SHIPPING.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

AKEIVALS

Auckland, s.s., 533 tons, B. Paddle, from Sydney. Samson, p.s., 120 tons, Mundle, from Wangarei. Tawera, schooner, 55 tons, Kennedy, from Poverty Bay. Jane, schooner, 37 tons, from Bay of Islands.

Leonidas, schooner, 79 tons, Norris, from Bay of Islands. Heather Bell, cutter, 24 tons, Darn, from Mahurangi.

DEPARTURES.

Comerang, p.s., 125 tons, T. Chrisp, for Napier. Tauranga s.s., 67 tons, Cellem, for Bay of Islands'. Tauranga, schooner, 60 tons Moller, for Tauranga.

IMPORTS.

Per 9.5. Airedale, from Southern Ports :— 50 boxes tea, J. Frazer and Co. ; 3 packages, Phillips; 6 cases, Gilfillan ; 1 package, Seccombe ; 1 box gold, 1117 oz3 16 dwts. 21 grains, Union Bank of Australia; 1 ditto, 1100 ozs., Bank of New South Wales; 6 packages, Smith ; 37 packages, Clark and Son, 176 bales flax (for transhipment), Na than ; 1 case, Jervis ; 3 kegs butter, Barnes; 11 cases, Hood ; 26 kegs, Clark. —Henderson and Macfarlane, agents. Per s.s. Auckland, from Sydney ; 1 parcel, G. Thome ; 1 parcel, H. Black ; 1 parcel, T. J. Gardiner; 1 parcel, W. H. Levin ; 1 trunk, Mrs. Leedham ; 72 bags bone dust, order ; 5 parcels, 2 cases, A. G. Price ; 1 box, L. D. Nathan; 1 cask, 2 cases, 12 nests tubs, New man ; 1 case, order ; 5 cases, 1 bale, J. E. Cole; 3 bars iron, Frazer ; 3 cases, Henry Marsh; 3 quarter-casks wine, F. Fisher ; 3 boxes, H. B. Morton ; 2 cases, J. Cosgrave ; 1 case, A. Clarke and Son ; 5 cases, 2 casks, 2 bags, Hamilton Brothers; 1 case, H. Webpter; 52 bags maize, order ; 3 cases, Thos. Baker ; 3 bales leather, J. Rout; 2 cases, order,- 2 ditto, A. G. Bartlett; 13 ditto, 1 package, Thos. frail; 1 case, J. Solomon ; 5 boxes, F. H. Lewisson ; 2 cases, order; 1 case, H. Jones ; 1 case, J. Cosgrave ; 2 cases, order ; 1 parcel, E. Wayte ; 2 cases, G. J. Smith ; 2 coils rope, Brown; 1 case, T. H. Hall; 1 parcel, Bank of New Zealand ;20 cases fruit, S. H. Smith ; 7 bags grass seed, 1 bag lucerne, "VV. Seccombe ; 1 parcel, J. W. Crombie ; 2 cases, 1 block, S. Simpson; 24 cases fruit, W. Marshall; 1 bale leather, B. Grittos ; 3 casks ware, 2 cases chimneys, Newman & Co. ; 1 parcel, Mrs. Eidings; 102 bags maize, G. Sibbin ; 1 case, A. Clarke and Son ; 1 parcel, G. Thome ; 1 case, Humby ; 1 parcel, Capt. Blick; 1 case, Cadell; 1 parcel, Ireland Brothers ; 3 coils rope, 20 ash oars, Cadell; 1 parcel, H. Kohn ; 1 ditto, A. G. Bartlett; 1 ditto, Thomas Baker ; 1 ditto, Thomas Trail; 1 ditto, Samuels and Co. ; 1 ditto, G. Williamson; 1 ditto, F. H. Lewisson; 1 ditto, J. Solomon; 3 cases boots, 1 parcel, leather, J. H. Home; 5 cases boots, Moses Brothers ; 12 cases apples, G. Sibbin ; 6 cases fruit, S. H. Smith ; 43 bags maize, Simmonds ; 62 bars iron, Cadell; 3 parcels, Moses Brothers. —H. M. Jervis, agent.

The schooner Fiery Ci'oss for Fijis has been detained till to-morrow.

Captain Adams has taken command of the p.s. Lady Bowen. The schooner Leonidas from the Bay of Islands brings 50 tons slack coal, 25 do. gum, 10 empty casks, 4 bids, 2 bundle skins. Island City.—We are pleased to learn that Captain J. J. Atteridge has been ap pointed master of the cattle barqiie Island City. This vessel will sail for Gladstone early. Tawera. —The schooner Tawera arrived in harbour on Sunday morning. She left Poverty Bay on the previous Sunday, and experienced a succession of gales throughout. In conse quence of the heavy sea on the coast,- Captain Kennedy was compelled to come on with a quantity of cargo he had on board for the coast. The Tawera bring the following cargo, for Auckland —56 bags grass seed, 5 caskß pork, 3 casks tallow, 1 screw press, and 18 hides. The ketch Wild Duck had returned from the coast, and wa3 loading sheep at Poverty Bay for this port. Kate. — The Circular Saw barque Kate, Captain Cooper, left Sydney for this port on Saturday, the 7th instant, and may be ex pected in harbour early. Passengers—Messrs. J. Hayman, A. Moses, W. Green, R. Biel, G. Webber, and 4in the steerage. Cargo—2o gunnies" sugar, Colonial Sugar Co ; 3 cases brandy, 1 case geneva, 2 bags sugar, 1 cask ale, 10 barrels currants, J. Frazer and Co ; 4 packages, Hoffnung and Co; 500 felloes, 240 coal sacks, 150 tons coal, 1 pair wheels, 1 pair shafts, 3 packages, Laidley, Ireland and Co; 167 bags bone dust, H. Bell; 2 carts, «T. Harvey ; 16 casks wine, A. S. Webster ; 290 felloes, Smith, Cahill and Co ; 200 bags maize, Blake and McDonald; 199 bags maize, Nipper and See; 484 bags maize, 1 dray, 50 bags bone dust, C. B. Bond; 16 bales leather, Alderson and Sons.

Captain Fox, vrho arrived in the Manutau on Saturday morning, -with the Government p.s. Sturt, received orders to proceed to Napier without delay, in order to take charge of his old boat, the Government p.s. St. Kilda. Captain Fox left by the Comerang on Satur day evening.

ARRIVAL OF THE AUCKLAND.

The A.S.N. Company's s.s. Auckland, Capt. B. Paddle, arrived in harbour yesterday morning from Sydney. She brings about twenty saloon and steerage passengers, and a general cargo. Captain Paddle reports leaving Sydney on Sunday, May 3th, at 10.10 a.m. ; cleared the Heads at 11 a.m., and passed the Three Kings at 11.15 a.m. Saturday, May 14th ; passed Tiri Tiri at noon, and arrived in harbour at 1 p.m. yesterday. Experienced light easterly -winds first part of passage; moderate easterly -winds and fine weather to Three Kings, and moderate N. and N.E. •winds and cloudy weather on the coast. The barque Kate, which left Sydney on the 7th instant, was spoken on Sunday evening, the Bth instant, and the s.s. Hero, hence to Sy<l ney, also passed during the passage. The following is a list of the passengers by the Auckland: —Miss Hodge, Mr. Stanely, Mr. Ridings, Mrs. A. Wisher, Mr. and Mrs. Cole and servant, Mr. and Mirs. Bolger, Capt. Cadell, Messrs. Stuart, Lucas, and Caifrey.

ARRIVAL OF THE JOHN PENN.

The fine s.s. John Perm, Captain JI. Carey, arrived in the Manukau yesterday morning at 9 a.m., from Wanganui and the West Coast. The Perm sailed from Hokitika on Monday, the £>th instant, at 3 o'clock p.m., and arrived in Greymouth the same tide. Disehar^ed 10 tons of cargo, and shipped 105 tons oi coal, and sailed for Northern ports on Tuesday at 5 p.m., arriving in Westport early the following morning. Sailed again the same day at 5 p.m., and arrived in Wanganui on Thursday at 9 o'clock p.m. Shipped a full cargo of stock on Friday, and sailed the same day at 9 o'clock p.m., arriving in the Manukau as abovo. Experienced fine weather through out the passage.

Passengers.—Mrs. Heydc and child, Miss Kir by, Mrs. Mabin, Misses Brewer (2), Mrs. Savage, Mr. Marks, Mr. Dunckley, Mr. Smith, Mr. Seaton, Mr. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Plaisted and family, Mr. Levenski. We are indebted to Mr. Gillion for full files of papers.

SAFETY OF THE CHARLES EDWARD.

We learn from Captain Kennedy of the s.s. Airedale, that the s.s. Charles Edward, sup posed to have been lost, has arrived at Nelson. No particulars have been received, only that the engines broke down and she drifted off the land. She was sighted off Cape Farewell by the s.s. | Rangitoto. The following tele gram was received at Wanganui by Captain Carey, from Messrs. Edwards and Co., of the s.s. John Perm, with reference to this vessel: — "In Bay, Lady Barkley just gone out for her."

TOTAL WRECK OF THE CHALLENGE AT THE MANUKAU HEADS.

FURTHER PARTICTTIARS

Immediately on the receipt of the intelli gence of the stranding of the Challenge, the Government despatched the Sturt in charge of Captain Fairchild, to see if any assistance could be rendered. The steamer left One hunga at 6 p.m. on Saturday, and at daybreak yesterday morning one of the owners of the schooner, Captain Hobbs, and Captain Fair child landed and proceeded to the wreck When the party arrived they found that the vessel's bottom was out, and the mainmast was falling over her side. The only particu lars we have been able to gather of the unfortunate accident are as fol low :— " The schooner left Eose's mill with a full cargo of timber. She went out with a fair wind, and while crossing the bar the wind suddenly died away, and the vessel was left to the mercy of the waves She gradually drifted towards the shore, and struck on the rocks near the cliffs at the South Head. The crow clung to the rigging till the tide recede d, when they were enabled to walk ashore. Captain Wing was at the pilot station when the accident happened, and immediately put off to see. if he could render any assist ance. One of the sails was brought ashor from the vessel and a tent pitched .in which the crew might pass the night. On Saturday morning Captain Hobbs came to Onehunga, seeing no possibility of saving the vessel or cargo ; but as he returned again to the scene of the wreck we have not beeu able to get the full particulars of the occurrence. An inquiry will, no doubt, be held by the Collector of Customs to-morrow. We see by advertise ment that the wreck is to be sold by auction, at 11 o'clock to-da.y, at Onehunga, by Mr. Binney.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Stae Office, Monday afternoon SALE OF SHOTOYER SHARES.

There was a very numerous attendance at Mr. Newman's Sale Rooms this morning. The 1,400 shares in the Shot-over Gold Mining Company, were sold in one lot at Bs. Small parcels have since changed hands at 9s. 6d. to 10s.; and they have still a rising tendency.

WRECK OF THE CHALLENGE.

The schooner Challenge as she now lies stranded at the Manukau Heads was sold by auction to-day at OnehizDga, by Mr. G. W. Binney, and realised £20.

Mr. G. Sibbin's auction mart was well atten ded on Saturday, and the following are the quotations for sorre of the articles disposed of : —Wheat, 4s 4£d to 4s 6d ; oats (damaged) 2s 3d to 2s 9d ; potatoes, 3s ; bacon, 9d to 10P ; flour, 12s 6d ; pumpkins, 4s 6d; pork, 4d lb ; cheese (inferior), 6|d to 7d.

C. Arthur and Son report the following prices realised at their sale on Saturday :— Fowls, lid to 3s each ; ducks, 13 8d to 2s 4d each ; turkeys, 4s to 4s 2d each ; e;eese, 5s 9d each ; pea fowls, 5s 9d each ; potatoes, 2s 6d to 3s per cwt ; onions, Id to 2£d per lb ; bacon, 6d to lOd per lb ; fresh butter, 10£ dto Is If d. per lb ; salt, 5d to 6Jd per lb ; box tea, 18s to 23s 6d; flour, £12 per ton. Not yery brisk sale for furniture.

POLICE COURT.

The following is the rota of attendance of magistrates at the Police Court:— Tuesday, May 17 —Messrs. J. O\N"eill, M. O'Eourke. "Wednesday, May 18—Messrs. C. H Otway, G. B. Owen. Thursday, May 19 —Messrs

G. P

Pierce, K. P. Porter. Friday, May 20—Messrs. Thomas Eit chie, A. K. Taylor. Saturday, May 21 — Messrs. D. B. Thornton, H. H. Turton. J. Cunningham, Clerk of Court.

The Evening Star. MONDAY, MAY 16, 1870.

Four individuals appeared to-day in the Police Court, to render an account for over-indulgence in the cup that ine briates as well as cheers. A deserter, evidently finding that freedom has its responsibilities and duties which may become irksome, had determined to re turn to the ease and freedom from anxiety found in military life in times of " piping peace," and gave himself over to the Bench, which ordered him a free passage to

Sydney that he might rejoin his regiment. We think it would do no harm to put him through a little drill as a trial, lest he might, after obtaining a passage to Sydney at the expense of his country, find that he uad mistaken himself for some other per son. The only other case was a charge of wife desertion. An oily-tongued cobbler, who expressed unaltered love for wife and children, but who had left them for three years to chance and Providence, was ordered to pay 20s. a week for their sup port, to his evident surprise and disap pointment. He was clearly under the impression that his tale of woe, relating to his crippled state, and his anxiety for his family and his desires to live with them, aud wholly support them, had a telling effect on the Bench. But, unfortunately for his cause, the Police Oourt has a sad effect in blunting the finer feelings of nature, and making its officers look with unpitying eye away down into people's real thoughts and disposi tions. His tongue has not delivered him —his awls and wax-ends may. Against the burthen of wife and children, eloquence has not availed him, and now " there's nothing like leather. John Wormall was taken into custody this morning, for grossly insulting the citizens of Auckland. This man has been only a few days released from a two months imprisonment, for assault. The poor fellow is undoubtedly mad, and it is to be hoped that Mr. Naughton will to-morrow morning request the Bench to send him to the proper house of detention, namely, the Lunatic Asylum.

Detective Murpliy arrested this morning one James Stewart for stealing a pair of boots from the shop of Martha Burke, Chancery-street, value Bs., and will have to answer the charge to-morrow morn ing. The Ttight Reverend the Lord Bishop of Auckland officiated in All Saints' Church yesterday morning. There was a large congregation, and an excel lent choir present. His Lordship preached an eloquent and impressive sermon from Luke viii chapter, 11 verse, " The seed, is the Word of God."

A meeting of the members of the Chamber of Commerce will take place at the Mechanics' Institute at three o'clock on Thursday next.

We are glad to welcome back to this city, by the Airedale, on Saturday, T. M. Stewart, Esq., after an absence of about two years, during which time he has been Manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Wellington. He has been appointed manager of the head-office at Auckland, an appointment which we have no doubt *vlll give general satisfaction. Constable Eoestee, of the Armed Constabulary, left Auckland on Saturday for the Thames, to take charge of the gaol at Shortland. Foster has been in the police force for the last sixteen years, and has well earned the promotion which this change in his duties confers upon him.

Newton J?oll. —We learn that the signatures of objectors to voters on the above roll are all forgeries ; the list will, therefore, not be published, the names remaining on the roll as before. A vert fine circular headed clock, was landed from the Kate Waters on Satur day, which is to be fixed in the shop of Mr. Bartletfe, watchmaker. The clock itself was originally made by that gentle man in the year 1841, but it has been home to England to have a new dial manufactured, and to be fitted in a new case. It shows the Auckland, Wellington, and Greenwich time, and will form a very handsome ornament to Mr. Bartlett's shop, and a very useful article of reference to his customers.

POLICE COURT.—Monday

(Before J. Naughton, Esq., and G-. P. Pierce,

Esq., J.P.s.) DRUNKENNESS,

C. Birch and H. Drury, charged with this offence, were each fined ss. and costs, or to'be imprisoned for 24 hours, with hard labour. Anne Reilly and Richard Walsh, for second offences, were each fined 10s. and costs, or to be imprisoned 48 hours, with hard labour. DESEBTION. Michael English, who had surrendered him self as a deserter from the 2-18 th Regiment, was remaned to Sydney, to be forwarded by the Auckland on Wednesday. WIFE DESERTION. Michel Allen was charged with a breach of the Destitute Persons Relief Ordinance, 1866, in having, for three years, deserted his wife and family without providing for their sup port. Winnifred Allen deposed : Defendant is my husband. He has deserted me for three years past. The first twelve months he sent me nine pounds, and nothing since. We have five children, all under 14 years of age, riz., be tween 4 and 13 years. He has left me with out means of support, and without just cause. Defendant made a statement, saying that his wife had been a true wife to him, and that he desired to support his family, but that he had been crippled on the West Coast diggings, and had been out of employment. He had now got employment as boot-maker, and was willing to do what he could for his wife and children.

Ordered to pay 20s. a week into court for his family, and to pay a fine of 40s. and costs, the fine not to be enforced for a time, in order to show if obedience will be given to the order of the Bench.

The court then rose,

THE CHAMPION BELT AND AUCKLAND.

The Otaqo Daily Times, of the 4th instant, says : —"We belie va that it is the intention of the General Government that the winner of the Champion Rifle Boil; shall hold it as his own should he win it twice in succession; also, that the present champion will compete for it next year, without firing in the test com petition for the election of representatives; and that the contest will take place in one of the provinces of the North Island —most probably Auckland."

ARRIVAL OF THE 'JOHI PENN.'

LATEST SOUTHEEN TELEGRAMS

LOSS OF THE BEAUTIFUL STAR,

By the s.s. John Perm we regret to learn that the steamer Beautiful Star has been lost at "Wanganui. The vessel was proceeding down the Wanganui river with a full cargo of wool, tallow, sheep, and pigs, for Dunedin, when she struck on a snag, and sunk in ten feet of water at high tide. A considerable part of the cargo was transhipped into the John Perm on Friday morning. Captain Christian intended landing the remainder on the following day, and would without delay commence operations with a view of floating her.

WELLINGTON, May 11

The public meeting about the port of call was held last night. .Resolutions were passed affirming the desirability of a line such as Mr. Collie proposes. -An influential committee was appointed to use all their efforts to obtain the establishment of such service. Messrs. Rhodes, Fitzherbert, and Pharazjn were ap pointed a deputation to urge the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce to use their influence with the Victorian Government to induce it to join the New Zealand Government in eatab lishing the line.

WESTPORT, May 9,

Captain Deuchrass, of the schooner Mary Ann Every, which has just arrived, reports having seen a steamer under sail apparently broken down, ten miles S.S.W. of Rocks Points, on Satuni •• > afternoon, at five o'clock steering northwar. I, believed to be the Charles, Edward.

o pan

Captain .Deuchrass says he is certain the steamer he saw was the Charles Edward, as he was becalmed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. close

to her

She had either broken down, or was short of coal, but made no signals.

He distinctly saw Captain Holmes on the bridge.

DTJNEDIN, May 9.

A father and son named Lawson have been drowned while crossing the Upper Taieri

The Cromwell Quartz Company have crushed 250 ozs for a week's work. The Escort brought down 6700.

WELLINGTON.

Amongst the passengers by the Lord Ashley for Napier yesterday were bis Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, and his associate, Mr. Ing pen. His Honor has gone to Napier to hold the usual quarterly circuit sittings of the Supreme Court. — Independent, May 7th.

On the Sunday afternoon, when the Ilauhau prisoners, now in confinement in Mount Cook Barracks, were landed from the Star of the South, it was universally admitted that they were a miserable, wretched, decrepit-looking lot. The assertion that such was the case has, however, given great offence to those who have to display them as the sole trophies of the war : it would have looked very much better to have paraded a band of fierce desperadoes for the admiration of the good folks of Wellington, and consequently, we are informed that orders have been given to spare no expense or trouble in getting the prisoners in primo condition before the trial. G-ood food and judicious treatment are working marvels; and in the course of a few weeks longer, aud with the aid of a little "set-up" drill, they will look very promising villains indeed, worthy of having the epithet applied to them of " false traitors, who, moved by the instigation of the devil, did as semble in warlike array, &c, &c,," and of hav ing the sentence of hanging, drawing, and quarte; ing pronounced upon them in due form. — Ibid.

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. 'AUCKLAND.'

LATEST AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

The s.s. Auckland arrived in harbour yester day at 1 p.m., bringing Melbourne files to the 4th and Sydney to the 7th mat.

MELBOURNE, May 3

Initiatory steps have been taken for the relief of the sufferers by the floods in New South Wales.

A large meeting of the National Bank was held to-day, Sir F. Murphy in the chair. The report was read, and Sir P. Murphy explained that the actual loss was only £20,000, whilst 40.000 more probably would be the full extent of the loss. Captain Coffey moved an amendment on the report, that a 10 per cent, dividend be declared, which is likely to be carried. The meeting adjourned. Mr. Young succeeds Mr. Wright in the management. Sir Alfred Stephen occupied a seat on the Bench yesterday. Sullivan's party have succeeded in ejecting the others from the Duke of Edinburgh. Theatre. It is understood that it will be kept for Mr. Barry Sullivan, who is expected to return.

The Arcade was opened yesterday, with great ceremony.

Flour, £11 10b. ; wheat, ss. ; kerosene firm May 4.

The Presbyterian report on the Ladies' College states that £500 are available towards bringing out a first-class teacher from Scot land.

During the trial of a ease to-day in the Supreme Court, it transpired that a labourer named Quinn entrusted the late Ambrose Kyte with £750, the result of 37 years' savings, which was lost.

. The Echuca tinned meat sold at an average of 4d., and sheeps' tongues at 7d.

Sales of .National Sank sbares reached £5 18s.

The teas ex Coriphseus were partly sold at current rates. The markets are hardly so firm. Wheat ia quoted at 4s. 9d. to ss.

Messrs. Dalmaboy, Campbell and Co. report best beef at 265. 6d. per 100 lbs. ; 69 lb. wethers, 15s. ; 46 lb. ewes, 9a.

Messrs. Power, Rutherford and Co. report that 1500 head of cattle, chiefly Sydney Northern, were pai't sold at about last week's

prices. Prime bullocks, £9 to £11; cows, £7 to £8 10s. 20,000 sheep were yarded; brisk sales were made at fully previous rates, prime quality rather higher. Kiverina wethers sold at 13s. 6d. May 5. Mr. Climie, agent for Fairlie's Railway, has submitted plans for the Beechworth line, but the Q-overnment are not likely to accept them.

A new process of wool scouring has been discovered, which, it is said, is cheaper than the present system by one-fourth. The railway tenders were opened to-day. The lowest for the four sections was £300,000, or £7,000 over that of Mr. Porter's ; whilst the lowest tender for the whole was that of O'G-rady, Legett, and Noonan for £300,000. None of them have yet been accepted.

The shop of Mr. Anderson, jeweller, was robbed of property to the value of £400. The detectives discovered the booty and arrested the thieves.

King, the engine-driver at the time of the late collision, has been acquitted.

The attempt of the mortgagee to gain possession of Weston's Opera House is leading to law. The Sheriff's officers are watching the place. Weston intends to seek the pro tection of the Insolvent Court.

Maize has advanced to 55.; in the cattle market, young stock is in much demand. May 6.

The Argus recommends the establishment of a Law College and the amalgamation of the professions. The Rev. Charles Clarke's readings from " Pickwick" and other comic pieces in the pulpit last night is much commented on. The Bank has commenced further proceed ings against Draper. Professor G-amgee's preserved beef ex Cru sader, has not yet been opened, but circum stances transpired during the voyage which Jead to the belief that it is another failure.

The prospectus of a new bank has been issued, to bear the title of " The Melbourne, Ballarat, and Sandhurst Bank," with a capital of £600,000. Some good names are attached to the prospectus.

Feeding grains are advancing. Arrived. —Cornelia Matilda, from Rotter dam.

NEWCASTLE, Maj 4

A life buoy was picked up on the_ North Beach this morning ; it is painted white, and on the rim is the word " Stormbird," with "Dunedin" under. The Stormbird, coal laden, left here on the 25th ultimo, and, as she is not reported, fears are entertained for her safety.

6 pan

A portion of a wreck was found near the smelting works, consisting of a part of a cabin, painted green and yellow. WEST MAITLAND, May 5. The Government embankment has settled two or three feet since last night.

The weather is fine. The back parts of G-ould's, Tierney's, and Antcliff's stores fell in yesterday.

6. p.ni

The bank of the river is neai-ly flush with the back of the houses in High-street, from Youdale's, opposite the Telegraph Office, to Wolfe and Gorrick's, whose piling stands well. The inhabitants are removing their stock, &c. expecting the houses to fall over the back buildings. The Government em bankment is still sinking, and it is now nearly two feet lower.

NEW CITY HALL.

The first exhibition of Bachelder's Diorama of the " Apocalypse" was given on Saturday evening to an excellent house. The reserved seats alone were not well filled, and there was an almost total absence of the fairer por tion of our residents; both of which circum stances on the opening night are attributable to one cause, namely, doubts as to the character of the pictures ; and we commence our review by saying, that there are no und raped figures, nor any thing to cause a blush or give the least discomfort to the purest minded ; nor have we any hesitation in saying, that there is not one picture among the collection to offend the strictest pietist. The theme is the sublimest vision that ever was given to the mind of man, aiid holy things have been presented by the artist with a reverent and hallowed pencil. The diorama openes with a beautiful island scene, Patmos, with the venerable apostle in one of its rocky caves ; then succeeds the vision of the Seven Golden Candlesticks, followed by the Cities of the Seven Churches in succession; Ephesus, Smyrna, Perganas, Thyatyra, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, which with their different orders of archi tecture constitute beautiful and instructive tableaux. That especially of Sardis on the banks of the Pactolus, with its crescent shaped church, and the mellowed tint on the distant hills, was received with unanimous applause. After this comes a Vision of the upper sanctuary, with the angels worshipping around the throne, and then follows the opening of the seven seals. In the first picture the results cf the first four seals appear; the riders on the white, red, and black horses, and with them Death, on the white horse, with his dismal following. The opening of the sixth seal produces a tableau of awful grandeur ; the earthquake, the sun black as sackcloth, and the moon like blood, with the people calling on the rolling rocks and hills to hide them. The next tableau presents the four angels holding back the winds from blowing on the earth. On the opening of the seventh seal the seven angels, with their trumpets, are summoned before the throne, there, amidst clouds of incense, and, in the silence in

heaven of half-an-hour, to receive tlieir messages to earth. This serves to introduce seven scenes in succession—the blowing of the seven trumpets—full of sublimity. On the sounding of the first trumpet, the earth is deluged with fiery hail and blood; with the second trumpet a burning! mountain is seen rolling into the sea; this is a fine picture. At the blowing of the third trumpet a fiery star "Wormwood," de scends : with the sounding of the fourth trumpet the bottomless pit is opened, and locusts" come forth to torment the earth : on the sounding of the sixth trumpet hosts of armed men appear on horses with heads of lions and serpents for tails ; and with the last angel sounding his trumpet, a view is presented of the upper sanctuary, its colams gleaming with rubies emeralds and other gems. The next pictures are of the great red dragon; the beast with the seven heads and ten horns ; the great Rea per, conqueror of. the beast; and the seven angels going forth with their vials of wrath. This latter picture introduces a series of striking tableaux, the pouring forth of the vials or wrath upon the earth. The first of

these merely represents the beast and L" worshippers, but the second, the sea turned into blood, is a remarkable picture • tli waves crested with crimson foam, the'/ 5 if dead on the shore, the mountains vfiM • the haze of distance, together constiKflfitw scene that drew forth prolonged {j4Man| a This is equalled if not surpassed {by yf* picture representing the pouring out)of t? 6 fourth vial on " The rivers and founttain s „* waters" and turning them to blooa, Th hills shaded in blue, capped with snow and with the crimson streams and casoad pouring down their sides have a fine effect* The fourth vial poured on the sun, and tt sixth producing the false prophet and the beasts are not so striking pictures after those preceding ; but the city burn ing on the pouring out of the seventh vial is a fine scene. To these succeed a beautiful representation of the woman "Mystery" seated on the beast, an earthquake scene the great conqueror with his army, and the overthrow of Satan by the Archangel Michael, the latter a bold and striking picture. The next is a vision of the final judgment such aswe see ordinarily represent ed in engravings, but the artist's imagina- ' tion and care seem reserved for the two ' closing pictures which are continuous, the New Jerusalem and Paradise. The city of domes and minarets with its portals of gems its foliage as of emeralds and rubies, passes slowly before the eye and gives place to a view of the plains of Paradise, that withont exaggeration can be described as exquisite ■ while the meanderings of the river of life' the verdure, the foliage all are bathed in that soft and mellowed flight which we may suppose to be in the land where they have " no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten j it and the Lamb is the light thereof.'' The scenes are hallowed ones, and they ' are handled with reverence; the music is simple, solemn, appropriate; and the illus trative lecture, by Mr. Carey, is singularly; interesting and effectively delivered. No one need hesitate to visit the Diorama; the i pictures bear even close examination,, and I they are but the realizations of St. John's ideal; the fixing on canvas the gorgeous , beauties of his word painting ; the present ing to the bodily eye the glorious imagery that passed before the spiritual eye of the j beloved disciple in his island prison.

CITY BOARD MEETING.

THIS DAY.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Board Commissioners was held at the offices, Canada Buildings, at two o'clock this after noon.

Present: —P. A. Philips Hampton, Finlay, Bugdeh, George, Atkins, and Asher.

(Chairman), Maeready,

MINUTES.

The minutes of. the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

HOTICES OF MOTION.

Mr. Bttgden gave notice that at a future day he would move that the Board take into consideration the removal of the Inspector of Nuisances.

Left sitting,

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, Shortland-Street.

Mails will close as under: —

For Thames, and Coromandel this day, at 5.30, and to-morrow at 12*30 p.m., and 5.30 p.m. For Monganui, per Ivenhoe, to-morrow at 9 a.m.

For Russell and Kawa Kawa, per p. s. Samp son, to-morrow at 330 p.m. For 'Taranaki and the Southern Provinces, per s.Sk Airedale, on Wednesday, the 18th inst., at 10 a.m. Late letters and telegrams for transmission from the Nelson station will be received at this will office till 10 30 a.m., and at Onehunga till 11.30 a.m. For th eAustralian Colonies, per s.s. Auckland, • on Wednesday, the 18th instant, at 10 am. Late letters bearing a fee of 3d. in addition to the postage will be received till 10-30 a.m. Note.—Mails which have usually been mode up at this office at 9 a.m. every Monday for Lucas' Creek, Wade, Orewa, Waiwera, &c, &c., will in future close at 730 a.m. every Monday. S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

We would remind our readers that Mrs. W. H. [Newton is to receive a benefit at the Prince of Wales Theatre to-morrow evening. While other actresses come and go, and, from the newness of their faces, draw houses for a few nights and then disappear —" come like shadows, so depart"—this lady, however familiar her face to theatre-goers, has steadily maintained popularity, so that her absence from any piece in the Prince of Wales is really missed. As a reliable and useful actress, creditably sustaining the leading character, or cheerfully taking any part allotted to her ; correct in conception of the spirit of her part, invariably well prepared, of singular versatility, specially capable of giving expression to deep tenderness and pathos, and never exhibit ing flatness or indifference, but uniformly throwing her whole spirit into the part she is sustaining, Mrs. JSewton deserves well at the hands of those who enjoy the drama; while there is a propriety in her demeanour, whether her partis character ised by elan or abandon, that pleases and wins. We know that Mrs. INewton is greatly liked in Auckland, and now, after the severe trial and expenses incident to domestic affliction, is the time for friends to show their friendship.

THS EVENING STAK, MAT 16, 1870.



NOTICE. GOLDEN CROWN EXTENDED GOLD MINIBFG COMPANY (REGISTERED). MR. EDWARD PRATT has no IoW any authority to acb as Manager^ or otherwise, on behalf of the said Company. L j THOMAS SHOVE, V** Sole Director of said Company. ?^ /COMFORTABLE BOARD and RESI \J DENCE for two Gentlemen in a Pmate Family.—For address apply at the Office ot this Paper. THE GREAT C O M I Q U F|! i :