SHIPPING.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

AERIVALS. Mat 29.

Mary Shepherd, ship, 905 tons, R. Peek, from London.

Jane, schooner, 37 tons, from Bay of Islands.

Meteor, schooner, 40 tons, Anderson, from "Wangarei. Queen, schooner, 52 tons, ~Vea.\e, from Bay of Islands.

DEPARTURE.

Mat 29. Kate, barque, 341 tons, Cooper, for Sydney.

The s.s. Eangitira is expected in the Manukau this evening, from Wanganui and Southern ports. The barque Novelty is hourly expected in harbour from Sydney. The fine ship Mallard will haxil from the wharf to-morrow moi'ning, and sail for Lon don on Wednesday. She has a full cargo, particulars of which will appear in our next. The fine new schooner Letitia is announced to sail for Tahiti on the 6bh inst.

Kate.—The clipper Kate, Captain Cooper, left the"harbour last evening with a fresh v.-es terly breezn, ("or Sydney. Passengers—Mr. and Mrs. .Roberts nncl two children, Mr. F. A. Soloman, Miss Chnpmaii, Mrs. J. Kelly and three children, Mrs, Hoigh and child, Clement Fasrg, William Harrington, Gilbert Self, Chas. Pearson.

The schooner Jane arrived in hai-bour yes terday morning from the Bay of Islands with a full carrjo of coals.

Important Shipping- Notice.—We are re quested to call attention to the following telegram which has been sent by the Marine Department to the Collectors of Custom at the principal ports of the Colony:—" Light at Farewell Spit will probably be lighted for the purpose of te&tisg it on the nights of Friday and Saturday next. Post notice in Custom House to thia effect, and call attention of shipmasters to it."— Wellington Independent, May 24th. A schooner called the Waterlily, 51 tons, Captain Brown, from Melbourne, put in to the harbour last night, to procure a boat and some other articles she stood in need of. She lias a strong crew, and her owner is on board. She is loaded with general merchandise, pro visions, the frame of a house, &c, and pro fesses to be bound for an uninhabited island in the Pacific, 5' S. of the line, and named Starbuck Island, where the owner intends to establish himself. None of our nautical men, however, seem to be acquainted with this island; and some of them ask not unreason ably, why* a Tessel bound from Melbourne for an island close to the equator, should come to Nsw Zealand. Some people on the wharf imagine the schooner's real destination is the Auckland Islands, there to make an effort to recover some of the gold lost in the General Grant. This may be the case, but the captain and owners of the Wnterlily do not seem to be very communicative about their proceedings.— Wellington Post, 23rd May.

ARRIVAL OF THE MARY SHEPHERD.

The fine ship Mary Shepherd has again made her appearance in these waters after an absence of nine months. She is still com nianded by Captain R. Peek, and most of the officers who were here last year accompany him. The Mary Shepherd, from the time of her final departure from England, hai had a very pleasant passage, and the passengers have arrived in good health, no sickness of any kind having occurred during the voyage. The ship brings a large general cargo, and forty saloon and second-cla?s passengers. She has also a quantity of powder on board, which will necessitate her lying clear of the shipping ill it lias been removed.

The Mary. Shepherd left the East India Docks and passed Q-ravesend on the Ist of February, and experienced fine weather down Channel. When off the Start Point she en countered a heavy gale from S.S.W., during which she lost her jibboom. Captain Peek then ran back to Dartmouth, and having re paired damages, resumed his voyage on the 10th, after a detention of five days. Strong N.E. winds prevailed, and on the 23rd ot" February Teneriffe was sighted; the vessel lay becalmed here for two daya. Had very good N.E. trades, and crossed the Equator on the 14th of March, in long. 20 deg. 30 mm. W. On the 19th of March Mrs. Allender, a passenger, was confined of a daughter; the child was christened after the ship. The S.E. trades proved very steady, and in 30 deg. S., 25 deg. W., a strong gale was experienced. Passed the meridian of the Cape on the 18th April, in 41 deg. S. lat. On the 17th, spoke the ship .Rifleman, from London to Sydney, 73 days out. On the 26th of the same month was again in company, both vessels running down with strong westerly winds and fine, weather, between the parallel of '47 deg. and. 48 deg. S. Passed Tasmania on the. 15thinstant, and experienced S. and E. winds across, sighting Cape Maria Van Dieman on Friday last. Passed the North Cape the same night at 10 o'clock, and the Bay of Islands at 2 a.m. on Saturday morning. Had fresh N.W. winds along the coaßt to the island of Tiri Tiri, when the wind fell light, and hauled more to. the westward. Worked up the gulf, and auchored in harbour at two p.m. yesterday, having made the passage from Dartmouth in 108 days. Passengers—Saloon: Mr. Edward Whita ker, Bey. E. M. Nelson, Miss Hannah Moss, Mr. A. Bridge. Second Cabin : Mr. and Mm. E. C. Carnes, Mr. and . Mrs. Henry Allender, Sarah, Martha, and Mary Jane Allender, John Young, William Buckett, John Hendry, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Salt, It. W. Smith, William Parkes, John Suther land and child, R. F. Spencer, Frank South ard, J. Mason, George Walburn, Hannah Jeffcott, Leah Wood, Louis Stephens, Joseph W. Upchurch, William Alley, Frank Humby, Alburny, Paddon, Richard Jessop,. Mrs. Wilson, Edward and Eliza Salt.

DEATH.

Combes—On May 30, Mr. Walter Combes, of the firmjof Combos & Daldy, aged 54 years.

The funaral will leare his late residence, Hobson-s'. .-!< it, to-morrow, May 31dt, at 3 p.m. IViends ox<t respectfully invited to attend.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE.

Shoetland-stbeet. Mails -will close as under: — For Thames and Coromandel, this day at 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow, at 1 pan. and 5.30 p.m. For TaranaM and the Southern Provinces, per s.s. Phoebe, to-morrow, the 31et inst., at 10 a.m. Late letters and telegrams for transmission from the Nelson station, will he received at this office till 10.30, and at Onehunga, till 11.30 a.m. For Russell and Kawakawa, per s.s: Samson, to-morrow, the 31st inst., at 3.30 p.m. For Tauranga, per s.s. Tauranga, on Wed nesday, the Ist June, at 3.30 p.m. Mails for Sandwich Islands, British Co lumbia, North and South America, United States, &c, &c, and United Kingdom, via San Francisco, will be made up at this office, per mail packet Wonga Wonga, on Monday, the 6th proximo. S. B. Bias, Chief Postmaster.

POLICE COURT.

The following is the rota of attendance of Magistrates at the Police Court, for the week ending June 4, 1870: — Tuesday, May 31— J. A. Gilfillan and Thos. Henderson. Wednesday, June i—H. Q-ilfillan and J. H. Home. Thursday, June 2— IT. M. Jervis and S. Kempthorne. Friday, June 3—Dr. Kenderdine and A. Kennedy. Saturday, June 4—Colonel Kenny and R. B. Lusk.

The Evening Star. MONDA Y, MAY 30, 1870.

I Lsr view of our present and future I position, there is a necessity for the j introduction of systematic military I education in our schools. It is need- J less to show that it is incumbent on us to make provision for our self-defence. The last English soldier has been with drawn from our shores, and not all the mournful lamentations of the press and people, nor all the plausible arguments of commissioners, will alter the irrevocable policy of England. The " last penny and the last ship" is a beautiful myth ; and the first general war in which England is engaged will dissolve the illusion. To our own strong arms aod willing hearts we must look for the protection of our hearths and homes; and the man is insane, or a traitor to his country, that would counsel putting off the needful preparation till the day of danger. Our present system of volunteering is necessarily intermittent and unreliable. By the aid of reviews and prizes we may produce a fictitious military feel ing ; but the time required in learning military evolutions, and the terrors of the " goose-step," will continue to deter the great body of our young men from joining the ranks of the volunteers. Combined with this, dis guise it as we may, there is an odium attached to a position in the rank and file, from associations connected with the common soldier of the British army, which will require many years to obliterate. Drawn from the pariahs of society, recruited from the dissolute and idle, who have been unable or unwilling to earn a livelihood in the struggle of life, the common soldier has been regarded as among the least reputable in society ; while, from the method by which the ranks have been filled, by entrapping the half-intoxi cated through the agency of flaunting ribbons, and of fife and drum, it has been a part of the parental teaching impressed in childhood, on the great body of the people, to look on military life as a thing to be avoided. It has, besides, been in our religious education to look on war as a horrid thing; and, as a consequence, there is no great nation in modern times in which the martial spirit is so wanting as in English communities. Nor was this blameable in times gone by. With our forefathers war meant invasion, and was a thing of desolation and empty glory. Time and the growth of popular intelligence, have changed all this; non-intervention is becoming the law of nations, and, in an especial manner, is impressed on the mind of the English people, throughout all their communities. In an embryo nation like New Zealand, war cannot mean distant expeditions and invasion; the infusion of a martial spirit can only be associated with the defence of all that is nearest and dearest; and i not only would religion sanction, but it imperatively demands the cultivation of a spirit that can only result in the protection of the weak, and the continuance of peace. There is no reason with ua for tirades against the horrors of war, or against the indulgence of a military spirit; and in our circumstances, it is a duty to infuse that spirit into our children, and teach our rising generation to take a pride in arms. Let us, if we will, go " whining" to the grave, and calling on the mercenaries of England to protect us; but let us not train up our children to " whine" when we are gone; and to continue begging

sympathy for " poor bleeding groan ing New Zealand."

The general introduction of military drill into our common schools would be attended with no difficulty. The elementary principles of military evolutions are so simple, that any teacher would quickly learn them; and if necessarily a volunteer himself and attending drill, a teacher could brinw his pupils to a high state of efficiency. It is needless to say that to the boys themselves it would be a delight; and the prospect of a parade on holidays, in presence of their friends and acquaintances, would be a stimulus that none of their other tasks would have. It should be, not a pass time, but a necessary part of school routine; and " reading, writing, arithmetic," and drill, should be the minimum curriculum of a New Zea land education. Moderate prizes, locally raised, and a graduated system of promotion, with, say the son of His Excellency the Governor, as Command-j er-in-Chief of the Juvenile Forces of New Zealand, would undoubtedly in fuse the esprit cle corps required ; and such a result would be obtained, thai in course of ten or twelve years, there would be a possible army of thorough ly trained volunteers, that would make the shores of New Zealand a terror to invaders.

As we go to press, our Chamber of Commerce is deliberating on one of the most vital subjects that ever were connected with the porb of Auckland. The question of the port of call for the San Francisco line is approaching a crisis ; our commercial men are awaking to the necessity for prompt action ; to-day they will resolve whether or not a deputation should go to Australia to neutralise the influence of Mr. Collie and the Wellington deputation; to confirm the alliance of Sydney with our intrests, or what h far better, meet the Southern deputation in the Chamber of Commerce in Melbourne, and confront the enemy in his strongest hold. The people of Auckland look to this Chamber of Commerce for defence. We trust the gentlemen who compose that Chamber will realise the dignity and responsibility of their position.

One of the secrets in the enthusiasm ol the people of Wellington just now seems to have escaped notice. It appears that Mr. Collie has brought with him a series of pictures of the trans-American route which has had a powerful effect on the minds of that simple people. Especially a pretty picture that he has of the snow sheds o~er the railway line on the heights of th< .Rocky Mountains has evoked a furore; and the Wellington people think how nice it would be to see such a nice place, and what a nice man Mr. Webb is. Mr. Collie has also a pretty picture of a. vessel, the " Costa Uica," that is not to be on the line, but it's just like another ihatis. What a pity Mr. Batchelderhasnot returned with his new panorama of the trans-American railway scenery. Used in the interests o1 Mr. Hall against it, Mr. Collie and his pictures would be nowhere; vulgarly speak ing it would " lick him into fits." A public meeting of the inhabitants of Parnell will be held at the public hall, Parnell, at 8 o'clock to-morrow evening, to receive the report of the deputation appointed to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent with reference to the for mat ion of the beach road, and to consider matters respecting the proposed new Municipal Corporations Act. It is notified that Samuel Allan Wood has filed a declaration of insolvency. A meeting of the creditors of Thomas Hume and Alfred B. Brown is fixed forthr 3rd of June, at noon. Thomas vi acfi'ar lane, Esq., has been appointed provisional trustee in the estates of James Kussell Anderson, and Daniel Orme. Daniel Orme and J. 11. Anderson will apply to pass their last examination on the 23rd June next.

The officers and men of the Auckland Squadron Royal Cavalrj Volunteers are requested to attend a meeting at the Auckland hotel, at eight o'clock to morrow evening, to take into considera tion the proposal from the Provincial Government for the new rifle ranges ; also the question of the firing for the Go vernment prizes on the 6th proximo. The Acclimatisation Society has re ceived a consignment by the Mary Shep herd in the shape of forty yellowhanimers. We trust that they will not form food for the rooks. A boy in the employ of Mr. Campbell, of Dedwood, very nearly got his brains kicked out yesterday morning. The lad was mounting his horse in Wellesley street, when, happening to prick the animal with his spur, she reared and bucked. The saddle shifted on to her flanks, and the boy slipped off over the stern, the horse lashing out viciously with his heels. A number, of persons were watching tne proceedings, expecting every moment to see the boy struck. He escaped, however, quite uninjured. An inquest was held at the British Hotel, Queen street, on Saturday after noon, upon the body of Edward Coleman, who was found dead in a cutting in Victoria Lane on the previous evening. The jury returned a verdict of " Acciden tal death," and recommended that the cutting should beatonce filled up, as being a dangerous place after nightfall. Mb. J. Bbown's musical class will complete their first course of instruction this evening, at the Music flail, Symonds street. Mr. Brown invites the pupils and their friends and any of the musical public of Auckland to attend in order to observe the result of the past six month's training previous to entering upon a second course of lessons, which will commence on June 4th.

j The Rev. 0. M. Nelson, who arrived! yesterday by the ship Mary Shepherd,|l read prayers in the evening in St. Paul's* Church. The Bishop of Auckland, who! delivered the sermon, intimated that theß rev. gentleman would be inducted into hisjj cure on Sunday next (Whitsunday.) -TheJM Soly Sacrament of the Lord's SupperJ will be administered on that day at 8 a.m.,jß and at noon in St. Paul's Church ; and atffl 3 p.m. the Sacrament of Baptism will be|| celebrated. IS City .Boaed. —The usual fortnightlyl meeting of the City Board of Commission-9 ers has been adjourned till Wednesday! next. j§

DEATH OF MR. COMBES.

The death, this morning, of Mr. Walter Combes, of the firm of Combes and Daldy, has not been unexpected in the city. Suffering so accutcly for such a lengthened period as the deceased gentle man has done, bis advanced age is more remarkable, and his final yielding to the power of the terrible disease can be hut regarded as a cessation from poignant suffering. Mr. Coombes has been one oi the oldest settlers in New Zealand, having fseen the colony through its whole history hitherto. Twenty-one years agohc was seized with the first symptoms of the malignant disease that, embittered bis life, and has at last ' ' >"is;ht him to the grave. He lias been to Kn ;land a few years ago, and had the best advice ;ind treatment for cancer, and had tho diseased portion excised ; but from the position of the centre of the disease in the eye, little hope could have been anticipated from the operation. He has been closely confined to his house for the past fifteen months, by the malady, and, as is always the case in this dreadful scourge, ho lias suffered excruciating pain. Mr. Combes died this morn in;?: it six o'clock, at his owe residence, in Hobson-street, from which place I lie funeral will proceed ai at three o'clock 10-morrow. The flags on the shipping and all the flagstaff's of the I he city arc waving half-mast high, in mourning for the deceased gentleman ; and we are sure that a very large number of the merchants and other citizens will to morrow unite in paying the last tribute of respect to one of our oldest residents.

STEVENS AND CO.'S NEW MUSICAL WAREHOUSE.

We have no doubt that to all those in the city possessed of musical taste and habits, there will be no inconsiderable interest attacning to the opening of a Musical Warehouse on a scale so extensive us that of Stevens and Co., Lower Q.ueen-street. This establishment, which is intended to fill the place occupied by Varty's,

some years a^o, appears from the huge

catalogue before us, to comprise all the grada tions of musical instrumentalism, from the JEolian pitch-pipe to the refined Broad wood ; from " Alexandro ct Pih," back to nigger bones; the accessories to musical entertain ment range from nigger wigs to Paganini resin, and are bewildering with tailpieces and bow hair pegs, bridges, straps, and clappers. The bare perusal of the list of Avaltzes, quadrilles, mazurkas, schottisches, galops, and polkas, would make any pair of pretty little feet go pitapatting on the floor, while the songs ascend through mazes of music from "Sally in our Alley," to pieces with mimes of such diabolical exquisite-ness sis to make one cough. Christy Minstrels, melodies, and Sabbath strains, operatic music, Italian airs and sacred music, arranged every way ; solos, duets, trios, quartettes, and straight away on from that up ; comic songs and glees; oratorios, and " Barney O'He;i" —in fact everything that conduces to the production of sound and its arrangement in tuneful cadence for the human ear seems compiiscd in the catalogue of the new musical warehouse. Mr. Stevens has provided for the wants and tastes of all who affect music, whether by wind or string, and we have no doubt he will soon be regarded in Auckland as a \evy " Jubal—the father of all such as handle the hn-p and organ."

THEATRE ROYAL.

It will be with a feeling of relief and grafifi cation that those who enjoy the drama will have seen the arrival from tho South, on Saturday last, of the Star Dramatic Company. They have already taken the Theatre Royal, and open on Wednesday night. Among the members of the company are Mrs. Harry Jackson, Mrs. Sam Howard, Misses Simmonds, Rayner, Howard, and others who have made a name in their profession. Mrs. Jackson— who is sister to Mrs. Walter Hill—is an actress of very high standing; and those who have seen her impersonation of Lady Audley will not readily forget it. Mr. Rayner is an actor who is at homo either in tragedy, drama, comedy, farce, or burlesque ; and we are con vinced that he will become a great favourite with the Auckland public. Tho comedy por tion of the company is represented by Mrs.' Sam Howard, Messrs. James, Simmonds, and l|Sam Howard, who will soon be appreoiated ||for their powers in driving dull care away. H Now that the Diorama of the Apocalvp?e, wwhicli lias so captivated ihe pleasure-seeking jfpublic, is on che eve of leaving us, we hail the Karrival of such si substitute ; and we are con fefident, from the character and fame of the f|new company, that the crowds which have |;been thronging the City Hall night after pnight will be transferred to the Theatre s|Rayal.

|| "" fi A meeting of the shareholders of the ■/Full Moon Gold Mining Company will held at tiie office of Mr. Jakins, rlQueen-street, on the 14th June.

DISTRICT COURT.— Monday.

(Before His Honor T. Beckham, Judge.) The usual bi-monthly sitting of this Court was held to-day. GHLION V. COTTSBNS. Mr. Bees said this case, which has occupied the attention of the Court, was settled. IMMIGRATION BONDS. Gillies v. Mary James and Michael Maher ; claim £48. The same v. Downes and Don nelly and another; £80. The same v. Sykes and Mitson; £24. Che same v. McQuay, £32. The same v. John Bass; £24 The same v. John Armstead and Thomas Bailey ; £26. The same v. Southgate and Althorpe ; £5. The same v. Joll and Harris; £14. The same v. Boland and Grigg; £30. The same v. Hawkesley, Molloy, and Brennan; £18. Mr. Hesketh appeared on behalf of the Provincial Grovernment. Judgment was given for plaintiff in each case. HTTNTER AND GO. V. DONOVAN Mr. J. B. Russell appeared for the plain tiffs. David Nolan said the defendant was in debted to the firm in the sum of £29 14s 7d, which amount was still due and owing. Judgment for plaintiffs. MITCHELL V. DE HIBSCH. Claim, £51 7s. The defendant was called, but did not appear. The plaintiff proved the work done. Judgment for plaintiff. MUST AND CO. V. ATKINSON. Claim, £23 5s 6d. Mr. MacCormick appeared for plaintiffs. A clerk in the employment of plaintiffs pi'oved the debt, and judgment passed for plaintiffs. BANK OF AUSTRALASIA V. MAGENTA GOLD MINING COMPANY. Mr. J. B. Russell said the sheriff's bailiff had served the writ, and the judgment was unsatisfied. His Honor made the order to wind up the company. THE SAME V, HALCYON GOLD MINING COM PANY. Mr. Eussell said that arrangements were being made to relieve the Court of any trouble in this matter. Adjourned for a fortnight. POSTER V. TWEEDSIDE GOLD MINING COM PANY. Claim, £63 8s Sri. Mr. Weston appeared for the plaintiff. Mr. Porter, wholesale ironmonger, proved the debt, and judgment passed for plaintiff. THE SAME V. HAND-IN-HAND GOLD MINING COMPANY. Claim, £63 3s lOd. This was a case precisely similar, and judg ment was given for plaintiff. Defended Case, hancock v. lewis. Hr Hesketh appeared for plaintiff; Mr. Wynn appeared for defendant. This was a plaint to recover damages from an auctioneer for not completing the sale of a quantity of beer in hogsheads. 'i'here was a verbal error in the declaration, and the counsel for plainliff asked that it might be amended. Mr. Wynn objected to amendment of decla ration at this stage of the proceedings except "upon terms." Adjourned to next Court day. ARTHUR V. LOCKWOOD. There was no appearance by plaintiff, and a nonsuit was recorded. DUFFY AND WIFE V. MACREADY. Claim, £100. This was an action to recover damages for injury done to the wife, in consequence of a bite from a dog, the property of the defen dant. The defence was that the injury was not done in a public place or highway ; that the plaintiff (wife) was on the premises without leave of defendant. From the statement of the plaintiff's counsel it appeared that Margaret Duffy went to Mr. Macready's hotel, (the " Star," Albert-street) on Sunday, in December last, for the purpose of getting some beer. She entered the premises by a side gateway, and it was in crossing the yard that the alleged injury was sustained. Mr. T. Macready said on the day in question he looked into the yard and saw a woman on her knees. Knew the woman as Mrs. Gieeson, not as Mrs. Duffy. Witness could not say which dog inflicted the injury. Had throe dogs two small white poodles, and a black New foundland puppy. Did not know which dog did the injury. His servants supposed it might have been the Newfoundland dog. Kept him occasionally on the chain, but he was loose on the day in question, being a Sunday. Had the dog for the purpose of watching the yard at night. When " raga muffins or strangers " entered the yard the log would make a noise, but not when re spectable persons passed through. The woman witness saw was " apparently half drunk." Could not say what the woman entered the yard for. Never had received complaints about the dog. The dog was not more than six months old at the time of the occurrence. Mrs. Macready was called for the plaintiff, but Mr. Russell objected to her being put in the witness-box unless she had been properly subpoenaed and her expenses were paid. The objection was overruled. The witness said she did not know a Mrs. Duffy. Knew a Mrs. Grleeson, who was called Mrs. Duffy. Saw a bite in her leg Did not know how it happened. Plaintiff said the dog had bit her. Believed she came for beer, bat there was no beer served to her. There was a muzzle got for the dog. Did not know why. The dog was not in the habit of rushing at people. It would rush at " dirty ragged people." John Duffy, examined by Mr. Hesketh : ' On Sunday, the sth December, my wife went to the Star Hotel, Albert-street, for some beer. She was brought back by a girl named Caroline, one of Mr. Macready's servants. She said she had been bitten by a clog. Saw the wound. I could put my four fingers and thumb into the wound. Mrs. Macready came shortly afterwards with some brandy to wash the wound. Mrs. Maci*eady bathed the wound with brandy. My wife was laid up J for five weeks in consequence of the hurt. My wife complains of the con sequences of the bite even now. Dr. Lee attended her, and sent in a bill with a demand for £10 Is. He sued me, and judgment went against me. The bailiffs came to my house. Access to the hotel was obtained through the side gate. Had seen many customers go in that way. Believed it was the way the public entered. I get a i living with a " truck." \ (Left sitting). I

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before T. Ritchie, Esq., and J. DllwortS Esq., J.P.s) j' DRUNKENNESS. John Ford, Henry Marshall, B. Q-. G-arbert and John Fortune, charged with this offence were each fined 5s and costs, or to be impri'. soned 24 hours with hard labour. R. J. Craig, called on the charge of being drunk and disorderly, did not appear, and forfeited bail. BREACH OP MUNICIPAL POLICE ACT, 1866. Henry Watson was charged with a breach of the above Act, by indecently exposing him self. Constable Jackson, deposed : I arrested the prisoner yesterday between one and two in Queen-street, he was exposing himself in the public thoroughfare; there were great crowds • he was walking down the street; he was drunk at the time Sentenced to pay a fine of 40s and costs, or to be imprisoned for seven days. LABCENY. J. McLeary was charged by J. T. Bedford with having stolen a hen, his property. James T. Bedford, deposed : I am a smith, residing in the Hibernia Hotel, in Wakefield street. Know the defendant. Saw him about 10 o'clock last night on my premises; heard a noise of fowls screaming and fluttering; ran' out and saw the pvisooer coming out of the fowl-house door; laid hold of him and heard the fowl fluttering in his hand ; he said he had nothing at all; I caught a fowl in his hand; I handed him oeer to a constable; the fowl produced is the one caught; it is valued at half-a crown or 3s. To prisoner : You had no drink in my house. In the evening you were refused drink. Robert M. Leary deposed: lam a constable in the Armed Police. Prisoner was given into my custody last night on this charge. Received the fowl from last witness ; it died on the way to the station. To the Bench: The prisoner was quite sober when I arrested him. Sentenced to he imprisoned for fourteen days. ■'*'■ THREATENING LANGUAGE. Eliza. Kelly was charged by Bridget Curtis with having used threatening language towards her, to wit, that she would split her head open with a bottle. The proßecufrix appearing, and desiring not to press the charge, the case was dismissed. The Court then rose.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THIS DAY.

A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held this afternoon, at half-past two, in the hall of the Mechanics' Institute. The subject announced as the matter for deliberation was " To consider the postal route from Australia to San Francisco." The following members were present at that hour:—Messrs. T. Mac farlane, Yon der Heyde, D. Graham, Bo berton, Bracher, Phillips, Morrin, Katfcray, Lewis, K. Lusk, Graham, Msaon, Owen, Garliek, Nathan, J. M. Clark. After reading the notice calling the meet ing. The following communication was re ceived: — '• Dunedin Chamber cf Commerce, "May 16th, 1870. "At a meeting of the Chamber, held this day, the following resolutions were unani mously agreed to : — " X." In the opinion of this Chamber every effort should be made by the Govemmentof New Zealand to secure the calling at a port in New Zealand of the line of steamships proposed to be established between San Fraucisco and the Australian colonies, such port not being further north than Wellington. " 2. That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be handed to Mr. Collie ; also, that a copy be forwarded to the several Chambers of Com merce in Australia and New Zealand. " 3. That a vote of thanks be given to Mr. Collie for the information laid before the Chamber. " J. S. Webb, " Secretary." The following resolution was submitted :— " That, in the opinion of this Chamber, the best route for the San Francisco mail is from Sydney via Auckland." Discussion was proceeding when Nire went to press.

LATEST THAMES NEWS.

f Saturday, 3.30. p.m. i Kubanui Company.—The fortnightly I clean up for this company took place last ; evening, and the retorting came off the > fire, a tew hours ago, the result being a magnificent yield of 1,044 ounces gold, > which is now being melted by the Bank ' of New Zealand. , Imperial Cbown. —The company hare L been opening upon the rich gold-bearing i leader cut in the shaft some time ago, and . it is found still gold-bearing and rich. It ' runs very flat, and to all appearance, is I the now well-known Belfast leader—the » drive towards the Golden Crown reef is 1 being pushed, forward vigorously from • the Imperial Crown end, and also from . ; the Golden Gate shaft. The country | looks well, and I hope when the reef is cut ■.; it will show the precious metal as it ought 'to do—looking to the quality of the ground they are now driving in. , Golden Cbown have retorted very > little this week at their own machine, in • consequence of so very little having been • ' put tli rough, no water whatever beink available. In a great measure, they de^ ' pend upon a supply from the Caledon;."v but tbirf having been at a stand, and p>*.., fluming from the Golden Gate not being finished, it has sadly tried them. From Tararu they have received for the week 80 ozs. of retorted gold from 104 tons, and 30 ozs. from 34 tons at their own mill. Wild Mibsoubi have brought to town 34 ozs. of gold from a parcel of stuff crushed at tlieir own machine. . I \ Clyde and Tynk.—The retorting for jthis company, i! the F.M.K. battery, is

EHE EVENING STAft, MAY 30, 1870.