SHIPPING.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

ARRIVALS. May 1. i Queen of the Isles, schooner, from Lyttelfcon. Meteor, schooner, 43 tons, Anderson, from Wangarei. Kato Grant, schooner, 40 tons, Davies,from Wangarei. •,;':•. /'!■*. - ' Kauri, schooner, 41 tons, T. Shephe_*a, from Napier. m' ■■ - May 2. »• . Deva, brig, 200 tons, Lane, from Nf^castle.

DEPARTURES.

May 2. Anne Main, barque, W. Main, for London. Oomerang, p.s., T. Chrisp, for Napier Saucy Lass, schooner 38 tons, McGregor, for Napier, via Wangaroa. - Argo, schooner, 32 tons, Soze, for Russell.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Fob London.—Mallard, May 23 ; Inflexible, early. China—Alice, early. - Sydney.—Constance, 4th May; Hero, 4th May. Newcastle. —Alice, early. Wangabei.—Meteor and Kate Grant,, to-day. to. _ Southern Ports.—Rangatira 4th; Phcebe

sth inst. ' "■'■- Wanganui.—Storm Bird, 3rd inst. - Bay of Islands.—Samson, early. Melbourne.—Hero, s.b., 4th; , ~ San Fbancisco.—City of Melbourne, ..s. 4th inst.

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Stormbird :—From Wanganui—l7 kegs butter, G. W. Binney; 2 ditto ditto, A. Barnes. From Tarauaki—l case plants, C. T. Wren; 1 ditto ditto, A. Beetham; 9 packages, A. Barnes; 7 caseß butter, Clark and Thompson; 1 gun, W. Oliver; 1 keg butter, G. Ellis. — Combes & Daldy, agents* Per s.s. Eangatira:—From Dunedm— 20 sacks oatmeal, G. W. Binney; 6 bags, 17 sacks, order; 16 hhds. ale, Sampson, Eraser and Co.; 1 trunk, T. Ellison; 1 case, A. Buckland; 1 parcel, D. Sheehan. From Lyttelton, 100 sacks wheat, C. J. Stone; 30 cases cheese, G. W. Binney; 6 ditto ditto, Cruickshank, Smart & Co.; 13 sacks grass seed, H. Hall; 1 parcel, A. Form. . From Wellington—l case, Stuckey. — Combes and Daldy, agents. Per brig Dera, from Newcastle : 340 tons coals, Auckland Gas Company.

THE COMERANG FOR NAPIER.

The p.s. Comerang will take her departure at 4 o'clock this afternoon for Napier and Taloga Bay, with several passengers.

Cargo : 1 case machinery (ex Inflexible), W. F. Smith ; and a quantity of sundries. ~.,•)

ARRIVAL OF THE DEVA.

The brig Deva, Captain Lane, arrived in harbour this afternoon from Newcastle, bring ing a full cargo of coals for the Auckland Gas Company. The Deva sailed from Newcastle on the 16th ult., and has had a tedious pas sage of 16 days. * . .

ARRIVAL OF THE STORM BIRD.

The N. _J. S. N. Company's s.b. Storm Bird» Captain Doile, arrived in the Manukau, yesterday, from the South, with a large number of passengers and a quantity of general cargo. She left Wellington on the 23rd, at 11 a.m., and arrived at Picton at 5 p.m. same day ; left Picton on the 24th at 2 a.m., and arrived at Nelson on the 25th at 7 a.m. ; left Nelson 25th, at 3 p.m., and arrived at Wanganui 27th, at 10 a.m., leaving i again 29th, 9 a.m., and arrived at Taranaki on the 30th, at 10 a.m..; left again same day at 4 p.m., arriving in the Manukau on the Ist instant at 1.30 p.m. Severe weather was experienced throughout the passage. PASSENa-ERS.-r-Saloon : Mr. and Mrs. Kenny and chiid, Mr. and Mrs. Williamson and child ; Messrs. Leney, Gill, Tores, Smith, Allen, Nicholas, Captain McDonnell, and three in the steerage. We are indebted to Mr. Curtis for files.

ARRIVAL OF THE RANGATIRA.

The s.s. Rangatira, Captain Renner, arrived in the Manukau yesterday morning at 2 p.m. She left Port Chalmers at 6 p m. on the 23rd April, and arrived at Lyttelton at 8 p.m. on the 24th; left Lyttelton at 4 p.m. on the 25th, and arrived at Wellington at .12 noon on the 26th; left Wellington at 7 a.m. on the 28th, and arrived at Picton at 7 p.m. same day; left Picton at 8 pirn., and arrived.at Nelson at 7 a.ia on the 29th; left Nelson at 7 p.m. on the 29th, and arrived as above. Experienced fine weather from Port Chalmers to Nelson; from thence strong N.W. winds with heavy sea. Passengers—Mr. and Mrs. Eastwood, Mr. De Wolfe, Mrs. Stock, Mr. Buchanan, arid 14 in the steerage.

We understand that Captain Robinson, for merly of the Circular Saw brig Pakeha, has been appointed to the command of the brig Waverley. " The s.s. Phoebe had not arrived in the Manukau when we went to press. The schooner Saucy Lass cleared at the Customs for Napier via Wangaroa, with 30,000 feet timber, 50,000 shingles. Kauri. —The fore-and-aft schooner Kauri, Captain T. Shepherd, has made a capital passage from Napier to, this port, having left there on Wednesday last, at 6 p.m. She experienced fresh* S.W. winds till rounding Portland Island at midnight same day ; hence experienced light E.S.E. winds to the East Cape, which was passed on Friday, at 6 a.m. When off,the Cape encountered.a tearful gale from N.E., with a heavy S.S.E. sea, during which she shipped a large quantity of water. At 2 a.m., when under close-reefed sails, a heavy sea struck the vessel and shifted the ballast, giving, her a heavy list to port. The same unsettled weather con tinued to the Big Mercury, which was rounded on Saturday morning, at, 6 a.m.> arriving in harbour at 11.30 p.m. same day. She brings aeargoofwool for transhipment to London per ship Mallard. Passed the s:s. Star of the South at 8 p.m. on Thursday riight^off Open Bay, bound South, and on Saturday morning saw a steamer, supposed to be the St. Kilda,

making for Wangaparawa. A schooner was also seen heating out of Hick'sßay, supposed to be the Colonist. The schooner Kate Grant, Captain Davies, arrived!- harbour,yesterday from Wangarei, after a good pas^afe', brin_&_2 13 head cattle, ■21*horsos, 4'touff uui, aufltf^dme settlers' pro duce, also 13. pas-seug-^||y Vv \ The schboner«iMeteo_*,^ftptain Anderson, left Wangarei .ou ;,SafnJrday evening, and arrived-in liarbour.,;yestcrday morning at 10 o'clock, aft or a good riiii off* JJJir-hours. She brings lbA^as9en'^!^ai^l|^-'io-lg_vihg cargoes —15 heidi cat_le,3uolss__ct. rrfeT The Ci^lenger.—This fine Httle s^eam§r y left-onhe^'.ihaiden trip foi\,Cor6__ande_ ,^his : afternoon, 'taking several! passengers and' a quantity of general cargo/: : , * '. ' : ;. The Enterprise No. 1 will be laid up for _ few days for-an-pverhaul, and in the meantime the Lalla Rookh will do her work.

COMMERCIAL.

EVENING STAR OFFICE.

Monday afternoon.

The battery and:;sifce of the Fearnaught G.M.C. was sold by auction to-day by Messrs. S. Cochrane & Sou for,the-, sum 0f.£70. The property of Messrs. Ogilvie, Campbell & Co., advertised to be sold, was withdrawn.

MARRIAGES.

„ Watson—Pascoe. —On April 28, at the residence'of Samuel Fleming, Esq., Onehunga, by the Rev. T. Hamer, John Watson, ma chinist, to Mary PearCe, eldest daughter of Mr. Richard Pascoe.

Stewart—Lamb.-—At Riverhead, on'the 29th inst., by the Rev. R. F. MacNicol, Mr. Daniel Stewart, of Henderson's Mills, to Jane Shaw, eldest daughter of John Lamb, Esq., of Waitemata Mills.

BIRTHS.

Goodwin.—Oh April 22nd, at her resi dence, Otahuhu, the wife of Mr. Isaac Good win, of a sqn. Butcßeb.—On the 30th' April, at Ngarua wahia, the wife of W. Butcher, of a daughter.

The Evening Star. MON DAY, MAY 2, 1870.

Pheasant shooting has commenced with the month of May ; so also has poaching, for we have been informed by one gentle man that to his individual knowledge at east half a dozen acquaintances of his lown have already bagged very handsome lots without the legal authority as by statute made and provided. The following Magistrates sit on the Bench In the Police Court to-morrow : — Messrs. W. T. .Buckland and A. Clark. On Wednesday: Messrs. W. (J. Daldy and J. M. Dargaville. We would drkw the attention of our readers to the musical and literary enter tainment which takes place this evening at the Catholic .Institute,. We.*lli,-_'ton street. The object is a most praiseworthy one, viz., to aid the funds of the institute; and ns these entertainments are always well attended, -.we have no doubt there will be no exception to the rule this even ing. Music, readings, and recitations, by lady and gentlemen amateurs, will form the bulk of the entertainment, which will conclude with the laughable farce of " Pipkins' Rustic Retreat.',' New Rush in Otago.—< A rush has set in to the Nevis Gorge. O'Connell's party have averaged £50 a week per man. The latest washings are an ounce to the dish.

Sergeant Brotjghton .of the A.N.V. notifies, by order of the commandant, that a school of instruction in the elementary parts of gunnery, will be opened at Fort Britomart on Thursday afternoon next, for the instruction of the members of that body, and that lessons in the art of gunnery will be given in every succeeding Thursday. Weekly State of H.M. Gaoi., Mount Eden.—For the week ending 30Lh April, 1870: Waiting for trial before1 the Su preme Court, 7 males ; sentenced to penal servitu.de,> 38 males ; sentenced to hard labor, 80 males, 21 females; in default of bail, 6 males, 3'females ; debtors, 3 males ; received, during the week, 17' males, '8 females'; dis charged during the week, 17 .males, 4 females; total in gaol, 133 males, 24 females. ■-..< ..-.-,, ,*_,;.; ~, , ..,, Yesterday forenoon the Rev. Jamea Buller.preached a farewell sermon in the High-street Chanel,' fr-dm;'4he words " .\Ylvo hafjii, believed our report," which closed his official connection with vphat is termed the/^uoklandjCir^uit, w^here he has-; occupied tlie, posjtipn pf,pasfcpr • and superintendent during the last four years. At"; the conclusion of-'the he delivered a feeling address to the con gregation. He observed that he could not look; back upon, the past without seeing much to be thankful for, and much also to produce humiliation. He could call to mind with, pleasure many happy reminis cences and interesting scenes in connection with that place of worship, which it had been his privilege to take part ft.''during the early days of the eolquv ; and now, after spending another four years amongst them, he 'could not express/all he felt, but # earnestly prayed that they might.give ■ earniest Jifted to the* word which had been spoken." What, changes had he wit-' nessed amongst ..them in the social. pa_itiofll,«f,.B.ojpebm^.tj-iea^*^*eßtjc and church relationay-gS'pf others. Some he had had the privilege of marrying ; many had he admitted into the Church in the

ordinance of baptism ; and for not.a fern had he to discharge the;last.-sol-mfi-__t^ of committii*|gf-.,V.dust;';t'6 sdust, aljjies tft a9_es." ,_JJw-/_e;V; gentleman concluded' by trusting they -would'give £veryAearJ|; reception to^bis Successor "(Mr.'' <Rigg% who would slpitly arrive from Welling ton. In the/^ninglie also ..preached, a farewell serxMon ~a*piPitt-st.reet. During Mr. Buner'srejJid.ncMn^udkland'lie has not only eartfea the a£P-_oii of his,.-pwn people, jbufc alp the respect and esteem of all classes *;of ihe community/ He will leave for the Thames during the week. 7'

" B,4_r£RU-Q:cY. ■—- The! Gazette notifies that Thos. MacfFarlane,: Esq., has been appointed Provisional Trustee for the Northern Judicial District under " The Bankruptcy Act, 3867, vice, J. __. Mow bray, Esq., resigned. ■

AUCKLAND RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

A parade of the Auckland Rifle Volunteers was held this morning, at half-past six, in the Albert Barrack reserve. There was also a very good attendance, about 100 men, in cluding the band, having put in an appear ance. Ten rounds of ammunition were served out, and the members practised the feu dejoi, formed into battalion and company square to resist cavalry,'firing 'in file, and some skir mishing were gone through somewhat better than usual. . We learn that these parades are to be held every week for'the present.

REVIEW.

Chapman's Centenary Memorial of Cap-

tain Cook's Description or New Zealand One Hundred Years Ago. Geo. T.

Chapman, publisher, Queen-street, Auck land, 1870. The days of the romance of discovery have well nigh come to a close. A few spots of the earth's surface, New Guinea and Central Africa have yet to unlock their • secrets, but the great Southern Continent that was to counterpoise the land in the northern Hemi sphere, the dream of the grand old navigators of last century, with its fabled wealth surpas sing that of the Indies, has passed from the ocean, and steamers are now flying in the teeth of wind and tide, by night and day where the " Dolphins," the " Adventures," and the " En deavours" crept slowly among coral reefs in search of El Dorado. We cannot help envy ing our forefathers their dreams of romance, and feeling that the Bpirit of enterprise which fitted out expeditions to search for unknown lands and add them to the empire of England, showed a healthier national sentiment than the policy of indifference that tends to disregard the tairest portions of earth's surface, and to shut up the sympathies of a nation that was made to rule, within its own narrow instilar con fines. It is impossible to read the simple tale of Captain Cook's discoveries without being carried away by the old spirit of .adventure. Other voyagers had traversed these seas and viewed coast-lines and mountain tops from the far distance, but to James Cook the Columbus of the Pacific belongs the glory of accurately defining positions, making known the people and the products of the country, and changing the shadowy line that marked the " Terra nondum cognita" of the old charts into a portion the British Empire.

A hundred year 3 have now passed away since Nicholas Young, or " Young Nick," as he was called by his shipmates, from the mast head of the Endeavour, saw the mountain tops that rise over Poverty Bay ; and on the evening of Sunday, the Bth of October, 1769, on the east side of the river flowing into Poverty Bay, the feet of Europeans first rested on the coast of New. Zealand, and British colonisation was baptized in blood. Many a thrilling scene has since attended the onward march of civilisation in New Zealand, not the least being associated with the same district of Poverty Bay ; and in the first interviews with the natives the mutual distrusts and confidences, the armed friendships, treacheries and terrible reprisals, we find the shadowing forth of the events of succeeding years. Captain Cook differs from most travellers, not only in the unprecedented accuiacy of his calculations, but in his singularly graphic style. Engaged in procuring data for the most important astronomical questions, working out his pro blems founded on his observations of the transit of Venus and of Mercury, and correcting the miscalculations of astronomers, in the little .cabin of the Endeavour, his narrative of the voyage, reads like a romance. No profes sional discussion, nor technical jargon blurs his pages; and having taken up his story it is all but impossible to lay the work aside without reading it through. To us who are resident near the scenes of those adventures of a bygone age, who can look out on the waters where the Endeavour, first of English ships, lay one hundred years ago, it is of singular interest to know the impressions produced in the mind of the great circumnavigator by our mountains and fertile plains, our rivers, and, above all, our unrivalled harbours, viewed by his professional eye. As we see on our maps the designations of headlands, bays, islands, their apparently arbitrary names are invested with a lasting interest when associated-with the life of the ship's company of the Endeavour. . The first description of the Bay of Plenty, Mercury Bay, Cape Colville, Waiheki, and the other islands of our harbour; the sailing up. Hauraki gulf, and the vessel swinging to her anchor off Tararu; the boating expedition away past the site of Grahamstown and up the Thames; the meeting with the subjects of the good old Toiava, who had come* across the mountains from the other coast —all this comes . up....t0 .us through the dim vista r of a. hundred _j ears as in a romance. The time has been well chosen by the enter prising publisher for bringing the story,of the discovery and the planting of the British Standard in New Zealand before the minds of the colonists ;, and his beautiful centenary edition," so profusely illustrated with litho graphs and notes connecting the present with the far past, not only reflects the highest credit as a colonial production, but should be re cognised as a. public service. No more fitting tribute than the publication of his own'story could be paid " To t c memory of England's greatest navigator, . Captain James Cook." " The eyes of the civilised world we're upon him, ond honour, integrity, all that is excel lent or/dear to man in his progress to honest, fame, incessantly urged him on in his scientific course.";,' Nx>-sculptured marble, or brazen tablet marks the spot where Captain Cook fUafc *9§t Jijgi^op/jpn,New..Zealand at Poverty Bay; but*in his own' simple :'narrative-— ---imperishable as the language in which it is written —he has left his " monumentum acre pcrennius."

CITY BOARD MEETING.

' v ADAY. ' T_¥ usual of ti3ooity^ B-ard of^pmmissib_ei»''was held thi^day, m 2 o'clock, in their offices, Canada! Buildings;' PaA. __^ps,-^_irman of the Board, pre siding. '. |I| ~-> c "-'-"k:__ ~.. _ ,_ 7" i Present:-Messrs..; George, Hampton,Ma cready, Bugden, and-StaineS. * *V ';.- The minutes of the,preceding meeting were read and confirmed. .* > -"'MAIN SEWEB. -V' The following correspondence was received; and submitted to the meeting," •'. *t, \ "'..."''-" "Superintendent's Office, . ""Auckland, April3o. «Sir,-rl have the honor to request that you will bring under the notice of the members of the City Board of Commissioners the follow ing scheme, which may possibly serve to abate in some measure the nuisance existing at. the, embouchure of the main sewer: —

" The Government will provide a barge, and make arrangements to tow it out into deep water beyond the iufluence of tides affecting the harbour, provided the Board will engage men to fill into the barge at proper times the mud now lying at the mouth of the sewer from which the exhalations rise, _\

" The City Board apparently have not the powers necessary to deal with this matter effectively, and the Provincial Government has not at its disposal funds,for permanent oper ations, but both being anxious to do what is possible for the relief of the citizens from the risk and annoyance caused by this nuisance, may thus by co-operation effect a temporary abatement. I have the honor to be, Sir, ni * Your obedient servant, J. R. Nicholson, Provincial Secretary. (Left sitting.)

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

A Provincial Government . Gazette, pub lished on Saturday, contains a notice that native ganie, with the exception of curlew, may be hunted, shot, taken, and killed, within the Piovince of Auckland during the months of April, May, June, July, and August; .noti fications regarding leases which have been granted, withdrawn, cancelled, and which are open for selection; one has been granted, one withdrawn, eighteen are open for selection; and forty-six leases have been cancelled ; notice that the district of Parawai has been brought under the provisions of the Auckland Municipal Police Act, 1866; amended boun daries of the Waikomiti Highway District; ditto Waitakerei South Highway District; notice that thie Titirangi Highway District is a district under the Act; that the first meet ing of the electors of the Waikomiti will take place at Captain Cable's house, Waikomiti Parish, on the 4th of May ; appointment of Mr. Alexander Beveridge to be pilot; for the port Of Hokianga. The Gazette also contains a notification that tenders, in writing, will be received at the Superintendent's office until noon of May 16th, for a lease of three years of the school reserve at Eemuera; delegation of- the powers vested in the Com missioner of Crown Lands to the Trusceeis of the Mount Albert and Tamaki East Highway Districts; list of Crown grants awaiting de livery at the office of the Registrar of Deeds, as specified in the schedule; application to register the Reformed Gold Mining Company, and notice of the sitting of the Native Lands Court at Ahipara on the Ist June next, and following days.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT A FLAX MILL.

A beriotts accident occurred on the 26th ult., on the farm of Mr. G. E. Clark, near Cam bridge, Waikato. One of the workmen em ployed in the erection of a dam at the flax mill, was working underneath a perpendicular embankment, when a large quantity of earth —about a ton—fell oh the top of him, crush ing him into the soft ground on which he stood. The man was soon extricated by his brother workmen, when it wag found that he had been injured severely by some boulders, which had descended with the soil. He was at once conveyed to the houso of Mr. Clark, and medical assistance obtained, and on the following day, when the news jlejfj. :he was lying in a precarious state. Our correspondent does not send us the man's name, but says that he was a labourer employed on the farm

POLICE COURT.—Monday

(Before James O'Neill, Esq, and James Baber, Esq., J.P.'s.) DRUNKENNESS. William Adie, charged with this offence, not appearing, forfeited bail. Thomas McMauus and James Eitney, charged with the same offence for a second time, were severally fined 10s., or to be im prisoned 48 hours, with hard labor. -.; f_n ' "*J * ''- DESERTION.,. *, H it*"Hgt ':■ George Weekes,: charged with'being a de serter from H.M. ship Phceue, pleaded guilty, and was remanded for a week. LARCENY. John Tackbury was charged with stealing a blanket from the house of G. H. Evans, value Bs. 6d. There being no case the prisoner was dis charged.; :•■;'• BROACHING CARGO. Daniel Clark w.s charged by James MoKenzie with 'j having broached cargo on board the schooner Herald, and stolen a bottle of gin, value ss. Prisoner pleaded guilty. It appeared that prisoner had charge of the vessel in the absence of the captain, who was ashore. The Bench took a merciful view of the case, arid ordered him to forfeit ss. of his wages and costs, in all 14s. Peter Scott was charged by Lieutenant George Fox, of the surveying schooner Edith, with having Btolen from that vessel one revolve*.*, five pairs stockings, and some worsted,'- total :.va!ue £7 19s, the property of H.M.S. Colonial Government. George Fox, deposed: lam Lieutenant of the Edith, at present in" charge of the Stiirt. Know; prisoner; he was, cook on board the Edith; he was transferred'to the Sturt; On ( Saturday la. t, found-. -hat the revolver was' missing; I had prisoner's bag searched, and inhis bag I saw the revolver now produced talenTrom it • "iT is' thl^-Prly'of ff.M'.S. Colonial Government, and part of the stores

of the Edith; it is valued £1 10s; found a_o ■ five pairs stockings and worsted, value 8s or pOs ; they also are the property of the 'Government. . jg Pris9ner pleaded guilty, but said he did not, pmean to -teal them, but only to remove them 'from one vessel to the other. Sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with hard labour. HABITUAL DRUNKENNESS. Jane Kelly, charged with a bfeach \oi the Vagrant Act, by habitual drunkenness,;. did not appear. Sergeant McOafferty proved service of summons, and a warrant wa,s issued for*her arrest. V'■'.\ ■ The Court then rose. f.

ARRIVAL OF THE 'RANGATIRA' AND 'STORMBIRD.'

LATER SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

THE EIFLE CONTEST.-

THE N.Z.S.N. COMPAN?

EXTEAOEDINAEY CASE OE SUICIDE.

THE OTAiGrO GOLD FIELDS.

By the arrival of the Rangatira and Stormbird, in the Manukau, wo have latest Southern files and telegrams.

NELSON, April 26. The twentieth session of the Provincial Council waß opened to-day. The Superinten dent's address shows a deficiency m the estimated revenue of the past year of £18,4-5. He takes a hopeful view of the future, owing to the auriferous reefs discovered at the Lyall, Wangapeka, and Doliingwoba'." 8 ■ QTTEENSTOWN, April 21. William Fox, the noted prospector, and his mate, started by steamer this morning to prospect the country between* the bead_of Lake Wakatip and Martin's Bay. £40 was subscribed by the inhabitants of Queenstown for that purpose. About twenty diggers started at the same time for the same part of the country. £'::• r.-fs&tr*. At a public meeting held on Tuesday even ing, it was resolved to open the Shotover bridge early next month with a grand cere mony, and a free luncheon tor 1000 persons. The Superintendent, Secretary for Land and Works, and the Mayors and Councillors of Clyde, Cromwell, Alexandra, and Lawrence, are to be invited on the occasibn. DUNEDIN, April 25. The dinner to Mr. Fox was a great success. It was attended by the two Judges, and a large number of the bar. Mr. Driver addressed his constituents on Saturday, and received a vote of confidence. He opposes Auckland as the port of call for the San Francisco steamers, and supports the claims of Wellington. He also supports the abolition of the provinces. Advices from home.state that one hundred persons havo offered themselves for profession ships in the Dunedin University. The Cromwell Company have struck a new reef, of which the indications are extremely favourable. - " The representatives for the Colonial Go vernment Prize Firing arrived in Dunedin at 10.30 on Sunday morning, after an excellent passage. The firing takes place on the 27th, 28th, and 29th. The Dunedin representatives are sanguine of retaining the belt. There is a concert here on the 26th. A ball, dinner, and supper,, will be given to the representa tives on Friday, Saturday,' and Mpriday, res pectively, and they expect to leave this "city on the 3rd of May. The weather is unfavor able at present. April 29. The Caversham election came off yesterday, with the following result: — MTndoe ... ... 146 Cutten ... - .._ i ... 71 iV : Graham ..., ... ... 16 Robertson ... ... v ;.i 9

COLONIAL RIFLE CONTEST.

The first day's firing commenced yesterday at 10.30. The weather was cold and wet, the ground being sodden with snow and rain, and showers of sleet and rain occurring at inter vals. The second event was not over till 5 o'clock. The first match was-^-

Judging Distance , Prizes.—At such dis-; tances, not exceeding 600 yards, as maybe': appointed by the officer in, command of the firing party; 5 shots the whole to be fired by each, competitor, who will judge his own distance; maximurri points, 20; no prize to be given for a less score than 13 points. Ist prize, £9; 2nd prize, £8; 3rd prize, £7. Ist—Hazard (Thames) ... . ••• 18 2nd~-Wilson (Otago) ...... ~.-;. ,18 3rd-r-Cameron (Christchurch) . ...18 Highest Wellington score—Halse, 15. 2nd Set op Prizes. —At ranges of 400, 500, ; 1600 yards ; 7 shots at, each range ;; maxi : mum points, 84 ; no prize to be given for a Jess score than 56 points. Ist prize, £40 and NR;A. silver medal ; 2nd prize, £30 and silver medal ;, 3rd prize, £20 and silver medal. '....,.,-. Ist—iiazard (Thames) ... ... 44 2nd—Wilson (Otago) ... ... 44 3rd —Moore (Nelson) .... ... 42 Highest fi/elHrigton score—-Halse, 41. April 28. Mr. Fox addressed a crowded meeting at the theatre last night. He excused the Government way, policy, and complimented Dunedin on its progress. Mr v Reynolds moved a vote of thanks, which-' was carried with oheers. '"-,_■ , . '. .■.'■' '. 7

GENERAL NEWS.

WELLING_CON. _

; New....Zea^ajtd Steam Nav-GA-H.n: Com l__Ni;—The extension of time for the reception of tenders for the purchaSl'§l ih#sa_tf _f this company expired on Thursday, and the liqui

dators proceeded! to open the tenders received. There were two for the purchase of the whole plant, one from the Circular Saw CoDpany for, we believe, £16,000; and one frtom the new local company, for, we believe, £1*7,000, As neither of these amounts reached tile limit fixed by the liquidators, both Were refused, A tender from Messrs. Krull and Co. for th_ purchase of the s.s. Ladybird, at £850, was accepted. We understand she has been bought on behalf of an Auckland firm, and that sheds to be converted into a sailing vessel. The remainder of the N.Z.S.N. Com pany's fleet fend plant will be sold by auction. Waibabapa Lake.—The Provincial Secre tary, accompanied by two officers of the Challenger, left town for the Wairarapa on Thursday morning, for the purpose of examining the lake, to see if it would be possible to open it up for naviga. tion, as suggested by the settlers in the locality. We shall anxiously await the result of the examination. Whatever.it maybe, the public must feel-indebted to ConModore Lambert for his courtesy in so kindly placing the services of his officers ac the dispCHof" the Government, for the purpose of ascertain ing the capabilities of. the lake. ~ ,',' , 7.' . ! The deputation appointed at the rebeht meeting held at the Chamber of Commerce, (A persons engaged in business, waited on in, •Collie yesterday afternoon. The deputation consisted of the Hon. C. J. Pharazyn, Messrs. ,\V. B. Rhodes, George Hunter, W. M. Banna tyne, E. J. Duncan, and E.T. Gill6-,.a_d.<was'j introduced by Captain M'lntyre, U-.S.iOonstd.1: • Mr. Khodes explained the object which the ; . deputation had in view; and Mr. Collie" ex-*"" pressed his readiness to afford all the infor mation relative to the line of steamers he pro -•■ posed to establish/and the advantages which might naturally be expected to accrue fr6la.iti» to New Zealand. Something having besn said to the effect that the Government entertained doubts as to whether Mr. Collie was duly accredited, he produced his credentials from Mr. Webb, and also letters from the English Consul at San Francisco, testifying to his commercial position. A long and interest ing conversation ensued, in the course, of which he mentioned a number of products of America and the South Sea Islands, in which a large traffic might be opehed with* these* colonies in exchange for many of our products which command high prices there, As an instance, butter.selling here for fd. per pound would readily fetch in San Francisco* 2s. to 2s. 4d. ; preserved meat, such as is • now being manufactured in some parts of New Zealand, would also meet with a ready sale at remunerative prices, as well as gum, flax, and other articles. Mr. Collie explained th<vt his steamers being placed on the line was en tirely contingent on sufficient subsidies being received from America and Australia. He had little doubt that the United States Go vernment would grant the amount he required from them, and if New Zealand and' Au stralia would make up the remainder, there would be no further difficulty in the way. He was in favor of making Wellington the port of call. The deputation promised to support Mr. Collie's line, and to use all its influence with the Government and Legislature to obtain the requisite subsidy.— Evening Post, 26th ult. The Wellington Gas Company seems to be now becoming a tangible fact. Tenders are invited for the erection of offices,.-fencing, gates, &c, and in a comparative short time, operations will be in full blow. We cordially wish the spirited projectors of the enterprise all the success they merit. — Ibid. The steamers Lord Ashley and Ahuriri, which sailed for the South last evening, were forced to run back to harbour this morning, having encountered a furious southerly gale, with a very heavy sea, outside. — Ibid, April 27.

NELSON.

Wakamarina.—-The low state of the rivers during the last few weeks has enabled the miners at Wakamarina to work some of the bars not previously reached, and several rich finds have been the result. — Examiner, Apri23

CANTERBURY.

Fatal Accident in Lyttelton.—We re» gret to have to record the occurrence of a melancholy and fatal accident yesterday morning, on board_the barque Union, now discharging a cargo of coal alongside the Government Wharf. While on_» of the buckets of-coal was being swung ashore* it struck against the mainstay, the catch" slipped, and the contents fell into the hold. A piece struck a seaman named William Taylor, and almost drove his head into his body—death being instaritaneous. The deceased (a native of Norfolk), was removed to the Canterbury Hotel, where the inquest will this day be held. A general gloom was caused by this sad event, arid the flags'in the town were hoisted half-mast.— Lyttelton Times, April 23.

OTAGO.

A strange case of suicide was discovered at theKaikorai on Tuesday afternoon; when it was. found that Mr. Robert W. 8. Grieve, manager of a flaxmill there, had hanged him self in his own house. As he. had not been seen since, Sunday night, suspicion .was aroused, and one of the neighbours effected, an entrance. He found the, ,decea?ed suspended from the roof *in a., state of nudity. His _ feet were partly resting on a door mat, and behind him was a chair, off which he had evidently jumped. . He had made a loop, of a silk scarf, to which he added a piece of'rope, which was fastened to some pieces of scantling nailed to gether, and restirig on the trimmings of the door. . - The doors had been locked from the inside, and\tbe>< window-blinds were down^ From the disarranged state of the bedclothes it is conjectured that he had previously been in bed. A light was seen in the house about 11.30 on Sunday night*, and the milk boy who called at the house on Monday morning knocked several time., but>.as Sot answered. The deceased, who^was* a^"" engineer, was unmarried, about 30 years old. and a native of Edinburgh. He was, /well known here, and came^Jto the colony about five years ago in charge of the Government dredging machinery, which was afterwards erected in the Exhibition building under his supervision. He was subsequently contractor fir and superintended the Work carried on _V the little dredge Pioneer. It is supposed that recent pecuniary losses preyed upon his mind and led him-to v commit this aot.^ At. an,-inquest held at the: Argyll' Hotel, Kaiko/ai Valley, before Mr. T. M. Hocken, the jury returned a 'verdict that''";The deceased -Robert William Syinirigton ° Grieve— oommitted suicide by hanging himself, whilst in a' state of temporary insan_^7M^the7E*iiki»rai Valley, on or about .ttatfslUfch day of April, 1870, in the passage ot the house he lived in."— lbid, April 2V.

THE EVENING STAK, MAY 2 9 _ 1870.



WANTED,— A Thorough GARDENER. —Apply Waitemata Hotel. ANDERSON & GARLICK, (Late Lilewall & Rattray), MHIPCHANDLE.RS, SAILMAKERS, &0., LOWER QUEEN-STREET.