SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET—This evening, 7.11. HIGH WATER—This evening, 10.11

STEAMER FOR THE THAMES TO MORROW. Golden Crown, 10 o'clock

ARRIVALS.

Eleanor, barque, Black, from Newcastle W C Wentworth, barque, McDonnell, from

Newcastle Clyde, Bchooner, from Whangarei Hercult3, schooner, McMaster, from New castle

DEPARTURES.

Waverley brig for Newcastle. Tokatea, barque, for Sydney

IMPORTS.

Per barque W C Wentworth : 293 tons coals 348 bags maize J S Macfarlane (agent) Per Eleanor, from Newcastle : 565 tons coals 15 tons coke 4| tons bones Henderson and Macfarlane (agents). Per Hercules, from Newcastle : 250 tons coals, Auckland Gas Company.—Stone Bros., agents,

EXPORTS.

Per Lsetitia, schooner, for Levuka —25 cases geneva 12 do brandy, 6 do whiskey, 12 do wine, 2 pkgs cigars, L D Nathan &Co ; 10,000 feet sawn timber, 8,000 shingles, Schappe and Ansenne, 30 sacks potatoes, 20 do flour, 43 tins biscuit, McKenzie ; 2 cases drapery, McArthur Shera and Co; 6 do furniture, Blood ; 2 pkgs sundries, 2 cases drapery, 1 do herrings, L D Nathan & Co ; 1 parcel sta» tionery, Upton ; 3 pkg glassware, Blood—M Nico], Agent.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Fiji—La3titia, schooner, this day Sydney—City of Adelaide, ss, 23rd inst Southern ports—Taranaki, 19th inst Wangarei—Clyde, schooner, this evening, at 9pm

VESSELS EXPECTED.

City of Adelaide, s s, from Sydney Albion, s s, from Sydney Napier, s s, from Napier City of Auckland, ship, from London, sailed

September 12 . Caduceus, ship, from London, sailed Oct 18 Luna, ps, from Southern ports Taranaki, s s, from the South Eerndale, barque, from Liverpool Mary Miller, barque, from Adelaide Prima Donna, schooner, from Sydney Galatea, schooner, from Sydney Frowning Beauty, barque, from Newcastle Bella Mary barque from Hobart Town

JJThe barque Briton, Capt Dyson, leaves for Newcastle this evening. The schooner Lsetitia, Capt Davis, leaves for Levuka this afternoon. Passengers— Mr and Mrs Clark and two children, Messrs Yates, Irvin, Haslett. The barque Tokatea, formerly called the Eobert, left early this morning for Sydney in command of Captain Philip Jones. The barque Eleanor yesterday even ing from Newcastle. She left on the 30th ult, and reports fine weather throughout with light N E and E winds. We are indebted to Captain Black for files of Newcastle papers. The barque W O Wentworth arrived yester day evening from Newcastle, sixteen days out; experienced fine weather and light winds. The Clyde schooner from Wangarei arrived in harbour last evening with 14 head cattle, 5 tons gum, 1 ton onions, \ ton butter, and a quantity of settlers' produce. She will leave for Wangarei again this evening. The schooner Hercules left Newcastle on the 25th ult; had light winds throughout.

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND-STREET.

Mails — For Wangarei, tec, per Clyde, this day, at 5 p.m. For Thames, on Monday, 18th instant, at 1.30 and 5.30 p.m. . For Wangaroa, per Speedwell, on Monday, 18th instant, at 8.30 a.m. For Kapanga, &c, per Lalla Rookh, on Monday, 18th instant, at noou. For Wangarei, Kawau, &c, per Duke of Edin* burgh, on Monday, 18th instant, at 5 p m. For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per s s. Taranaki, on Tuesday, 19th instant, at 10 am. Late letters and telegrams, for trans mission from the Nelson station will be received here till 10 30 am., and at One*, hunga till 11 30 a m- Mails for the undermentioned places per ps Nevada, will close at this office on Thurs day, 28th instant, a3 follows : — For Sandwich Islands, British Columbia, Uuited States of America, British, Central, and South America, British and Foreign West Indies, and Continent of Europe via England, at 10 30 a m. For United Kingdom, via San Francisco, at 10 30 a m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 9 a m. Late letters for United States of America and United Kingdom, bearing a late fee of 6d in addition to the postage, will be received here till 11 a m, and by the mail agent on board the steamer up to time of sailing. J BISS, Postmaster.

COMMERCIAL.

MINING.

The following are the current calls and ividends payable in the companies named

BIRTH.

Taylor.—At her residence, Grafton road, on December 15, the wife of Mr Thomas Taylor, of a son.

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

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that wo can do."

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1871.

A few days ago a mysterious looking advertisement appeared in a contem porary summoning a meeting of citi zens. The notice ran as follows:— " The ratepayers of Auckland are re quested to meet on the Reserve next the Thistle Hotel on Saturday evening next, at 6 o'clock sharp, to nominate a fit and proper person as Mayor for election by the City Councillors" The notice affords no indication of its origin ior authorship, the promoters of the movement having apparently a delicacy of some kind in relation to the agita tion. When the subject of holding a public meeting to fairly canvass the important question of tho Mayoralty was first mooted, we were of those who looked favorably on the proposal. Rut in feeling thus we contemplated a different style of thing from the irregular burlesque on a pub lic meeting which appears to _be intended for to-night. This has plainly emanated from the brain of some one that knows nothing whatever of the Corporations' Act, but was willing to spend a couple of shillings in an ad vertisement on the chance of some thing turning up. The author of the meeting is evidently under the im pression that the Mayor can be nomi nated by the people, the choice to be afterwards confirmed by the Council. We admit that a man knowing nothing at all on the subject is liable to have such impression conveyed to his mind by the class of correspondence which this question has evoked. But we mistake the character of the greater number of the members of the City Council if they are going to set for themselves the precedent of having the choice of Mayor taken out of their hands. And we do not hesitate to say that any gentleman who may obtain the suffrages to-night, of a meeting so irregularly convened, and for the purpose . of'" overawing the Council, will have his chances of elec tion considerably damaged thereby. Had the meeting been convened in a manner respectful to the City Council, under its sanction and approval ob tained, and with character stamped by the names of two or three, or even a single citizen, of respectable position, great good might have resulted from the subject being fairly and dispassion ately considered. But as it is, the very authors of the movement being ashamed or afraid to own their con nection with it, and hoping to be able to put forward others to draw out their roasted chestnuts, while they themselves may rest concealed, there is no likelihood of any person attend ' ing with the serious intention of doing business.

We regret that it is so. Although the public have no right to interfere with

the Council iv the matter of this election, there cannot be a doubt that the public expression of a properly convened assemblage of citizens would be listened to with deference. But as the case stands now, the Council is bound by a sense of what is due to its own dignity to reject the dictation of an assemblage, the prime movers in which are ashamed of their position.

The Provincial Counicil will meet specially on Monday afternoon, at 3 o'clock.

In cases of need, or in any distressing circumstance, there are always individuals found who have benignity enough to allow their benevolence to flow over, causing tho suffering one to leap for joy at the sudden influx: of unexpected friendships. As, for instance, at tho late fire in Chapel street, when terror was reigning within and without-, two young persons belonging to the gentler sex, who had long since beon bereft of their parents, and who were now struggling with an unkind world for an honest living, were in tho act of flying from their dwelling, and eagerly saving all that was possible, were graciously assisted by a few of the stout-hearted ones, who in their eagerness to be extra kind, carried the majority of the poor girls' things—even their blankets —to their own homes. From that time to the present they have forgotten to return them, and whose conscience now feel no sting, but rejoice in their well-laid plan to rob the innocent. It is hard to watch a roguo, but sooner or later these wretches will receive their well-merited reward, and we will rejoice to see that day.

" Antipholus," writing in to-day's Weekly Herald, says : —" Particular sins are epidemic, there cannot be a doubt of it. One act of incendiarism is generally followed by half-a-dozen conflagrations and 'an 'orrid murder ' is always the precursor of a scries of slaughterings. Just now a dead set seems to be made against tho restrictions iuposed by the seventh commandment. From all the provinces I read accounts of difficulies arising from trifling mistakes made in the matter of meum and team with people's wives. There's talk of a case in Auck land, in which a lively young sharebroker is likely to appear prominently before ihe New Zealand Divorce Court, and from the Thames of another case in which a sharebroker also is involved, rather to the surprise of those who had regarded^ him as a sober-minded customer. Ah ! it's the old story about still waters. Some time since I was driven to the conclusion that your supernaturally quiet man is your most unreliable man, as far as morality is concerned. You see these very correct and proper people don't blow off the super lluous steam as most of us do at the Coin er, in little harmless larks. They shut themselves up with their books and their tea-fights uncil the pressure becomes enor mous, perhaps tho wire gets a little bit rusty, and then on the back stairs, or in a quiet lane, the cork flies out with an awful bang.

The Provincial Council sat until nearly two o'clock this morning. The Hospital Reserves Bill was read a second time after considerable discussion. The Education Bill has passed its second reading. The Kstimates were further considered in committee. The item of £500 for a cemetary site was postponed. A long and animated debate ensued upon tho item £25,000 to be paid to the Harbour Board. Tbe item was eventually carried, after two divisions upon motions to report progress.

An action was brought yesterday in the R.M. Court by Mr Williamson against Messrs Barnett and Levy to recover £13 9s 4d for loss sustained upon a case of tobacco, purchased at auction by the plaintiff, arising out of a wrong description of brand. Tho plaintiff urged that he believed he was buying the " Starlight" brand, whereas it turned out to be the " Dewberry." The tobacco had been sold by Messrs Tonks & Co, and defendants denied their liability, inasmuch as they simply acted as agents foi Mr Meyers, of Sydney, whoso name they had given to Mr Tonks as principal. The conditions of sale had not been complied with, as no complaint was made until two months had elapsed. The hearing of the case lasted until the rising of the Court, and was ad journed until next Thursday, when it will probably occupy another day.

We have been shown at Mr P. A. Philips' shop a new -invention lately im ported by him in the Chile from London. It consists of a false leather head placed on a common iron tack used for carpet fastening. Although a simple contrivance, it is a great improvement, as the carpet is, prevented from being torn when taken up.< The cost is trifling, and we would recom mend all thrifty housewives to give it a trial. The Auckland Artillery Volunteer Band will perform in the Albert Barracks this afternoon from 3 till 5 o'clock. Programme —1. Quick March, Risqutout—Falcon ; 2. Slow March, Marie—Brepsant; 3. Quadrille, Lucrezia Borgia—C. D'Alberfc; 4. Polka, Lome—Braham; 5. Valze, Pipele—Zelman; 6. Galop, Christmas Chimes—De Lacy; God save the Queen.

Here is the pithiest sermon ever preached: "Our ingress in life is naked and bare; our progress through life is trouble and care ; our egress out of it wo know not where, but doing well here we shall do well there."

The exhibition of the splendid illumi nated model of the United States steam ship Nevada will open this evening from 7 to 11.30, in the shop lately occupied by Mr Rattray, draper Shortland street. Every pains is being taken to make the whole exceedingly interesting to those who may favor it with a visit.

The Bishop of Auckland will hold a confirmation to-morrow, and preach at St. Andrews Church, Epsom.

No further applications for shares in tho Auckland Whaling Company will be received.

The lease of allotments in Breakwater Road, timber wharves and allotments in Custom House street will be disposed of on Friday next, tho 22nd inst, by Mr George Sibbin.

The lease of tolls at Queen stroet, Cus tom House street, Gore street and Break water wharfs, will bo disposed of by pub lio auction on Wednesday tho 27til inst,

SPECIAL TELEGBAMS.

Caledonian. —Eavorable Indi-

cation in low level.

Tookey's Tributers. —Another Good Crushing.

Providence. —Splendid Return

Charge of Larceny.

GRAIIAMSTOWN,

December IG, 2 p.m.

John Millan, apprehended on a warrant for larceny from the dwelling of Henry Schelt, Auckland, remanded to Auckland.

The Colibau (late Providence) crush ing of 17 tons yielded 172 ozs, making the total with specimens 274 ozs.

Tookeys (Lowe's) tributers have crushed 18 tons, which gave 56 ounces gold. The Caledonian have lodged 33G ounces for the week; more to come in. Grove's Bank have obtained 15 ounces, the result of a week's crush ing. The Inverness tributers have put through the machine 30 tons, and the return is 36 ounces. The Una have completed another good crushing, the return for the past fortnight being 144 ounces.

A trial crushing for the Missouri has given 18 ounces gold.

The George Stephenson have had a splendid crushing; 22 tons yielding the handsome return of 163 ozs.

The Golden Crown have banked 127 ozs. for the fortnight.

The Multum-in-Parvo have taken out 150 lbs specimens during tho week.

Caledonian. —Minerals have been seen in the reef on tho bottom level, similar to those on the main face.

There is nothing new from Tookeys

SHAREMARKET.

Saturday, December 16. MR J M LENNOX'S REPOHI'.

There was considerable activity in the share market this morning. My sales comprise — Caledonian, £72 10s and £70 ; Thames, £17 ; Tookey, £22; Otago, £3 10s and £3 7s 6d. Closing sellers —Caledonian, £70 ; Thames, £17 ; Tookey, £23 ; Otago, £3 7s 6d.

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY. Before Thomas Beckham, Esq.,R.M

drunkenness.

Two persons were punished in the usual manner for this offence against propriety.

breach of municipal police act,

Ellis Jones and Joseph Couzens were charged with behaving in a public place, to wit, the Barrack Reserve, in such manner as to provoke a breach of the peace. Against Ellis there had been no fewer than^twenty-oue convictions recorded Some of them were for drunkenness, others for vagrancy, and others for larceny. Both prisoners pleaded guilty, and each were ordered to pay 4Ds costs, with the alternative of fourteen days' hard labor at Mount Eden. LARCENY. William Wilson pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a coat from tho Northern Club, and was sent to gaol for six months. RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY. Martha Lamb and her husband were charged with receiving a waterproof coat from one William Wilson, well know ing the same to have been stolen. Detective Ternaham deposed,—That on the 9th instant, the Secretary of the Northern Club gave information of the tho theft of a ooat. He went to the re sidence of prisoners; who denied having become possessed of it. Yesterday he made a search of the promises, and found the missing coat in a room up stairs. Detective Jeffery corroborated the evi dence of Ternaham, and deposed to hav ing heard a conversation in the lock-up, between prisoners and Wilson, the man who stole the coat, which tended clearly to incriminate the prisoners. Sergeant Walker also testified to the con versation which took place. Captain Daveny, Secretary to the Northern Club, identified the coat as tho oi^e which had been stolen. His Worship thought there could be no doubt of the guilt of the female prisoner, although the evidence was not sufficient to convict the husband. He therefore discharged the male, and sentenced the female to 3 months' imprisonment, with hard labor. THREATENING LANGUAGE. John McQuatters was again brought up. Mr Inspeector Broham stated his belief that prisoner was deranged. Pro secutor was also under the same impres- Prisoner pleaded not guilty of having throatonod to stab Joseph Paterson. Prosecutor deposed that McQuatters drew a knife upon him for insisting on retaining certain timber which he claimed. Witness thought the prisoner was deranged. He was under the impression that all tho timber in the place belonged to him. Constable Clarke gave evidence of the same kind. Prisoner was remaned until Monday in order that he might be ex amined by the provincial surgeon. CITY RATES. David Lundon was summoned by J. W. Didams, for non-payment of city rates to the amount of £2 16 3. The debt having been proved in the usual manner, defendant was ordered to pay the amount with costs. LUNACY. On the testimony of Drs Nicholson and Bayntum, John McQuarters was sent to the Lunatic Asylum, being of unsound mind. _____________

Notice has been given by proclamation that the Alexandra Township haa Ibeen constituted a highway diatriot,

MAN ABOUT TOWN.

I TOLD Dick that if he did not restrain that confounded kangaroo, I should be forced to deal it a death blow, as its antics are getting quite unbearable. So down he goes to Cochrane's sale rooms, to see if he could buy a big dog's house cheap with a collar and chain, but nothing of the kind was to be had. A sale was on at the time of some land at Callan's Point, Stokes' Bay. It was being sold in allotments, and when they came to lot 13 a rare scene occurred. The auc tioneer put up the lot, when up jumps George Staines and removed his hat from his noble brow, and, stepping forward, took a survey of the assembled buyers. After which he addressed them in the following terms. " Look here, gentlemen, just four years ago come next Candlemas, I went to a sale of this very land, but the auctioneer then was not the present auc tioneer. I bought this very lot and the next ones to it, and I paid for it, gentle men, with my hard-earned money, and 1 was going to build a nice little marine residence on it, so that in my old age, when I had run my course and fought my fight, I might retire there with my good old woman and end my days in peace. But, gentlemen, did I get the laud I bought at that sale P No. All I had was a receipt for my money, but the deeds were not forthcoming, because the land was mortgaged and the mortgagee chap wasn't paid, and so I was choused out of my land ; I say, choused out of it, aud my money too. They have tried to sell that land again, afore now, but I have watched their little game and stopped the sale. I now call upon you, gentlemen, not to de prive a citizen of his rights ; I ask you not to bid for this property, which is mine, and I defy anyone to disprove my statement. I beg of you, as honest men, not to countenance such trickery, nor lend yourselves to such dishonesty." The people's champion having thus delivered himself, sank exhausted into the arms, or, I should say, "arm" of uncle Heavey, who was standing conveniently by. There was a pause,—a long pause, —and then, without condescending a reply, the auc tioneer again put up the lot. Ex-councillor Staines, having recovered himself, me chanically bid eightpence per foot for his own property So effective had been his appeal, that not a soul advanced on the bid, and George Staines marched tri umphantly out of tho sale room the pur chaser of his own land, greatly to the satisfaction and amusement of the persons present. " What noxt shall we see in this great city," says Dick, and followed him as far as the Metropolitan, where they " stuck up" a " shout." Dick went to the Council the other night, and returned home at a very late hour. He said he had learnt a wrinkle from the hon member for Auckland East, and an hon member „on the Executive benches. The first named gentleman asked that as there was now no getting out of the payment of the £25,000 to the Harbor Board, could not the Government devise some means of humbugging that respectable body. And as the money was to be paid could it not be paid in such a way that it would be of little use to them, in fact, could they not plead poverty and gain time, and so extend the payment over an unlimited period ? Up jumps Mr Pro vincial Secretary and says, " Dont fear, I know my book old boy, and you may rely that every dodge will be resorted to beforo wo are compelled to "part." Our pay day is once every two months, but that particular day has to be discovered, and then the whole board must come to col lect the amount, or wo dont pay. We shall require them to produce their authority, their charter, their individual right of office, in fact meet them with a thousand technicalities that will throw off the pay ment until next session. If they are ob streperous we will appease them with an instalment, and if they get noisy we will threaten them with proceedings for the ninety-three thousand loan. But leave tho Executive alone, wo pledge our knightly wordsJ^Ao t money shall not leave our coffers till the last legal quibble is answered, and tho last persuasive argu ment repelled ?" Dick says after that he will pay ho more tailor's bills. Dick vows vengeance against "Old Practical." " How dare he talk about an " early rising movement ?" Have'nt we our early closing movement, and what more does he want ? A ramble in the Domain at 5 o'clock in the morning in deed, when every honest man should be in his bed. Does he want to see old Shoreham lock * some of our city lads up on suspicion of coming to steal his strawberries ? Talk about health indeed, is'nt health obtained by rest, and how much rest can a man get who goes to bed at 2.30 a.m. and rises at 4.45, I should like to know. O.P. says he simply preaches what he practices My advice to O.P. is to keep the matter dark, as should his insane practice come to the knowledge of two legally qualified medical practitioners, his personal liberty would not be worth twenty-four hours'purchase." And Dick kept rambling on in this strain at breakfast yesterday morning until I administered a quietus on the side of the head with one of my boots that happened to be within easy reach. The boot, how ever, made a canon off Dick's head and smashed a portrait of Taglioni that I had prized for many years. On Thursday evening'T donned my uniform and went to the amatour per formance. The acting was simply grand, especially that of a young mau who played in the character of "Balthazar." The audience sat entranced, and at tho close of the piece the thunders of applause that followed must have been more gratifying to the young man, than to the landlord of building. To say that he brought down the house wonld be untrue, as he did not bring down the house. But the house had avery narrow escape.andif the audiencehad suffered that night as did the Philistines of old, the acting of that young man w.ould have been the cause. Dick did not go, but while fishing yesterday on the wharf he overheard that our old friend Hoskins had made an arrangement at the close of the performance with this very amateur to go " starring" together. But from the enquiries I have since made I can give rumour a most unqualified contradiction. Mr Hoskius was certainly struck as I myself was, but that gentleman has made an agreement with Mr B N Jones for a certain period, by which they may be looked upon in the light of partners, and however much he might like the idea, he

is too much of a gentleman and a straight forward man to break that engagement, to enter into another with "Balthazar."

Shall I go to the monster meeting to night ? Not I indeed. I always make a practice of enjoying myself on a Satur day afternoon, but Dick will be there, and says he means to nominate old George as a fit and proper person to fill the civic chair. Dick argues that it requires an even tempered man to occupy the post of honour on the magisterial bench—a man who would not allow his temper to be ruffled, no matter how he might be at tacked; and who so fit as Mr George. Dicks asks, " Did any man ever see him out of temper?" He says old G. is a comical cove too; one who by way of a joke would give the new medical officer of health a guinea out of the ratepayers' money to tell him whether tar is un healthy. Dick assures me that he won't allow anyone to speak at the meeting he does not approve of, and means to provide himself with a few dead cats, with which he will exercise his right, and show that he is a free and independent voter. I have taken tho precaution to lock up Dick's new belltopper in case of a row, and have warned him. that if he gets into trouble in the matter I will positively not bail him out.

Dick received a letter this morning with the Thames post mark. As he glanced at the superscription he blushed amazingly, which excited my curiosity. He remained taciturn all breakfast time and neglected to pass the letter over to his dad, as is his usual habit. I did not like to allude to it, as I thought it might be from some dun, or perhaps from the official agent. However, Dick remembered something';ho had forgotten, and ran away upstairs, leaving his letter on the table. Curiosity tempted me to possess myself of it. It was written in a neat ladylike hand, and ran as follows -.—" My own dearest Richard,—We arrived safely yes terday at Grahamstown, after a most pleasant passage. Iso wish you had accompanied us. The doctor was waiting for us as we landed, and took us up to his house, where we had an excellent repast, and lots of straw berries. We then had a ride on the tramway. After tea we all went to the English Church in Mary street. The performance was such fun. It was a kind of music the friends around me were better able to appreciate and discuss. The people looked pretty, and then gaslight is always more becoming than daylight. If the rest of the people did'nt get them selves up well, the singers did, that's cer tain, there was Miss —, aud —(here follow ajlist of names) they all looking beautiful. As the Messiah was performed, you could best listen with hushed breach, and an overfull heart ; but I could'nt exactly see why we were expected to stand through out the principal part of it. In old days Mamma says the audience never rose ex cept for the Hallelujah chorus. There were plenty of tears shed generally, but they did'nt seem to interfere with the lunch which everybody strove to get between the parts. The scene where the pies, cakes, &c, were sold beggars description. In the struggle more than one ice alighted on a devoted but over-zealous head, aud a fat old lady, who stood open-mouthed with astonish ment, found a teaspoon unexpectedly between her teeth, dropped from a saucer by a careless waiter. The most devoted lovers of music are not above Tennant's ale, I found ; indeed, I was inclined to think that some of the very abundant tears shed by a fat friend of Mr —-—— in the second part of the glorious oratorio were in a measure due to the copious draughts I saw him imbibe of his favorite beverage. In fact, on seeing me home to the Doc tor's, he had the audacity to propose that .." Here Dick re-entered, and I was forced to replace the letter, without being able to finish it or observe the sig nature. But I must watch my young gentleman a little more closely: 1 have noticed of late that he hasappeared strange at times, especially on Sundays. Can it he that Dick is in love, and is correspon ing with the object of his affections. We must see ? Unhappy youth !

RODNEY ELECTION PETITION.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sir, —A very unfair and incorrect state ment of the nature and design of the " Rodney Election Petition " having be come current, permit me as briefly as possible to narrate the facts of the case, which are, or should be, of more than common interest to the electors of this colony, merely premising that, tested by results, " The Regulations of Elect'ons Act 1870" has proved totally inadequate to prevent corrupt practices at elections, as the electors of this county know too well, and that it increases ten-fold the facilities for personation, &c, to what ex isted during the practice of open voting. _ It having become a matter of notoriety after the close of the last Rodney election that at several of the polling places various malpractices and illegal proceedings took place, several of the electors deeply re gretting that the newly formed county of Rodney should be so disgraced, proposed calling for an investigation, but on inquiry were astonished to find that the case would have to be tried in Wellington, and entail an enormous outlay—a plan evidently devised to put an effectual veto on at least nine out of ten of all election inquiries that ought to take place. When the Assembly met last August, they imagined that a statement of some of the most glaring of the misdoings, if laid before hon. members, might possibly re sult in an investigation; and having set about collecting the necessary evidence, wrote out a memorial, and obtained sixty four signatures (given with the utmost readiness) thereto. This took longer than was anticipated, so that it was not till the 3rd of November, that Mr A. Clark pre sented the memorial, which reads as under, to the House :'—" To the honorable the House of Representatives of New Zealand, in session assembled. The re spectful memorial of the undersigned electors of the District of Rodney, in the Province of Auckland, sheweth: That your memorialists have ascertained that at the last election of members of your honorable House various irregularities took place, in the district of Rodney, more especiall&at the polling place at Waiwera, in the province of Auckland. That, at the place and date referred to, there were at least thirteen, personations, That one

vote that was personated, viz i q9 Benjamin Gilmer, was known t 0 th Deputy Returning Officer, Mr John S derson, to be a personation; but th i when remonstrated with, the Return Officer stated he was bound to record^ though he kne w it was personated, n t at one time during the polling, there w from ten to fifteen voters in the room6^ once. That one of the scrutij-^ rg j g pared to testify that one man th/ times. That your petitioners, r ]ennahl 6 to bear the expense which wild hay been necessarily incurred in the presenta6- tion, and proof of an election petition" but feel it their duty to bring these irregularities, which they are prepared to prove by documentary evidence, before your honorable House, with a view towards steps being taken for the pre vention of such practices in future. You" memoralists therefore pray that there may be an investigation into the conduct of the above election, and that such p ro . vision may be made to prevent the recurrence of such practices as your honorable House shall think fit."

On the 6th November, Mr Farnell, well primed with May's Practice, and other books, drew the attention of the Speaker to the fact that the presentation and receipt by the House of a petition pro. testing against his return for the district of Rodney, was contrary to the forms and rules of the House. He moved that all records of the proceedings connected with the petition, be expunged from the jour nals of the House." The Speaker said the matter had escaped his attention when the petition was presented else he should have ordered that it be not received, be cause it had not been presented within the prescribed time after the election. On the following day, Mr. Clark said, "he wished to make a few observations in connection with this matter as he was not in his place when the report of the Petitions Committee was brought up. He thought the hon. member for Rodney when he spoke yesterday must have been laboring under a mis. apprehension, as the petition did not protest against his return to the House. It merely called attention to certain irregularities and asked the House to take measures to prevent the recur rence of such irregularities in the future. The petition did undoubtedly embrace something of the character of an election petition, but seeing that the Election Committee did not make any severe re marks upon it, the pursuance of such as extreme course as that adopted yesterday was hardly warranted. The Speaker said he felt sure no mem ber of the House would suppose the hon member intended any disrespect to the House, but at the same time the course pursued by the House was obviously a very necessary one, and rested on the ground that no stigma should attach to an hon member, unless an opportunity had been g'?en him to refute any such charge within proper time. It must be clear that unless such an opportunity were given the matter would have remained as a stigma upon the hon member for Rodney. Truly an extraordinary and striking mode of vindicating a man's honor. A man breaks into my house and abstracts therefrom all and everything of value he can out of it. For three whole months he eludes pursuit. On the fourth he is de tected in the very act too, of endeavouring to obtain a situation of responsibility and trust, and brought before a magistrate; but to the marvel and utter astonishment of the whole sane world his Worship de-" clares, that inasmuch as the man was not discovered and convicted during the al lotted three months, no stigma attaches to his character. Verily, our legislators enact laws for the encouragement of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do not well.

I am, &c, A Rodney Electoe.

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

The splendid comedy, "London Assu rance," . was performed last night. The comedy was brilliantly played through out, and at the final fall of the curtain, the company received a spontaneous call from all parts of the house. A highly amusing farce concluded the performance. This evening Boucicault's sensational drama, "Elfie, or the Cherry Tree Inn, will be performed. We understand that no pains or expense has been spared to make this drama a success.

THEATRE ROYAL.

The attendance at this theatre was good last night. " Miriam's Crime " preceded the burlesque extravaganza "Ixion. Both were played most efl'ectively,-tlie latter loudly applauded throughout, lo night Washington Irving's "Rip ytf Winkle, or the Sleep of 20 Years, wiu be performed, for this night only, and " Ixion " will be repeated for the last time. ■

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY,, DECEMBER 16. 1871

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below; — CALLS Bank of New Zealand Commercial ... >>< Pride of Tokatea American Eagle Triton Bank of Tokatea Thames View Golden Phoenix St. Lawrence Sir Walter Scott John O'Greats Dauntless and Sink to Rise , Waitemata Tookey Golden Calf North Pacific Flagship G. Anchor ... Italian Sunbeam Hand and Band Coromandel Excelaior Claremont ... ... City of Dunedin City of London Otago ... Vulcan Poverty Tribute Crown Royal ... Ravenstock Ballarat and Rising Sua

£ 81 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 10 0 0 0 1 0 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 2 0 1 0 5 0 2 0 0 0 .0 0 0

d-. 6 6 6 0 2 6 6 3 6 0 0 6 0 0 0 3 6 6 0 6 6 3 0 0 0 0 4 6 2 6

Date Dec 14 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 15 Dec 15 Deo 15 Dec 16 Dec 18 Dec 18 Dec 18 Dec 21 Dec 21 Dec 21 Dec 22 Dec 22 Dec 22 Dec 22 Dec 24 Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 30 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 4 Jan 5



T. ELLISON, BOOT-MAKER, 78 Queen-street. £S now selling Boots during the Christmas Holidays at less than Cost. Men's Elastic Sides, reduced 25 per cent Men's Wellingtons, reduced 25 per cent Ladies' Kid Boots, reduced 25 per cent: Patent St Crispin Shoes, reduced 25 per cent Girls' Coloured Cashmere Boots, for parties at less than cost All other Goods sold low in proportion T. ELLISON, 78, QUEEN-STREET. J CATER (late Crombie's), ROYAL • PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY, Queen street, Auckland, has much pleasure in in forming his friends and the public generally that he has purchased the Photographic Business so long carried on by Mr Crombie ; and having secured the services of Mr Crombie's late Manager, he feels warranted in stating that they will receive every civilly and attention, as well as first-class and artistic portraits at his hands, and that no pains will be spared to give entire satisfaction. J. C. also wishes to inform the Ladies that arrangements are being mn.de for taking instantaneous Portraits of Children. NOTICE. RJ YATES begs to inform the residents '• of Parnell and the public generally, that after the Ist day of January. 1872, the business, now being carrricd on by Mr Thomas Waters will be taken by him, when he trusts that by strict attention to business, keeping goods of the very best quality, and selling at a reasonable profit, to merit the same support as his predecessor. IN retiring from the business which he has carried on successfully for so many years, tho undersigned begs to return his sincere thanks to all those who have honored him with their patronage, and hopes that the same liberal support will be given to his successor (Mr B J Yatks), whose long experience in the Grocery trade will enable him to give the fullest satisfaction to all who may become customers of his. THOMAS WATER 3. HANDSOMELY BOUND BOOKS EOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, AT E. W A V T El' S AUCKLAND LIBRARY, 100, Queen street. A liberal discount to the trade and school?.



OHIN.SMURL ANOTHER NATIVE MEETING ANENT THE TELEGRAPH. Mr J. W. Pearse, who ««™* *°J Ohinemuri last night in the ?team M Fairy, has furnished us with the following items of news :— ,"',," A native meeting was held yesterday at Te Moanaui's place, a messenger -am the E!ing having arrived with referenc to the telegraph. The messenger * named Penahaha, and the word which W brought was requesting that the ereoi of the telegraph should be stopped, and not allowed to PWjftJfljM this was the King's order.' *?"*■ g usual amount of speechijjf&^ W » meeting had not terminated, ■Ws£ffi decision arrived at, up to th] ggg j FairvleftOhinemurh-^ThamesAdvertiser



nT3 COMPANY RIFLE BRIGADE. A SPECIAL MEETING of the rio* fljj* pany will be held in the ?&**% Princes street, on Tuesday evening n«W o'clook. Important business. All members are "W^jg^S Hod Secretary. Auckland, December 16, — WANTED-A EirsUclass ftEgrfg Apply immediately tit the City V! , Hotel, Shortland street,