SHIPPING.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

DBPABTUHKB

Washington, barque, 332 tons, EoberUoa, for Sydney. Prince Alfred, barque, 101. tons, Young, for Tahiti via Eorotonga. Coquetlr, schooner, Smith, for Lcvulca. Speedwell., ketch, Powielie, for Wangnroa.

PROJECT DEPARTURES.

Fok IjOXDOK.— Scatollov and Anno Mnin, early in -April. West Ccustv John Perm, Sunday. SoxmrßßK Powts.— Airedale, ?.s., Wed nesday ; Alumri, s.s., tod it. Syp>t;y.—Knte. and City of Melbourne,

early. Bay or TsT.-iXT)3. —Tauranga, s.s., to-day.

IMPORTS.

Per brig Princess Alice, from Ly Helton: 3,000 sacks wheat, 02 sacks oats, 284 sacks barley. J. S. Maefarlane (agent).

EXPORTS.

Per s.s. schooner Coquette, for Fiji -. 4 ra»ps brandy, 100 rases genera, 5 boxes tobacco, W. Brown; 22 cnso3 geneva, 4 qi\ easks i'nm, CruicUshank, Smart, and Co.; 2 eases cottons, Stewnrt and Anderson; 6 boxes tobacco, Crniclcshanlc, Smart, and Co, ; 10 half-chests tea, 3 cuveasks brandy, A. East gate j 72 bags potatoes, 4 tanks, 8 kegs butter, 1 case cheese. Cruictshatik, Smart, and Co. (aeenls). Per barque Prince Alfred for Tahiti: 8 bales cotton, 5 cases mustard, 4 bales cotton, 200 cases gonevn, 10 casks beer, 5 cases salad oil, 12 cases brandy, 12 packages sundries, Owen and Grahnm"; G cases pickles, G boxes tobacco, 4 packages, L. P. Nathan and Co.; 7 packages, Owen and Graham ; 2 boles, IS. and H. Isaacs; 1 bale, L. D. Nathan and Co ; 29 enses sundries, 60 wheelbarrow?. —Owen and Graham, agents.

The barque Prince Alfred took her departure to-day, for Tahiti and Eo"otonga. Passengers : Mr. Henry Goodwin, Mr. Wm. Seymour, Mr. IT.'Paicy, Mr. .Tohn Jones. The sis. Tauranga leaves the whavf for the "Bay of Islands at 5 p.m. to-day. The p.s. Duke of Edinburgh leaves for the Thames this afternoon at 8.30 p.m., and the p.s. Lady Bowen at 3 p.m. to-morrow. ■The s.s. John Perm will leave the Mann ku^i for Wanganni and the West Coast, on Monday at 1 p.m. The s.s. Airedale will leave the Manukau for the South on Wednesday next.

The Duke of Edinburgh, during the passage up from the Thames yesterday, carried away her 'breu.ast during a fierce squall fron: the S.W.

DEPARTURE OF THE WONGA WONGA, WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL.

The fine s.s. Wonga Wonga, T. S. Beal, Esq., commander, took her departure this afternoon, carrying the English mails, via Honolulu and San Francisco. She left the harbour with a fresh favourable wind, and will no doubt make a rapid run to Honolulu, her first port of call. The following is a correct list of passengers : — From New Zealand :—Saloon: Mr. J. Camp bell, Emily Ball, Thomas Ball, W. D. Sutherland, J. F. Nickson, George Harper, D. Murphy, C. Cunavd, G. E. Allen, Captain Baldwin, Mr. Grey (Mail Agent), Win, Handyside, Mr. and Mrs." John Roberts, Rev. L. Murphy, Mr. W. Turrell, George Har per, John Campbell, Hugh Craig, J. H. Lowe, Thomas Taylor, W. Syinon, Steerage: Messrs. J. McDonnld, W. Conner, R. Punch and family, T. Lymott, M. Carey, Mr. aud Mra. A. J. Eyes, Mr. W. K. Ferris, J. Murphy, Margaret Ward, Mr. J. T. Knolfes, Mr. T. Kellock, Mr ,T. Erueston, Mr. J. Fraser, Mr. S. Bevan, Mr. and Mrs. A. Butler and family (6), and Mr. and Mrs. Meany. From Australia —For England, via Hono lulu and San Francisco : —Mr. R. E. Lewis, Mrs. It. E. Lewis, Mra. Harvey, Miss Harvey, Miss Cleveland, H. B. Hall, 'U.S. Consul, Mrs. Hall, Mr. Gleeson, Mrs.Gleeson, Messrs. W. L. Lord, R. C. Close, A. Archer, Teage, Graves, Hodgson, E. Deane, Major Divian, Messrs. Childs, W. Conner, T. W. Dagg, E. Leathers, G. Taylor, A B. Clark, W. Gunn, Donovan, TT. Stranger, E. Doughty, JI. Good ehild, J E.Taylor, J. Dicison, J. Charles, J. Page, E. Page. For San Francisco,: Mr. Hobler, Mrs. Hobler and family (4), Mr. Knight, Mrs. Knight and family, Mr. Mooney, Mrs. Mooney and child, Mr. and Mrs. Boyn ton, Mr. and Mrs. Dowling, Miss Mary Hogan, Miss ITonora Ifogau, Mr. and i\frs. Webster and family (4), Mr. C. Donclan, Mr. !N. McNamara, and 70 in the steerage.

DEPARTURE OF THE AHURIRI.

The b.s. Ahuriri, Captain Flowerday, took her departure from the Manukau for Welling ton and intermediate ports this afternoon. Passengehs :—Mr. F. Nieoll, Mrs. Eains ford, Mr. IT. Snelger, Mr. F. li urst house, Mrs. Douglass, Mr. Knight, Mr. F. Windsor.

COMMERCIAL.

EVENING- STAR OFFICE, Saturday Afternoon,

Messrs. Lewis Bros, sold yesterday, at the stores and ia the estate of Ogilvie, Campbell, and Co., a quantity of wines and sph-its. The following prices were obtained.:—Red cawarra, 14s to 28s; stout, 8s; ales, 12s ; port wine, Ss to 12s ; sherry, 6s to 9s; genera, 2Gs; schnapps, ss; hock, 16s; whiskey, 18s 6d; champagne, 40s to 49s ; Australian wines, 22«; Moselle, 38s; maraschino, 41s; Estriohor, 225; Rudesheimer, 225; imperial champagne, 40s; champagne, Gilbert's pints, 40s ; Nei t euner, ■ 22s to 28s; bottling ivai, 5s ; bottles, 7s; wine case^, 10s.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE.

S iIORTTi AND-ST UE F.T. Mails will close as under : — For Shortland, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and on Monday, 4th insfc., at 12 a.m., and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, Monday 4th inst, at 11.30 a.m. For Taraaaki, and the Southern Provinces, per a.s. Airedale, on the 6th instant, at 10.30 a.m. 10, B. Bisfl, "•■■■; Chief Postmaster.

The Evening Star. SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1870.

■ v observance of the precept andi ultc.ram par/em, we have pleasure in publishing the let.lei* of our corres pondent " Teritas." While admitting the justice of much thai he advances ■ respecting the Mechanics' Institute, wo must disclaim laving reflected on its Secretary, touching whom our; correspondent seem* to nave connected ! us with the opinions expressed by our j correspondents. Respecting the dis interestedness of motive in those mem bers of the Committee, who have stood ; by the institute through years of: public apathy, and who now forward j its interests without availing them selves of its books or papers, we cor dially-agree with our correspondent; and it is with reluctance we censure a committee containing some to whom the Institute owes m much. But it is not purity of intention, but administrative capacity that is in question ; and however we may concede apathy on the- part of the public, and general difficulties sur rounding the position, we assert that it shows a lack of ability on the part of the members, and of fitness for the responsible position which they hold, if they cannot so adapt their administration to the peculiar temper of the times aa to overcome the diffi culties by which they are besot. Mr. Disraeli was as good a man as Mr. Gladstone, but Mr. Grindstone knew the spirit of the age. and that institu tions must be moulded to the bent of the popular will; and Mr. Disraeli with all his purity of principle was rejected by the represen tatives of advancing public opinion. And it is simple childishness to exclaim against the spirit of the age. If insti tutions are not appreciated, it is as clear as noonday that they .ire not suited to the age ; and in order to their usefulness, it is the part of a good administrator to try reform, not without, but witltin. The people of Auckland miiy be void of public spirit, they may be wholly given to sectarian bigotry, but the Committee of the Mechanics' Institute will not reform them. Let the Committee "do its own part well, aiad leave the rest to heaven." The people of Auckland are said to be singularly apathetic : and it is true. But wherefore ? Not because they are different from other people, for human nature is the aan^e everywhere, but because in their governing bodies, in their institutions, in their public movements, old fogeyism is rampant ; persons are put into office because they have been n office, and because office- would look iqueer without them ; aud when new blood is introduced, it is in such sparing measure as to be wholly corrupted by the old. There is no " Young Auckland," and it is, therefore, our institutions languish. I'he members of the Committee of the Mechanics' Institute are good men, all good men, in fact too good for the time. "We think they ought to retire and give place to others more suited to the wicked spirit of the age.

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

While our news sheets are passing through the press, the Wonga Wonga ia steaming down the harbour, bearing our mails by the new San Francisco mail route. We may not, after Bri tish custom, celebrate our rejoicing in guzzling roast beef and ardent spirits, but with weeping skies and muddy streets, we may, after conti tental ideas of an Englishman's joy, "take our pleasures sadly;", never theless, the heart of Auckland beats high at the vista of prosperity that is this day opened to the eye. We may have been precipitate in seizing on the first offer presented, and in bind ing ourselves to a subsidy for years to come, but the splendid success that has attended the opening of the route ma}'" lead to results all the grander in the future. All honor to the projectors of the scheme; the pioneer boat, with her hundred and eighty passengers, testifies to the ■wis dom of their foresight ; and may they reap the reward that spirited enterprise deserves. But while we learn that other Companies, with as great or greater resources have been at the same time preparing on the other side the globe to minister to our wants and develop our commerce, we can only jsay, may the best win the fight, and New Zealand profit from the com mercial competition. The Wouga Wonga is indeed a noble vessel to | link its with our American cousins ; [and we envy her passengers | their voyaging through the sunny s isles of the Pacific, the mountain I fastnesses and the prairies of America, jto the happy homes of Old England. 5 Fraught with the burden of many a [hope and fear, with many a tale of 'trial and suffering, and, doubtless,

I many of success, the "Wonga Wonga loaves our shores. Speed our carrier i: Pigeon !" May favouring winds and peaceful seas be hers as she flics over I the wide Pacific, and may she be the | harbinger of a new era of prosperity and peace.

j In the Polico Court this morning there I were no cases of importance ; the usual : number of drunkards passed before the ' Bench, and one unhappy woman pleaded i guilty to having threatened the life of | her husband. The dull monotony of the j Court was relieved by Mr. Edwin i Lascolles entering in a state of excitement, and bearing, in his hand a large brickbat, with which, ho stated, one Frederick Beades, a bailiff, entering his premises ; without his consent, had threatened to ; take his life. *' lie put himself in a ! fighting attitude," said Mr. Lascelles, ! suiting the notion to the word in a man | nor decidedly perilous to the Bench, 1 " and within striking distance," (ap- I proaehing nearer), " and threatened to knock my brains out with this multum in parvo, this brickbat." This thrilling case, we presume, will come off on Monday. A dividend of tho All Kations Gold Mining Company will be payable at the company's office, Shortland-sfcreet, on Thursday next. Mb. Hall, the United States Consul, and contractor ior the mail route, left to-day by the Wouga Wonga, for Ame rica, no doubt with the intention of con solidating the enterprise which he has un dertaken. ;v.tr. Grey, Inspector of Post omV'j:o, in New Zealan •, is also a passen ger through to .New i'ork, burdened with cares of state in connection with the same subject. We are greatly pleased to hear that the lease for twenty-one years of a piece of land at Mechanic's Bay, has been pro -1 miseel by his Honor the Superintendent, las a site for a woollen manufactory ; nnd I that the projector has written by the I Wonga Wor.ga, to America, for the plant which is expected to be in full working order by the end of the year. To-day his Ji'xcellency the Governor, the United .States Consul at Sydney, Mr. Hall, and a number of our principal citi zens proceeded on board the Wonga Wonga, and lunched with '■. aptain iieaie nnd the agents of the vessel. .Among I hose present were the Hon. J. Vogel, Messrs. .McLean, Colly (from Sun Fran cisco), P/TcKelvi^, Tonics, Creighton, Uruicksliank, Clark, Bnylan, several members of the i'rovinfia! Council, and about seventy merchants and others. Speeches congratulatory on the opening of the new mail route,and complimentary toasts were k'iven, and all passed off in IJie most agreeable manner. It will be well for our readers to ob serve that in future (by proclamation in tho Gazette) the Post Office at bliorrland will be known as the Post Office at " the Thnmes." We learn that his T^xcelleney the Governor leaves in the beginning or next wee!? on a tour to the Bay of Islands, for the purpose of making himself better acquainted with the resources and wants of that district. We are pleased to learn that the per formance or the Auckland Garrick Club, to iako place on Thursday uexh. in behalf of tho funds of the General Hospital, lias received the patronage of his J'Jxcellency and the Superintendent. His Honor has signified his intention of witnessing the performance, while Sir George Bowcn is only prevented from being present by his intended trip to the Bay of Islands.

Wef.lingtok-steeet LlTßßAtrr Asso ciation. —The above society met on Htursday evening last, in the Younp Men's Christian Association Kooms, W^llosley-street, for the consideration of special business. A proposal was sub mitted to affiliate tlie society to the insti tution as its essay and discussion class. Fc was felt that since the removal of fli<? society from the schoolroom attached to St. James's Church, that the title <vas a misnomer, and had occasioned some mis apprehension on the part of outsiders. /Sifter some discussion it was deemed the simplest and most advisable course to dissolre, as a preliminary to the forma tion of a new society in connection with the Young Men's Christian Association. A vote of thanks was accorded to the President, Vice-President, and other officers, for their service?. Subsequently, a list was formed of members willing to join the new class, and steps will bo taken nL ;su early date to initiate its pro ceedings.

Tui! Duke of Ediuburgh brought rip 2.720 ounces of gold yesterday, for the JJraik of New Zealand. The mpmbers of the Auckland Rifle Volunteers will pavade for drill at the .Albert Barracks this afternoon, at fire o'clock sharp. Late A ccidbnt at Kakahg-ahaps Eoad. —Tho child Joseph Gleeson, who suf fered such severe injuries by being pitched out of <". cart, is \n a fair Tvay of reco very.

AMUSEMENTS.

Pktnck ov Waies Theatre.—The play of " Jack Sheppard" was reproduced wii.li the same east at this theatre last night. Not withstanding the inclemency of the weather, there was a good house, and the performance passed off successfully. We observe that the " Corsiean Brothers " and "Alladin" arc to produce 1 this evening; and on Monday the new drama of "The Pledge, or the Blessings of Teetotalism."

LATE AMERICAN NEWS

SHIPWRECK—LOSS OF 35 LIVES.

We are indebted to Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane for late San Francisco papers, received by the Washington, from which we extract the following : —

New Yore, January 25.—Foreign mail ad vices say the British ship King Lear, from Cardiff for Hongkong, foundered off the British coast; 35 lives were lo?t. There was a collision at Jersey City this evening between the Erie Eailroad strikers and the men employed in their places. The iatter, while leaving work, Mere attacked by a crowd of 1,000 men and women, and only the prompt interference of the police prevented serious results. The police arrested two ring leaders, and with difficulty took them to the Station-house, followed by a mob, who finally, however, dispersed. Fifteen new cases of small-pox were reported at the office of the Sanitary Superintendent yesterday, principally from the densely popu lated portions of the Eleventh and Thirteenth Wards. No cases have been reported from the other parts of the city since Sunday. The suit of the Erie Eailroad against Yan derbilt, which was set for trial in. January, is postponed. This suit is to recover 5,000,000 dollars, alleged to have been paid Commodore Vandorbilt on the settlement of the litigation of two years ago. The case is finally set down for the first Monday in March. OiiiCAG-o, January 20.—A letter from the Upper Mississippi reports that several whites, supposed to be English or Scotch, have been distributing arms among the Indians, and stirring up a hostile feeling towards the settlers.

New York, January 25.—Haytien advices slate besides the outlawry of Salnave, a reward of 5,000 dols. in gold is offered for his head. It is also decreed that ail other insurgents who shall fail to give up arms and submit to the revolutionary authorities within forty-eight hours afier the publication of the edict shall bo equally outlawed. Buffalo, January 25. —Extensive pre parations are being made for a great Fenian military and civic demonstration in this city on Saturday. St. Lorjs, January 24. —Four small busi ness houses were burnt at St. Joseph, Missouri, yesterday. Win. Bowles, brother-in-law of ex- Congressman Loan, was sleeping in one of the houses and perished in the flumes. While the firemen were endeavouring to rescue the body, the wall fell, injuring two of them mortally, and four others severely. Louisville, January 24. —The remains of George D. Prentice were removed from the Masonic Temple to Christ Church this morn ing, where the solemn, impressive burial ser vice of the Episcopal Church was performed, after which the remains were buried in Cave Hili Cemetery with Masonic honor?.

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN KANSAS.

A DESPERADO SHOOTS AND IN STANTLY KILLS HIS FATHER-IN LAW—ATTEMPTS TO MURDER HIS WIFE AND KILL} HIMSELF. [from the E:\rroßiA teibtoe.] O:n* last Sunday evening the usually quiet hamlet of Bazaar, in Chase county, was the scene of a terrible tragedy, the particulars of which we have just learned from Mr. W. 11. Hoover, a dry goods dealer at that place.

Scott, alias Lchnhard. the murderer, was in (he habit of greatly abusing liis wife. On Sunday he carried his brutality to such an extent that his wife was courr lied to flee to (lie house of Mrs. Wiswell to avoid further ill treatment at her husband's hands. He had knocked her down and otherwise fiendishly abused her. Her father, Mr. Toms, hearing of the ill-treatment of Iris daughter, set out in ii wngon, accompanied by a young man by the name of Columbus Davis to take her to his home ; and it was while nearing the residence of Mrs. Wiswell, where the daughter had taken refuge, that Scott unexpectedly ap peared and deliberately shot and instantly killed Mr. Toms. Mi1. Davis immediately sprang from the wagon and seized the mur derer, who had also, without effect, fired a shot at him. JDlio murderer managed to break away from Mr. Davis, and at once proceeded to the house of Mrs. Wiswell, with the avowed determination of killing his wife, Timely aid was at hand, and the doors and windows were fastened. The murderer, foiled in the attempt to kill his wife, and aware that Hie neighbourhood would soon be aroused, abandoned the effort and fled.

At the time of the murder, the greater por tion of the people of the hamlet were worship ping in the church near by. But they were soon apprised of the b'oody deed, and at once many persons were in pursuit of the murderer.

To add to the horror of the tragedy, as soon as Mr. Toms was s^.ot, the horses became frightened and ran away. He fell into the waggon bed, and his lifeless body was carried at a wild speed by the frightened horses for a considerable distance.

The murderer, being so closely pressed by the officers and citizens, on Monday night killed himself at his mother's house. When informed that the posse was approaching, he requested of the inmates of the house that they would say he was not there; but they fearing the pursuing party, told him they must say he wa3. Having no hope of rescue, he placed to his breast and fired the same weapon with which he had killed his father-in-law, killing himself almost instantly. Thus ended a terrible and shocking tragedy.

LATER ENGLISH NEWS.

LORD GBANVILLE ON THE WITH DRAWAL OF TROOPS.

A teleg-bam to the following effect, dated London, February 18, is published in the Mel bourne Argus : —.

" In the House of Lords, Lord Carnarvon arraigned the colonial policy of the Govern ment, and protested against t"^e withdrawal of British troops from tho colonies. Earl Grauville declared that there was no desire on the part of the Government to sever the con nections between England and her colonies. The withdrawal of the troops was only intended to enable them to learn a habit of self-defence. In case of attack from without-, England would defend them with 'her last man, her last ship, and her last shilling.' "

SOUTHERN NEWS.

By the arrival of the Circular Saw s.3.Ah* dale in the Manukau yesterday with the bont.n ern mails for England via San Francisco, we are in receipt of later Southern files.

TARANAKI.

Mb. Aruitage's Flax-dhyixg Machine- Upwards of twenty persons assembled in the class-loom of the Taranaki Institute at seven o'clock on Monday evening last, for the pur pose of hearing the inventor explain Hie prin ciple of his irachine. As nearly as we could follow Mr. Armitnge, the machine does not appear to be cither intricate or altogether original, though the idea he has hit upon is no doubt capable, with some modification, ol being carried into practice. To manu facturers of flax, a drying machine will be indispensable during our wet season, and v, as Mr. Armitage asserted, one man could easily work one of his machines capable of drying about two hundred weight of flax every quar ter of an hour, he will have reaped his reward, not only pecuniarily, but also from the renown he will hare achieved for his ingenuity. Uhe machine which is worked on wheels running on endless chains, consists of one large cham ber containing revolving poles, to which the /lax, as it comes from the dressing machine is attached. Heated air, supplied by a fan, is made to pass through this chamber by means of a pipe communicating with a stove, and. at the same time, if thought advisable, a supply of sulphurous gas may be forced into the chamber with the hot air, which Mr. Amitage said would have the effect of bleaching (lie fibre as well as the processes at present in use. A machine capable of drying two hundred weight of flax at a time, would describe one revolution —if it may be so culled —every fif teen minutes, though this speed might either be increased or lessened. The flax would, ac cording to Mr. Armitage, be perfectly dry ut the expiration o'< that tin)". Mr. Clyde's min ature steam engine kept the fun of the machine in full operation, and we were at a loss to know whether the engine or the machine ex cited the most attention. Mr. Armitage's explanation was very brief, and the whole pro ceedings, including a vote of thanks to Mr. Armitage, did not occupy more than half an hour.— llerald, 30th ult The flax companies who have leased land of the natives at Opunake, are busy erecting their works, and it is expected that one of them will have the machines going in about a month's time. The natives are anxiously looking forward to the time when the opera tions at tbi3 mill will commence, as they anticipate being employed at some remunera tive work in connection with it. The other mills at work in different parts of the province are turning out large quantities of flax, the total quantity shipped away being 72 tons besides 11 tons of tow.

The opening up of the Califomian route has been brought about through the energy and business-likedespatchof the Colonial Treasurer, Mr. Yogel. That it will be of immense practical benefit to this colony all will admit, but the political consepuence of this inter course with America is not quite so easily foretold. At no remote period it must obviously influence our commercial and political ideas, and tend to widen the gulf which the policy of England has created. In the meantime we shall benefit by the commercial advantages which it places at our disposal, and speculate on the tendency of the change which we have no doubt will prove an era in our history. While ocean eomuam'cation has been secured, it will be seen that the interprovincial service has not been neglected, tenders having been asked for the conveyance of mails to ail parts of the Colony. There are three routes from Manukau, taking in Taranaki, viz., to Welling ton via Nelson, to Wellington via Wanganui, to Hokitika via Nelson, so that it will be observed that the interests of this Pro vine have been cared for and easy means of com munication by sea provided. -Ibid.

NELSON.

The Americans may learn that Great Britain possesses in the Southern Hemisphere certain islands, rich in harbours, with a position the most commanding in the whole South Pacific, whether for irade or war, the bowels of which are coal and gold and all manner of metal, whose sands are iron, whose plains produce crops unsurpassed by their own prairies, whose climate surpass;1* alike their most temperate and their s\xb-tropieal zone. They may learn that the development of the resources of these islands is retarded mainly by difficulties that have been thrust upon them prematurely by the stupidity and vacillation of a Colonial Office. They will hear with, or perhaps with out, surprise—for American faith in the per versity of British G-overnments is unbounded —that England is anxious to dispense with the alliginnoe of these islands, or at nil events determined not to incur the slightest risk of expense to secure it.

They may hear, too, but. in the course of years—for we are feeble folk and exceeding patient of insult—that colonists are tired of assistance, even costless assistance refused; of sympathy denied to fellow citizens, and freely extended to aliens and cannibal enemies ; of oyalfcy contemptuously spurned; of a Gco rcrnor maintained apparently to receive and publish despatches calculated to exasperate the best-affected natives, and to rouse to their utmost atrocities those already ill-affected— despatches, which with savages prowling through the country seeking whom they may devour, can treat temperately of their provoca tions to cannibalism, and recommend abject submission; speaking if not with unmixed approbation, at least with admirable toleraiice and sympathy of wretches, who eat their men, tomahawk their women, and throw to the pigs their suckling children.

When these strange things are heard, learnt, and discovered, stranger things may follow.— Examiner, 30th \ilt.

A herd of more than fifty red deer has lately been seen not many miles from Nelson. The Hon. W. Fox lectured on Total Absti nence at Nelson, on Saturday evening last. Fire at the Poet.— Early on Smiday morning last, Mrs. M'Donald, who, with a family of four young children, resided at. the Port, found her bedroom on five, and it was with the greatest difficulty she rescued her children from the flames in their night clothes, losing everything else beside?, including £100 in notes, which her husband, who had gone to Collingwood, had 'entrusted to her care. The fire is supposed to have originated from sticks sefcjo dry on the hearth, which it is believed ignited fro.n the embers, and communicated with the flooring. This should be a lesson on the impolicy of keeping money in a dwelling house, instead of lodging ifc in the Savings or

some other bank, -where it would be"^solut e ]y secure.— Ibid.

OTAGO.

Dui'ing the past few days the cuviour nwv have been rather puzzled at seeing a fire o ii the training wall, and those who walked near tlie beach, on the reclaimed ground, no doubt felt a little surprised at inhaling an oclom> which produced a tendency to sneeze. This i s to be accounted for by the fact that the Cus. Toms' officers have during that time, been en. gaged in burning goods which have remained in bond for years, and on which no duty h a 3 been paid. Altogether about 8200 lbs of tobac co, mostly of an inferior quality, ICO lbs o f cigars, mid two casks of currants have been consumed in this manner. — Daily Times. In surveying a track for the extension of the district road over Pine Hill, an important discovery lias been made. A fine out-crop of petroleum shale has been found on G-overn. ment land. The extent of the formation is unknown, but the quality is good. We hare seen some of the oil which has been distilled from it—Bid. A now and handsome yacht, has been built for Messrs, G-ut.hrie and Asher, by Mr. Green, of Cumber'and-street. 'Her length over all i» 38 feet, breadth of beam 7 feet 4 inches, and depth 5 feet. She is double planked, with two thicknesses of fin. kauri pine, and timbered with broadleaf and beech. Her bottom is copper-fastened, and sheathed with 16oz, Muntz's patent metal. [This shroud plates, belaying pins, and other fittings, are of brass, The companion is built with glass aides, winch leaves a very roomy cabin. The cabin is fitted up with lookers and seats, the latter being con vertible into berths if necessary. The yacht lias also a very roomy fore compartment, cap. able of containing four berths. The afterpavt of the yacht is fitted with lockers and stove room. The steering accommodation is excel lent, having a water-tight steering well. The tonnage of this really handsome little craft is 10 33 94ths yacht measurement, and she is cutter-rigged. She will be a decided acquisi tion to the now large fleet of the Otago Yacht Club.

Mr. W. J. Henninghaiu, late proprietor of the Evening Star and Echo newspapers, and now insolvent, has had his certificate suspended for two years. His Honor Mr. Justice Ward said it was evident that for some time past the bankrupt had been systematically procuring mouoy by false pretences. On several occa sions when required to make statements of his asset?, lie omitted all mention of the policy, although positively required to do bo. Never theless \\a repeatedly used it to obtain ad vances of money. The only inference that could ho drawn was, that he had used it from time to time, knowing perfectly well that it was not his own. The bankrupt, ! c regretted to say, had by his conduct, rendered himself liable to a criminal prosecution. He (the learned judge) would have to consider whether he should direct a criminal prosecution.

CHRISTCHURCH.

A teetotal Prime Minister muft be con sidered somewhat in the light of a natural curiosity. In recalling the list of famouß Premiers during the last "hundred years it is easy enough to remember the hard drinkers, but we do not just now recollect a single instance of a teetotaler in the first ranks of British statesmen. It has probably been reserved for Now Zealand to set an illustrious example in this direction. Mr. Fox is a teetotaler of the purest water. In the rare intervals of freedom from political business he seizes the opportunity of doing battle with the deadly voice of intemperance. And very vigorously does he wield his weapons.—Lyttel tun Times, March 26.

The Acclimatisation Society of Canterbury is making active efforts to import insect-eating birds, such as rooks, starlings, goldfinches, and jackdaws. There is also some talk of bringing out blackbirds and nightingales.

WELLINGTON.

H.M.S. Challe^gek. —We regret to learn that the Challenger is likely soon to weigh anchor for the last time in this port, and to sail for Sydney en route for England. During their various visits to this port, and their long stay in it, Commodore Lambert, Captain Brownrigg, and the officers and men of the ship, have made themselves deservedly popu lar, and their departure will be greatly regretted on all sides. But Commodore Lam bert has earned something move than mere' local and personal popularity. He has deserved and has, we believe, secured the gratitude of the inhabitants of New Zealand for the sym patliy which he has always exhibited towards Die colony in the days of its distress, and the cordial and .vactical assistance which he has ever shown himself willing to render. People will not readily forget the stand lie took in regard to the Himalaya and the re moval of the troops, and although his conduct on that occasion called Jown the severe censure of his official superiors, the colony owes him debt of gratitude. Both branches of tbe Legislature have already expressed to Com modore Lambert the sentiments entertained towards him and 'sha appreciation in which his services are htld ; but gratifying as this official and formal expression of feeling on the port of the people., representatives no doubt is, we think that some more popular demon stration should be made before Commodore Lambert removes his pennant from our waters. — Independent, 26th ult.

NAPIER.

An official intimation appears in the Haivh l B((ji Herald of the 22nd iust., addressed to officers and men of the late Colonial Defence Force who have signified their acceptance of the conditions upon which land is to be granted them in Poverty Bay, that the drawing for order of selection will take place on Wed.es day, 3Cth inst., at Napier, and that those who intend to occupy their land by substitute are requested to bring sucli substitutes, for ap proval by the General Crovernment Agout at Napier, on or before that date. \ The settlement a(,J Poverty Bay upon Which these men are to get their land is dosijtaated "The.Military Settlement at OrinoiAJl^and the conditions of the grant are tho folia; R*g' ~ coxb.ia^oNS. "^ 1 . The following is the area of the allotinW* off red : —For a field officer, four hundred acres ; captain, three hundred acres ; surgeon, two hundred and fifty acres ; subaltern, two hundred acres; sergeant, eighty acres; corporal, sixty acres; private, forty acres; being the areas which the member** of the force might have received under the Hawko'fl Bay Military and Colonial Defence Corps Settlement Act, 1865.

THE EVENING STAB, APBIL 2,1870.