h the n Same gr numbe A » a Of, SfITSn XX?r awa Bs liberally P™°f™^ a* was drawn by a real horse, and the tiap ;Z£* "'it^^rAme-U Aon, batio T.oupe were al.o in attendance and are as offensive as their language is disgust i,,L' Numerous compliints were mado gn cirla and even went so far as to afield in order to protect tno children from insult. Already uoiiio*of the Sunday schools have recognised this .necessity, and declined to tako part in tho annual gather-

'"At ]"30 o'clock tho chil*en formed in circles round their respective touts, and were provided with ample lunch. At 1.-o most of the schools assemble Win tho slope of tho Domain to order for the first time to unitedly sing a number of hyinne. la the front wae tho Garrison Band, which led the EingiDß. Mr Frith, the conductor was perched in n buggy Sear the band, and did his beat to keop tho children together, but without success. Naturally tho band played in correct timo, but the various schools eang apparently independant 01 tno conductor's baton, with tbo result that in tho better known tune» sueh*g All Hail tho l'owor of .Jeßu'aName,"-«nd tho Old Hundreth, some schools aggro finishing the third lino of one verse When the others were ready to comufcneo tbo next.* Of coureo it must boteniombcrod that this is tho first introduction of tigs united singing, and therefore certain altlwances«raueo be roado on that account.,* i?urin"p the morning and afternoon the children amuecd themselves in tho usual wvy with games and races. The Garrison Band visited various ecHliolb during tho day, and played suitable musical selec tions, which greatly lidded to the en joyment of tho festev.V.. At 430 o'clock tei wa3 provided, and about an hour and a half afterward the younger children again formed into proco?sMß> and, headed by the Sir Henry H;iv.elock™rum and Fife Band, started for homo aftor spending a most en joyable day. Poa=onl)y Baptist Sunday-school. The teacher?, scholars md friends of the Ponsonby Baptist Sunday-school, in num ber aborit; three hundred, assembed on Saturday laet for their annual festival in a paddock at Marine Parade, Homo Bay, kindly lent them by Mr Field. The young folka arrived on the ground about ten o'clock, and from *that time until 7 p.m. had a continuous round of enjoy ment. Between the meals the scholars and visitors had frequent draughts of*gitiger beer, *lr Grey having generously sent a cask full for free distribution. A large quantity of good toys, sweets, etc, were given away among the youngster?, adding greatly to tho delight of tho occasion. The City Hall.

The Great Gun Combination and Federal Variety (Company appeared at the City Hall on Saturday evening last. There was a good atterfllance, and the performance passed off very satisfactorily. The first part of the programme included several very good items, one of the best being the patriotic song, "God Bless |b.e Dear Old Land," by Mr G. Harrison: Miss Glen-, denning: pang " Bid Me Good-bye^ and Go " very nicely, and was loudly applauded, so was also Miss Amy de Courcy for her rendering of " The Wooden Rocker." The comic selections entitled " The Lime Kiln, Club," by Johnny Collins, aud "She Trotted Jkfe Off to Church," by Willie Perr man, wore also worthy of mention. In the stcor.d half of the programme Signor Gon zalos appeared on the invisible wire, and achiovcd some new and difficult feats, which wero loudly agplauded. Tho talented Perr man family again appeared in their aero batiodieplayand statue clog dance, wbfchaa usual was one of the features of the enter taimneiit. The sensation of the evening came off very successfully,-Kola being fired from hor great gun^n the stage and caught by Signor Gonzala for the fourth time in succession since their appearance in Auck land. Tho programme concraded with an amusing farco entitled " Darwin's Missing Link."

The Gairloch Excursion to Kawhia.

V Sir (EY TKLKt;KAPU-«OWN CORKESPONDENT),

Kawuia, this day. The Gairlocb, with over forty excursionists from Auckland, arrived on Saturday morn ing. Two days have been spent in visiting the Limestone Caves, Hot Springs, and other beauties and wonders of the place. To-day the natives aro arriving frohi a'l parts of the district to take part in the annual sports and regatta, the Gairloch being thg flagship, Tho woather is splen did, and the arrangements of the Northern e.s. Company and agent here are everything that could be desired.

New Year's Day Casualties.

(BY TELKGKArH.—PBESS ASSOCIATION.)

TiMAr.u, Sunday. A distressing fatal boat accident happened here on New Year's Day. A party of seven young men went out sailing, and just got clear of the breakwater when the boat cap sized. One roan, named Berrel, pot drowned. The others wore saved with difficulty by the Harbour Board's boat.

Donedin, Sunday. The excursionists on board the steamer Shag were startled while proceeding down the bay by an explosion, followed by clouds of steam from the boiler-room. Many had a narrow escape of being scalded, while many others narrowly escaped going over board with the rush. It was sooq ascer tained that the cap of the eafety valve had been blown off, and that there was no danger.

On the return trip of the Tekapo from Oamaru one of the paesengere, whoee name is uDknown, went up the riggiDg and was tkylarkiog, when he fell overboard. The alarm was given, when one of the lamp trimmers jumped over after the man. A boat was immediately lowcied and Ihe laaiptriuiaer picked up, but nothing could bo seen of the pasfengor. This occurred just at tha iioads. The body has uut bcon recovered.

GROWING ACCIDENT.

Tub festivities of New Year's Eve w unfortunately, associated with a drowi accident. The chief officer of the ( C ho Torpa'tMr Shephotd); ljrtng off thgeo th<f Hobfonstrecfc Wharf, reported to ( # tabl*MacUyato 15a.rn.-os Saturdavm ifig that' Richard Rich, cook of tbe'aohoo had boenroissingsinceia.m. of thatdav was supposed to haveimet with drown Rich and the chief officer left the Wf men's Steps at 3 a.m. on tho let in a b and arrived safely on the vessel. lii c h was under the influence of liqaor, took of coat,, nnd laid "it on thj ta n t, and ■ chiof-ofllcer. turned in at-3,20a.m le^ Rich on-deck.. At->^p <un, ona of nitto : seamen named- Job u?>oke chief officer,' and told him ttvat the cook "missing, and another native taamed Gee stated that he saw the" cook silting on main rail df the port eide.appartntly BE ll a t 4 a.m. This waa tha last seen. 6ttij B col and as ho could have had no commuafcajf with tho shore, the boat boing left n e i of the. schooner, it was concluded til bo had accidentally fallen over $c 81 and been drowned. Constable Uaci of tho water police, proceeded;jo | schooner, immediately on recoiling I formation of tho accident, and'tourl for the body, but without success, fopfl Thomas Rogers, master of the ichod Tcrrea, also lent overy assistance,, t n d several of tho Kanaka seamen; to a s in the search by diving in the vicinity o f schooner. All efforts in this direction,, h •ever, proved fruitless, and the Match to boreluctantly abandoned. -.Ifcis'jiobi fhat tha body was carried up thariyaby tido, which.at the time of thsjtdd would have been on the flood. Ki^ wi single man, 45 years of age, and a Bjtivi Yorkshire, England.

A Sad Ending of a Dane.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOainoN.

CuniSTCHBECu, Satnrda-

D'AiniiL Gliace has been cdmmitte^ for t at South Bakaia on a charge of attcmp murder. He quarrelled with James Bn at a dance, and it ia alleged that aa latterwas roturniag home metUalani tempted to shoot him. Hi« gnhjliowe' did not go off owing to tbe cap befog fectivo. •vjsf.

Accident to a Sleep-Walked.

[•iV TKLE&ItiPU—PRESS ASSOCiinON.

WELLIKGTOIf, thiaaa; A jJas named Burns walked,out of window at Gear's meat shop-dijtbg sleep, and smashed, his leg badly.

AUCKLAND RIFLE ASSOCIA TION.

On Saturday morning, at S.3i) o'clock, annual competition of the momiera of above association took placoatweMo Edonßifloßango. ThoreweroiS9competit which include representatives ficvn > Th.imee, Wairoa, and Waiuku ,Volante Lieutenant Colonel Dignan; Majors I and Birnie, Captains Payne and .Schofi and a number of others were praient on , range, and assisted in the carrying oul 3 the competition.- -Lieut. Keeaing, of • Waitemata Navale, and Msesrs I> Hot ham and Spinley acted aa register-keepi A large number of visitors were prei I during the day, amongst whom;#e riotl ! Mr Beck, who exhibited manifest into ! in the contoßt for his cup. li-theaf noon the wind wasi rather ' consequently rendered good shooting so what difficult, and as a result some of crack eliota were throvfrn outC-of tja reckompgs. Some competitors Used Capit;,', Whitney's ammunition^ and others ..■: imported. The following are the ecoreß| 2nd Match-Beck's Cijp. RaDgos: 200.9K and 500 yurfls; ft ye ehotß at each range. 135 cuo can only bo won by a fflembsr Wwl Auckland Garrison. Entrance, 2a Gd. m •SOOJdSWiljif Bergti C. _P. Taylor, GoVddtio, lrt ■ piizo. Captain Hazarar»Winchsa- *ii ter rjfloand j£3.. ■ - *i ''.. 3D S^ Corporal Thomas. T tl.B>i:£t 10s .. p ft »v«. Gunner J. D. Webster,:'A" Bat- I I'M tery,£l ■"';,-■>. -. J7 HH Voluntser Itntberhair. Q.0.U./15a ja *X HerueantSoall, City Guatda, 163 ..j» «8 Volunteor Hawk. T.U.i'^lßa •■«# ,M» UuonerPayno, •• A" Battery. 10s.. X Mil LieutecaDtL.Uto.Hobaoiis.lo3 .-saj vm Voluoteer Shaw, Wairoa Wflea, ICaite US Seiyt. Hodßkinson, "O"Bat,7B6d||B X* Sergt, Jenkinson^ Hobaone, 7s 64 ..38 Wm Trp -. BarribaU, Waiuku Uavairy. SMS W Corporal Coutis, Wairoa Bifles, bf26 ;Hia Llout -ifant Cooper, "Victorias, &6 26 Hn Lieut. Hay, Gordons. S3 .. I'SB jM Hergt Kot:e, Victorias, counted at , 9 Ist Match—Ranges : 200 and 30Jyards;raK shots at each range. Entrance!} 6d. |j Handler, Victorias, Beck's Cvi •; !; and£l _!2>lßc»fij C!. Llttic, Hobsoss. £110 a.. .. 17 nytM A. Hendersou,"A"Battßry,fil . 15 B frSf Captain George." O " Battery, 103 16 aMI Lieutenant Leigh. Gordons, 155.. 13 SlHal F.CreiKhton.Walioa Rifles. 155.. !l «!Wt| Thomas Thames R.R., 10s • .. SI KtiSi Sterling, City Guards. 103.. .. 18 lip JWelr. Thamss Nsvals. 10a.. .. 17 U-* Gentry. ihamcsßaDKers. 756 d.. 19 wl Lieut. Little, Hobsons. 7s 6d .. 20 Sgt Capt. Lucaa, Thames Bangers, 5s 21 J*i Sergt. Jenkinßon, Hobsone, 5s .. 21 fljj Serut. C. Taylor, Gordons, 5a :.. 16 SWj Sergt. Cox, Gordons, 53 .«S .. 19 »f The leading men for the aggregates!' are aa follows :—, : C. Taylor, Gordona.. .. .. .. ® Handley, Victorias - .. .. .. « Thnmas. TbamfsK.R. .. .. .. « Jenkins on, Uobsonn .. .. —.• fisl Hodgiuison, " 0.." Battary .. -'wSt Coooor, Victorias .. ~. .- .. Wffiß C. Little. Hobsona .. .. ... ..-UsS Rose, VictorißS .. « A. Payne, " A" Battery MSB C. Little, Hobsona .. .. .. .. Jam Henderson. "A" Battery- .. .. WSS Biuribal], Waiuku .. i. .. .. Wj| Leigh, Gordona .. .. .. .. ll Hnwk, T.R.li», .. ...'., .. .. M\ J. D. WebstSP'A" Battsry ..... M White, Gordons .. ..... .. I3| Lucas. T.R.B ( .. .. |9| George. "O" Battery .. ■-'■ .. .. *J| Weir, Thames Navals „ .. .. •W| Soall, City Guards .. .. .. -.., ;.:Am| Stirlinsr, City Guards .. ... .. »H| Floyd, Thames Navala '.'. 7.., " ■ ivgS O'Hanlon, Hohsons*; .. .. .. i.jgi Sbaw, Wairoa Rifles .. .. .. *.»S! Jones, Victorias •■ , ..'■ >"!

TO-DAY'S FIRING.!

At the firing today at the meeting**™ Auckland Kiflo Association, there «a good mußter of Volunteer soldiers ml*V tors. Business began at 7.30, the W"^r beingrathor bright, butotherwiflegoodW ing weather, f eihaps the most-intoAtbg match to the outside public W» I?' day waß that for Captain WuroJ^ prize. We could n«ft help iiioBWR the dangerous proximity o£ soßMCwftoi stono-breakors in the quarry to theft**' fire, one beiog only 4 yards irom the IW'' fire to No. 5 target. The Cititb^'b Tbophyandprizas;3iaiig«®° yaidß, 10 shotfr' ;lt ,'S'

This resulted as follows:— ' Hodgklnson, "O" Battery, CSUrans'lroplir Cooper, Victorias, 30a >..'/,: I>*u •• S Andereon, "A" Battery. ZOs ..' ■•• •• 2f aiiriin?,. City Guards, 15a.. ;. ,-•. •• §{ Cupiain White, Gordons, 15a :..■■• •■ 5i gaok Thames Rangers, 15a .. - •• * "aniloy. Victorias. 10a .. _ ■■ •• f C. Little, I-lobnonH. io« . .. ■•• S LeiKh, Gordons. 10a .. " !. .» .• » RothiThp*- w

RothiTham, Queen's Own. 7b 6d.. ... •• $ Bamdall, Waiuku L'avalry. 7a6d ."••■ •■ Ji Crejghton. WairoaHifles.fe .. •• ■■% J. D. Wob,tor, A Bavttry, 5j .. .. •■ S Cur, Gordots,63 . ~' •• V G. Webster. A Battery, ss. '. '.. .. ■■ « The following winners won various pnffls presented by the eitizen3 :— : Thorburn .; J6 o\Wanlan .. .... •• , g Taylor .. L J ...... a Beale .. .. ~ ■" •■..86 | omwLib-. 0186 aDd Serei' Kos'b werecOMtta The Whitney Prize Maioh-Foi Auftb" 4" I made ammunition only; rango 500 yat& j The firing for this prize was Witched j with great interest as the final test :ot the j Auckland-made cartridges, but: in spite I of the good prizes offered, £6 10a "• I all, and the splendid shooting weather I prevailing at the time, the wind being I from the northwards, the scores obtained I were very bad. The misses ««»«■; all round the targets, and two or three wett I dangerously wide. .One marksman, fuiog I at No. 1 target, hit the ground beneath N 0.,! 3, and the same kind of thing occurred j twice to different marksmen, yolunteerl Downey, as good a marksman almost as W8 I have iv the colony, refused to finish hial complement of ten shots Ut tiiet, being so disgusted with the result of his using the I caitridges. We could not help, however, I nuticiny that the majority "$f the men | firing in this match fired carelessly, I as ii piejudiced againet tbe cartridges, and' did uoc give them really a faic tiial. On; the other trnnd, however, there were marks- S men v.ho took every care iv using them, " with ihe poor reealts, the following scores chow: —

Lieut. F. l>elKhton, Wairoa Rifles. 30a. Hodgkiueoa, O Battery. £1 Capt. White, uordoos, 16s

fE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, MONDAY. JANUARY 8, 1887.



rnius & jj a>l l, CABINETMAKERS, UPBOL3TBSERS, AND I ■CARPET WAREEOUSEWaP. I CALfc OT QURiFLDS 'C&TOCK. FOB QH B MONTH, j AT G«EATi,Y REDUCED PRICES, AND TEN PERCENT. DISCOUNT* > ■«() ipSR CENT. ON ALL CASH PURCHASES DURING iihb MONTH of? DECEMBER. WINKS & HALL, BHORTLANDBTRKB!S\ \\f ANTED KNOWN. KAMO COLLIERY OFFICE Removed trom Messrs MltchelßOn and Co.'S ro Office formorly coupled by Wwra fate H. N. Smith's), 19.^ QaocneftreoU DR. G. L. L. L A W 8 O X May be consulted till his departure at Mr Kendkrdiice's, Kabanqahate Eoad. From 9 to 10 a.m. 2 to 3 p.m. „ 6to 7 p.m. Messages may be left with Mt Kanderdlno. QFIGIAL NOTIOB. MILNK & OHOYCE respectfully Intimate t« their Friends and the Public that their Estab lishment WILL BB CLOSED AT 2 P.M. ON SATURDAY, and Rk-ofkned on MONDAY MORNING, instead of THURSDAY aa here tofore. ,& . . # MILNE & CHOYCE Hutu now opened up their _jjfXg t SPRING AND SUMMER Sg,T"to their Ana would ben to subn>»-' Deln X lhe friends and the,sri' FASHIONABLE NEWEST AN^CfOODS *. in the Borne Markets, and also of ~ being of **$ EXCEPTIONAL VALUE. MILLINERY,-MANTLES, DUST CLOAKS. in Groat Variety and of Prices and Styles LAWN TKNNIS end other Tailor-made JACKETS GAIiZK and other SUMMER SHAWLS HANI) BAGS. FANS. MADE UP LACE GOODS, &C. ( LARGEST AND BEST VARIETY OF DRESS MATERIALS In the trade. The Newest designs from the Homo and Continental Markets, at Terr Moderate Prices. A Special Line In 2 button JOSEPHINE KID GLOVES. Is lid. usually 4a 6d Also aevernl Lines of CU FFB AND COLLARS LACK COLLARS, &0.. hftltprioe LADIES1 COTTON HOSE, good value, from is 6d LADIH.S' LISLE HOSK, do. da 2s lid ■aDIKS1 SPUN SILK. do. do. Is lid HILDRKN'S inproDortion jABY LINKN, AND LADIES' AND CHILD REN'S UNDERCLOTHING, of every do ' - scrlption TROUSSEAUX AND. LAYETTES on the . shortest notice •* JBAMILY LINEN, MANCHESTER GOODS, CURTAINS. ANTIMACCASSARS, In new JOYS* HATS, CbLLARS, tea., &o. 5 PER CENT. DISCOUNT FOR CESH. MILNE & CHOYCE, AUCKLAND. China, Glass, * Earthen WARE. JOHN L7WILSON 3ae now a large and well-assorted Btook on hand, Imported direct from the Manufacturers, jISRIBIMAS PSESENIS 1 New Yeab's Gifts ! BIRTHDAY PbESEOTS I Wedding Presents t Special Attention 1b Invited to the Stock HNNER SERVICES/ TEA SETS, TOILET JETS, iGLASSWARE, OBNAMTENTS, &a. rVhich for Variety and Cheapness combined Is unequalled in Auckland. I It oral Discount allowed to Largo Consumers, inch m Hotel. Restaurant, and Boarding-house Proprietor?. K-B for Cash an the Lowest in Town >r Subuibs. Please note the Address^- :\ 267— QUMf -[ ..."^ ~^T—267 (OppositeTutr """*■f \*~" %tudio).



w< tic THREAT CLEARING OUT BALE / V* »'£lo,oo0 WOHTHof A; BOOTS AND SHOES, gt FOR ONE MONTH . ot AT GREAT REDUCTIONS 'FOR CASH, Ik TO MEET THB! TIMES, THOS. ELLISON -y IS NOW BELLIN3 OFF HIS LARGE STOCK fa BOOTS AND SHOES iX n^TlW^i^ON^ °NX THETTOLLOWING^EW GOODS AT MUCK CHILD'S PATENT ELASTIC BOOT 3, 1 TO 5,19 Cn?L#S PKID ELASTIC BOOTS, 2 '*O 5. fe GIUtX^Ktp^&STIO BOOTS. 10 -TO 1. lsW> i GIfuI^KH^KLASTIC BOOTS, » *O i. Bs'CD GIBISv KID ELASTIC BOOTS, iO'jOI.GS PER; All otfcec rjfl&ds equally ohoap. ALLtJESCRIPTTONS OF BOOTS MADE. TO OKDER ON THE PREMISES, i EMPTY TRUNKS FOR SALE CHEA'P.j THO H. ELLI SO N, BOOTMAKER AND IMTORTEB, 71, QUEKN-. BTKKKI, ri TYING TTP . H. a"t~K IN Bj, . HAVINO DECIDED TO KEILIK(iUI3H THB : CARPET TRADE ' HABMABKPD DOXVN HIS I.AHGE BTOCK tiF CARPHfra TO I.ANDKD COST PRICE. Th« Stbok has botn Imported rtlroot, ana th» ! Pattercs personally selected. Thore ate a lurgd : "^SaELBTTAgIIY^D KIDDSR- ! And theprlcos a* whloh th y are m*rkod will bo t>nua lower than Bvcr boforo cbr.recd In A-nckumO. HKARTHRUG3 TO MATCH (IARPICTB I BKUVVKI) TO COST PRICK, : 4.N OVKBBTOCK Of'sOO PAIRS LONG COR- : TAINS, AT 20 PKR ORNT. OFF PRKBBNT ' PRICES. AN OVKR9TOCK OF BLANKETS AT RKDUOBD PRICKS, AN OVBRSTOCK OF nRKTONNKS. TAnLE UN«K. DAM *RK >fAPKINS, AND O I'HKH JfURNI3HI*fa GOODS AT REDUCKD PRICKS. OiiEAP MNKB ll* DRE9BEB, ULSTERS, FURLINSD CLOAKS, ko. 18" B^°T?^N^LL Agg jf B S T CHEAP, H. AT KIN I. "&■ ■»«•«- ,vTONLAUNDRY," '* _ kab tbmTop), EBtabllßhed 1880. Vleltora to, and Residents of, Anoklana »« UshmenL ■TAB, Jj| oflllK IV, GBNERAL DRAPER, Bta. KBMO V H D TO PUROHAS'B BUILDING B, Karamgahapb road, Lat* Victoria strkii. /Nhristmab cards \j A KELSEY'S, opposltt the Town Olook. I TAPANESB CURIOS tl At KELSEY'S. opposite the Town Clock. TENNIS RiCKETS At KKLSKY'S, opi Mite the Toirn Clock, v CjILVER JEWELLERY (5 At KBLSEY'd, opposite tho Town Clook. < TWTO IMITATION JEWELLERY J3( At KBLSBY'3, opposite the Town Olook. ■jiANC.Y GQ.ODS of every kind h £ At KELS'BY'S, opposite tho Town Clook. HAND-SEWN BOOTS, specially aalt able tor the warm woather, light Bn i] Bufv Eivinsr Kreat comfort to thoae r ftlio^oo with tender Vet-WM. MILLBR & bON, P^ric'ea »Ll«hUr oyetJjnnorta?' »f"«*- n JM— Kl* PBINT3, DRESSES. MILUNERT, HOSIBRY, fco. MOW SHOWING. PrfOM law at usual. Ijbndid Let PIONIC HA'ia, from M. - ..i^l W. ?.' OGILVm % TIOTOBIA-STBy?* "g"1 ' w , _^»i» of Oalen, it wua eupposed I rheumatism wbs caused by wind—at I Ji joint-, hence tbo derivation, from rheum, wind. Latter-day science hao diaDclled thia fal lacy, but left us little wiser aa to tno origin of rheumatism. Gout, its twin brother, is heredit ary beyond doubt Tho relief of those painful dieeaesi puts tho skill of our best doctors to the moot severe tetts. and it bai been found that n raarkable relief ia afforded by the use of f nake not, tho ao'earucemosa (cimicifueo) or black cohoeh. The compound Kluid Extract of Snake Boot, as prepared at the tharmaoy, Queen-atreet, is an inf«llible gout and rheumatic remedy ; price, 6a per bottle.



Eagle'ou's Electric Baths. Stt> adver tisement 3i<l page.