SHIPPING.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

PROJECTED DEPAKTUHES Lyttblton.—Alice, Sept. 2. Sydnky.—llery, early, London.—Excelsior and Beth Shan, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

James Patcrson, s.s., from Sydney. Go-Ahead, s.s., from Tavanaki. Hero, s.s., from Sydney^ Taranaki, s.s., from Southern ports. Star of the South, s.s., from Napier. Nevada, p.s., from Southern ports. Countess of ICintore, ship, from London. Eleanor, barque, from Newcastle. Alice Cameron, barque, from Sydney. Moa, brig, from Sydney. Our Hope, brig, from Melbourne. Sea Gull, schooner, from Fijis.

SUNSET.—This evening, 5.36. HIGH WATER.—-This evening, 8.41

STEAMERS FOR THE THAMES THIS EVENING.

Eoyal Alfred, 5 o'clock.

The ship Joshua Bates, having been passed by the Health Officer, came up harbour this morning, and anchored off the wharf. Her living freight will be conveyed down to Dunedin by some vessel shortly. The brigs Australia, Coronet, and Colonist, have arrived at Kaipara.

COMMERCIAL.

CALLS AND DIVIDENDS

The following arc the current calls and divi dends payable in the companies named be low:—

THE MAILS.

Mails will close as under :— For Thames, this day, at 4.30 p.m., and on Monday, 4thinstant, at 2.30 and 4.30 p.m. For Mongonui, per Ivanhoe, on Monday, the 4th Sep tember, at 10 a.m. For Kapanga, per Lalla Itookh, on Monday, 4th instant, at 11.30 a.m. For Kawau, Wangarei Heads, etc., per Duke of Edin burgh, on Monday, 4th Sept., at 4 p.m. Mails for the undermentioned places, per p.s. Ne vada, will close at this office on Thursday, the 7th Sept., as follows :— For Sandwich islands, British Columbia, United Status 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 order?, 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 at this office till 11 a.m., and by the mail agent on board the steamer up to time of sailing

S. B. Bis.s, Chief Postmaster.

ROTA.

The following gentlemen have been summoned to attend to Poliue Court business during the ensuing week: —

Monday—Messrs. George S. Graham and S. Kempthorne. Tuesday—Messrs. T. B. Kenderdine and J. May. Wednesday—Messrs. G. M. Mitford and H. D. Morpeth. Thursday—Messrs. L. D. Nathan aud J. New man. Friday—Messrs. G. B. Owen and H. F. Porter.

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, &c,

This Evening-. Murray's Great World Circus, 8. Prince of Wales Theatre, 8. Star Minstrel aud Polygraphic Company, 8.

The Evening Star.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1871.

" For the'cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needa resistance, For the future in the distance,.. And the good that we can do."

A ludicrous incident occurred to-day in Lower Queen-street, opposite our office. As the horse ■which subsequently created a panic in the sharemarket was passing Cromwell's, the confectioner's, clearing the footpath in his progress, a man actually jumped through the window among wedding cakes and bonbons, leaving a ruin of shattered glass and small confectionery in his passage A legal diffi culty has boen raised—who pays for the glass ? The confectioner aues the man that entered his establishment so informally, and without permission given. The man charges the horse with having produced the fright ■which impelled him to this means of safety ; and the owner of the horse charges some per son ■with, having frightened the horse, and so caused all the damage. The case will surpass the celebrated Bullum versus Boatura, Boa:urn versus Bullum.

The Right Eov. Bishop Cowie holds a con firmation in St. Paul's Church t.o-morrow evening, on which occasion there will bo full choral service.

We would draw Ihe atiention of tho Mutual Mining Investment Company to the fact that a meeting of shareholders will be held on Monday evening, at the rooms of (ho Young Men's Ohvistrian Association in Welles ley-street, the hour of meeting being eight o'clock. The purpose of the meeting, so far as wo understand it, is to afford informa tion to the shareholders, regarding the pro gress of the company investments, &c.

We have before us, in a bottle, the mortal remains of an animal, that, in its animated state, would have been a disagreeable customer onsconced in one's blankets. It is a centipede of monstrous proportions, and if his venom was proportioned to his bulk, a pinch from his forceps would hare been productive of un pleasant consequences. The fellow was found at Mount Eden. It is greatly to be regretted that when the Maori St. Patrick was clearing the country ho neglected this sole remaining

vavinm

On Thursday evening the Newton East Band of Hope bold its usual fortnightly meeting in St. David's school. The evening being in every respect favourable, a ltu'go number of children assembled; also, we observed several parents and elder brothers and sisters amongst them. Mr. Jackson pre siried, and, towards the close, gavo a short address on "Bauds of Hope and their duties. His remarks, being judiciously chosen, and delivered in his usual attractive style, will no doubt be remembered. The rest of the pro gramme—consisting of readings, recitations, sonns, &c, by children and adults—contri buted much to the evening's entertainment.

At a special meeting of gas consumers, held yesterday afternoon, at the Mechanics Insti tute, Mr. J. M. Dargavillo in the chair, it was resolved, that in consequence of the reduction in the price of gas to 12s. 6:1. per thousand, no further action should bo taken at present towards the formation of the proposed new company.

PANIC IN THE SCRIP MARKET.

One of the wildest panics that iui3 yet. seized the brokers and jobbers since gold was first found in the province occurred ! to-day at Scrip Corner about one o'clock. It was caused by a horse coming tearing down the footpath of Queen-street, with bridle and saddle - flaps and stirrups flying. The " Corner" was unusually crowded, and scrip flei precipitately, and the rapidity with which coat tails were spread out horizontal on the air was a sight to be remembered. A passage was cleared for the flying charger in an incredibly short space of time, and the adjustment of hats and congratulations on escape excluded for a time all thoughts as to the rise and fall of shares. We believe there is something coming on the scrip-jobbers for their sins. But yesterday a huge fragment of plate glass, the s;zo of a door, descended from the roof of the Exchange, and was shattered into a thousand fragments in the centre of the Hall, in the midst of the throng of the worshippers of the golden idol. And now a similar warning has been given to the " Corner." Taking; the mysterious burning of the Exchange Buildings (which is unquestionably at tributable to spirits or spirit dealers) in conjunction with these two warnings, we bplieve there is mischief brewing. Scrip jobbers beware !

SHARE MARKET.

SIB. SAHOEL VICKEBs' EEPOET

I have sold Caledonian at £130 ; Thames, £24 10s ; Otago, 85s ; Tookry, £32 ; New Zealand Insurance Co., ;£:S9 to £40. ' - MR. MARTIN SHOLL'S REPORT. Mr. Martin Sholl reports tho following as the latest sales made to-day :—Caledo nian, £130 to £135 ; Thames, £25 ; Shot over, 7s 6d ; Central Italy, 503 ; Long Drive, £11; Otago, 82s 6d~ to 80s. De mand for most of the quoted stocks at somewhat improved rates. Market much firmer at close. MB. J. T. GARLICK's EEPOKT. Mr. J. T. Garlick reports a sudden de cline in Caledonian and Thames shares, I have sold Caledonian, £130 ; Thames, £24 10s; Otago, 82s 6d ; Long Drive, £11; Tookey, £31.. £31 10s, in demand. Ma. j. m. Lennox's eeport. The share market was rather active to day. There was a good demand for Caledonian, Thames, and Tookey stocks. Mv sales comprise : Caledonian, £135 to" £130 ; Thames, £25 to £24 10s; Tookey, £32 ; Nonpareil, £5 15s. Cale donian and Thames are still in demand. Caledonian. £130; Thames, £24; Tockey, £32.

DIVIDENDS DECLARED.

The directors of the Nonpareil Gold Mining Company met this morning and declared a dividend of eight shillings per share. This leaves a balance of £850 to the credit of the compnny. The Caledonian have declared a divi dend of £3 per share, payable on Friday next.

The Providence have declared a divi dend of sixpence per share, payable on Thursday next. Tookey'a tributers will pay another dividend early next week.

KAIPARA.

SEAMAN DROWNED FROM THE

• HERALD.'

HEAVY GALES,

We are indebted to a gentleman in town for the following extract from a letter received from Kaipara this morning : —

" Pahia, August 22.

" The schooner Colonist arrived in the river yesterday, and up here this morning. It is blowing a strong gale from N.E. with very thick weather, cvory appearance of a gale from the N.W. The Colonist passed the brig Australia off Capo Maria on Saturday. Tho Colonist was also in company with the Herald to the North Cape. On Thursday last the latter vessel hoisted her ensign half-mast, the Colonist hove-too for her, and tho captain of the Herald wished Captain Lewis to report that ho had lost a man named Henry Malleton overboard on the previous day. The poor fellow was a native of London, and arrived in Auckland by the first trip of the barque Briton, from Newcastle. The Colonist passed tho Aurora on Sunday off Holrianga. The Australia and Coronet have since arrived."

POLICE COURT.—Saturday.

[IJcforo Thomas Bcckham, Esq., B.M.]

Drunkenness.—Ono person was punished in the usual manner for 11 first offence.

Breach of tjjk Vaghunt Act.—Mary MeManuß and Rebecca Culbert pleaded guilty of being common prostitutes, and behaving in a riotous and indecent manner in a public placo, to wit Queen-street, and were sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labour.

THE MAN ABOUT TOWN.

No. SXVIII.

As might Lave been expected, the pro posed Consumers' Gas Company ha« died a premature death, or, rather, I should say, it was delivered still-born ; and though its body was ushered into_ the world with some pomp, and a consider able flourish of trumpets, the breath of life was uever breathed into it. It has, consequently, been buried as quickly as possible, greatly to the regret ot' many of its would-be friends, but to the intense delight of its parent and her surroundings. In plain words the new Gas Company has " bust up," without even making a start. At the meeting of yesterday those who had previously been most loud in their protestations of alle giance and promises of untold gold Were amoDg the first to back out of it now that the parent company has lowered the price of gas. And although they agreed that a feeling of opposition was a very good thing, they at the same time agreed that they were not going to risk their money in a hazardous speculation, and so they very wisely buttoned up their pockets. And I will venture to say that all the would be shareholders left thoroughly satisfied with what had been done, with the exception of the old man who was present at the last meeting, and who then left in joy at the anticipation of a general smash. He was again pre sent at the meeting of yesterday, and on the motion for the adjournment sine die, he burst into tears, and drawing a belcher handkerchief from his pocket, tot tered out of the building muttering, " Alas, then must I die unhappy."

It will be remembered, no doubt, that Dick was duly despatched to Eiverhcad on Thursday morning last for the pur pose of furnishing a report of the pro ceedings to this journal. Eat it seems that, unknown either to him or myself, the proprietors engaged a special com missioner for the occasion (possibly doubtful of Dick's ability) who for warded by pigeon, a report of the pro ceedings, which duly appeared in the same clay's issue. This report I need not here refer to, for it has been read throughout the length aud breadth of the land—indeed whereever the English language is spoken. On Dick's return in the evening, which he did, I am pleased to say -n a state of high glee and great sobriety, I showed him the article in question. He read it from beginning to end without stopping. He appeared amazed, " thunder - struck." "Well," said he at length, "this is mean, it's shabby, and I don't like it. And here have I, full of the im portance of my responsible position, been drinking nothing but ginger beer all day long, and taking notes by the column. Its base ingratitude, that's what I call it." "But Dick," I remonstrated, "it can't be helped now ; make the best you can of it." " What!" cried he, "Do you mean to say you expect me to furnish a report after the one that lias appeared ? Not if I know it. No! perish the thought." And as he said this lie dashed his note book into the fire, where it was speedily consumed. I argued with him for some time,, but in vain. Ho said, "Was it likely he was going into the subject when all the ' gilt had been taken off his gingerbread ?' What chance would lie hare second hand ?" and so' on. I certainly would not have pressed iho matter but for the promises 1 had made my readers; but I did press it, and although the boy obstinately refused to write a single line, he during the evening gave me mucli valuable information. •Some of the facts, as he reported them to me, I shall give very briefly, in his own language. " Its all rot," began he, " to say we were jolly going down the river. I never see such a wretched party in my life. And the band of music, too, why it was an old tin whistle played in all sorls of keys at the same time." Was Stainc3 aboard ? "No he wasn't, but he sent the contents of his back yard, which wei*e scattered all over the deck of the Lady Bowen." " Was there any excitement going down ?" " I didn't see any, except that the wind blow old Fillips's (in this disrespectful way did my boy speak of His Most Gracious Wor ship the Mayor) hat oil' his head, and when he made a grab to save it, he knocked off, old Broham's hat, which went floating past in a most respectful manner, bobbing out and down as if to say good bye. And then Broham got red in the face, and said he'd punch his head if he wasn't the Mayor. But the Mayor asked him what he'd poison himself with, and they shook hands in quite a friendly manner, and went and liquored up. And the policemen—for there were three on 'em besides the Boss—said they thought it was mean and shabby, so they went on their own hook and had a drink too. There was a black dog on board lying down very quiet-like, except when the peelers went near him, and then he rose up and showed his teeth, which made 'em get back a bit. And Broham says, " See if he's got a collar on, and if he ain't pound him. It's perfectly dis graceful that the Government should be cheated in this way out of the revenue, especially when the police are so short of cash." " Where's your collar, dog," says Broham ? So .the dog showed his collar, which had been covered by his curly coat, and catches hold of Broham some where about the calf, auA I hear he's going to indict him for skienshia — whatever that means. " He's a vicious hamenal," says Corporal Hegan, taking a fresh chew of tobacco. " He's a most hawful down on the peiiico. I'll take the first hopportunity, sir, of putting him hover the side." "Do so," says Broham ; "he don't look as if he could swim. Any how, keep yer eye on him, and as soon as you see him without a collar put him in the kennel quietly, and give him his quietus —you understand. The dog's a nuisance." How did we land? Well, I never see such a miserable makeshift in my life ; and as for the dinner, why it wasn't no better than it ought to be. But I'm not going to tell you all about it—you only want to shove it in your " Man About Town." The Maoris rl —did they get a feed you want lo know. Kalhcr! As many spuds as they could eat outside, and with out salt. Not a blessed one on 'em was allowed to come in. But they had the broken victuals divided among 'cm after wards. There- was some swindling gents knocking about, and through looking after them poor Ternahan lost his dinner. But the others didn't—no fear. I saw Cor

poral Hegan taking off his belt and loosening all the buttons of his waistcoat. But he went round first, though, to Deacon, and asked him if he had a license. Oh ! he's a very conscientious bobby, this chap is, I can tell you. You want to know about the speeches ! The biggest rot I ever heard. If I had been allowed to write the report, I might have dressed 'em up, and made 'em respect able ; but never mmd —a day will come. Well, most of the speechifying was done by the Maoris before the dinner, and by the white people afterwards. The chairman saidhe had expected the Governor to have been present, as hehadnot much to do, and might very well have come by the patent pneumpotic tube. Promising John ? Oh yes, he spun a twister, you can tako your davy. He commenced by saying something about somebody's coffin, and that the parliament he'd now got was the best we'd ever.had ; at least it would be when he got back to Wellington. He said the Deputy Super was a first-rate chap, and the manner in which he had used the knife and fork that day should entitle him to the esteem of all present. In replying, the Deputy Super modestly admitted mat he was a first-rate chap, but said he couldn't help it, as it was nature as had formed him. Of course the Mayor said something. He praised the dinner and the ginger beer, said how happy he was that that low fellow Htaines hadn't been invited, and again promised that when he left the Borough Council he'd give a most gorgeous spread. Here he looked at me, dad, and winked with the left-hand corner 'of the right eyebrow, but I'm sure I don't know what he meant. Johnny Sheehan then made a rattling speech, and aired his eloquence at the rate of knots. Mr. Edgar, the contractor, magnani mously proposed his "Brothers in dis tress," and a chap named Kirby got up and made a long rigmarole of a speech, giving his personal experiences as a large railway contractor for the last ninety years, during which time he said he had never seen railways so successfully and cheaply constructed as in this country, and he pointed at the Auckland and Drury Railway as an example. Uow far wine and eloquence would have carried him I don't know, if tho whistle of the steamer hadn't cut him short. On counting heads on board the steamer, it was found that there were two persons short, so the police were sent back to the shed, where they found a distinguished and noisy member of the Provincial Council, and an equally distiuguisheil. but less noisy, member of the Borough Council, busily occupied in draining the glasses. They hurried them on board, and we then returned to Auckland, And that's all —there was no fun of any kind; in fact, the whole thing wa devilish dull." And so ended Dick's story, which, it strikes me, would have assumed a very different aspect had he not been forestalled by the pigeons. After tea he went out in a very bad humour — to the circus, I think—and came home about eleven, equally ill-tempered. As he went into his bed-room, I heard him say that Gherkins was a humbug, and his Tommy Dodd's a swindle. Poor Dick ! He was evidently a disappointed lad.

Before concluding this paper I cannot do better than ask my numerous friends and readers if they havo seens " The Khymes without Eeason, by a Brace of Lunatics." If not, let them at once thrust their hands into their pocket, rush to the nearest bookseller, and pur chase this humerous pamphlet (that is to say if there is one left, and from the rush for them this morning, this is 1 think extremely problematical) take il home to the fireside and devote the even ing to a serious study of its pages. The etchings are full of points and drawn with the most sublime sense of the ludicrous, while the reading matter is racy and equally pungent. I again recommend this little brochure to the consideration ol my readers

Nathaniel Bjseswing.

THE SCOTTISH VOLUNTEERS.

We observe that a meeting of this new corps, and of those intending to enrol themselves in it, will be held at Fort Britomart on Tuesday evening, at hlif past seven. We are glad to hear that the movement has for so far been success ful beyond anticipation; still we think there are many in Auckland who should belong to the new corps who have not yet been enrolled. Scotchmen generally succeed in what they take in hand, and Highlanders are indomitable; and we are confident that an institution so full of historic associations as that of kilts will not be permitted to make a discreditable presentment in the land of the stranger. We should think that the memories of old Scotland, with her heath-clad hills and grand old mountain fastnesses, vrould stir the blood in every Scotchman's veins at the sound of the pipes and the sight of the tartan ; and that " there breathes not a man with soul so dead" who could see the emblems of old historic prowess and thrilling scenes, passing through the streets of this city at the ends of earth, whose heart within him would not burn with generous impulse. We do trust that our Scottish friends will not prove renegade to national feel ing, aud that we shall see such a corps of stalwart Highlanders, with kilt and pipes, as will convince the alien of the fervour of patriotism that burns in the Scottish bosom, :and blazes forth afresh at every incident that connects him again with his native land, " though seas between them braid hao rolled sin Auld Lang Syne."

COMIC LITERATURE.

" Uhymes without reason — hysterical, farcical, satirical." Such is the title of the quaint offspring of the press and a diseased imagination which has this day seen the light. The frontispiece is ex cruciating, and is well described in the rhyme—

These jovial old mon of the Whau, They've collared a jolly Hauhau ; lie says what ho thinks, And lie shouts and he drinks, With Lhcso cheerful old men of the Whau,

The illustrations aro exceedingly ludi crous, and the rhymes, which profess to be emancipated from reason, are full of local allusions and humorous touches, producing a somewhat incoherent medley of fun and nonsense, and sense in the garb of nonsense. There is a grotesque ness in treatment wholly in accordance with the professed lunacy of the authors.

THERE WAS A SOUND OF REVELRY AT NIGHT.

BY AN INTELLIGENT VAGHANT.

Thehe was a sound of revelry by night —last night —but it was not in Belgium's capital; it was in the Pacific Hotel, Gra hamsfcown. Feai'iug lest the public might not bo informed about it, I have resolved to narrate the circumstances connected with the revelry, and, to do so, return to the old style I practised with so much suc cess when doing the " Jinkins" depart ment of an English paper.

Thus then— Great Banquet given by the Peoyin-

CIAL EXECUTIONEItS

As the elite of this district are aware, one of the Provincial Executioners, who is supposed to be rather more of a msdel of deportment than even tlie late lamented Mr. Turveydrop—wo allude to the distinguished Bubble U. Burst, Esq., who paid a visit to our auriferous settle ment last week, when, it is needless to say, that he delighted all who came in contact with him, by the unassuming ur banity of his demeanour, and the liberality with which lie promised everybody every thing—to I he poor miner a claim equal to the Caledonian, and to the members of the Press an elegant copy, bound in half calf, of Bacon's Essay on Truth. Under these circumstances it is needless to say that when our model executioner quitted our somewhat muddy shores, he bore with him the wishes of oil—indeed a sturdy digger, in the plenitude of his gratitude, was heard to exclaim in homely language that he " wished the infernal steamer would burst her boiler, and blow tho whole (unsauctified) lot of 'em to -the wild waves said they did not hear the rest," But the sorrow which shaded our young dajrs at the loss of one so dear to us (I make no paltry allusion to his £200a-yearas G-oldiields Secretary), was somewhat alleviated by the intelli gence that he and his brother executioners were to have returned yesterday, in order to partake of a gorgeous banquet, to which our worthy and esteemed represen tatives of the goldfields were invited. It was therefore without surprise, though I may say with unmixed joy, I learned that Dr. Seth Sam, in anticipation of tho coming fostivity, had undergone three major and a dozen minor penances, extra, and had his iron girdle reduced six inches by an ingenious and pious blacksmith, whilst his hair shirt had enough taken out of it to stuff a mattress. Mr. Mackay, too, lor many days previously restricted himself carefully to one kumera a day; and Mr. Mitchell left tho luxuries of the renaissance villa which he has erected at the Cote de Te Hira, and, having (regard less of expense), chartered a half a boat, came down in a position perfectly fitted for gastronomy to partake of tho splendid hospitalities of Bubble U. Burst, Esq., and his no less illustrious colleagues, Messrs. Peahen and Husk. In deference to the wishes of the immortal Burst, who hates display, there was no welcoming throng on the wharf last evening as tho Golden Crown glided majestically alongside. The great man himself was received by Mr. .Mitchell, thrco boatmen, and a policeman (who had gone to the end of the wharf to be out of Mr. Bullen's way, and was con templating suicide), whilst Messrs. isain and Mackay wore flattening their noses against the kitchen window of the Pacific, in a vain endeavor to discover exactly of what the forthcoming banquet would con sist, or as Dr. Sam, in the words of the great Brahma, observed " to fling the guyver." Messrs. Mitchell and Burst n-ere the first to come down the wharf followed at a respectful distance by Messrs. Peahen and Husk, whose usually expressive features were rendered even more striking from the azuro hue imparted to their noses by tho fresh sea breeze of the gulf. Arrived at the Pacific Hotel they were speedily joined by Messrs. Sam and Mackay, and were re ceived by Host Curtis, who usked them with bland courtesy, through the half-door of the bar, " Wot was their borders." Mr. Burst here disappeared for a time, during which the gay revellers put their hands into their breechcß pocket, and en joyed the balmy draughts of air which blew with full vehemence through the passage. On his return Mr. Burst, taking an elbow each of Messrs. Peahen and Husk said, in that bland tone which none can better adopt than himself, " Weally, it's xewj extwadinawy, but there's no din naw." His companions imagining that this was one of the delicate sallies of wit for which he is famous, kept up the joke by asking " how that was ?" To which Mr. Burst replied, " Well weally, the fact is I fawgot to awdaw any." This was alas too true. In the dilemma Doctor Sam was observed to take in another link in his girdle, whilst Mr. Mackay was heard to murmur something about " kahore te kai! that be dammed for a yarn!" It was a fact nevertheless, and Mr. Curtis seemed to be naturally indig nant at the chance he had missed of serving up a recherche dinner at 7s 6d a head, wines excluded, to six teetotallers, consequently, when he was asked if he could not give them a little cold fowl or something "tasty," in a room upstairs, he replied with acerbity, that he'd be blowed if he could. After a time, how ever, this little difficulty was got over; and in an hour, spent, as Mr? Burst said, in getting up an appetite, the party sat down to a banquet, with the bill of fare, of which I at once furnish my readers :—,

Soup. Potage de shinboneofbeof Fish. Poisson au sprat a la sardinotin Eon. Jambc de coldroastmutton. Kntebes.

Pommes de terre au naturel, frommage Wines.

Bier a Lempriere,

vin d'oporto au log-

wood. Cigars, Manilles

. After the revellers had done ample justice to the good things of this life, Mr. Burst proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, which were duly honored. He then gave, " Our noblo selves," which was drunk with great enthusiasm.

Song—"And doth not 4 a meeting like this make amends."

Dr. Sam then said that they were all gentlemen. (("Tear bear, and cheers.) He did not believe in cads. (Sensation.) He knew they were good fellows because they were gentlemen ;he knew they were gentlemen, because they ate soup only once, and did not sup vinegar from the tips of their knives. Under these cir

cumstances, he felt certain the noble digger appreciated them. He knew that some people thought him to be a decent fellow, with a shingle off; in the words of the Latin poet; he would reply, "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriarn." Soug—" Kuhc Dirnitfcis." Dr. Sam. Mr. Mitchell, on rising lo speak, was received with cheers. He remarked that it was all confounded rot, and they were all a parcel of humbugs. Mr. Peahen was delighted with the manly candour of his esteemed and res pected ex-colleague. Mr. Husk thought the evening was dull, he would suggest something to " liven 'em up," say a game of chess. Dr. Sam would give any man a point and the deal, and play him nine up at euker for a fiver—Dr. Sam suddenly stopped, was heard to mutter " Peccavi! Oonfiteor! Mea Culpa Domine!" and then said he was only joking. Mr. Mackay asked what the Superin tendent would think of all this tomfoolery when he came back.

Mr. Burst " O Gillish goor man but rough, and uncultivated, no mannaw." Mr. Husk, feebly, " Who caresh Gil lish ! When catsh away." Dr. Sara " Domine Dirirge nos." At this stage Messrs. Lundon and O7»ieara, who had been specially engaged for the occasion, entered the room, and sang " God save the Queen," with which the festivities terminated. — Thames Even ing Star.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

THIS DAY.

[PKOM OUB OWN COBBESPONDEKT.]

THE CALEDONIAN.—SB 2 OZS,

LODG-ED.

MOANATAIEI—B4B OZ3

LODQED.

NONPAREIL—DIVIDEND DE-

CLARED.

Geaiiamstccwn, 3 p.m. Tke Caledonian have lodged 582 ounces from the Tararu battery.

The Nonpareil have finished crush ing, and declared a dividend of eight shillings per share ;—£Boo being carried forward to the credit of the company.

The .Junction have only been crush ing for the fortnight ; the result is 133 ounces.

The Moanatairi have lodged 848 ounces for the fortnight; 400 tons were crushed.

The Candlelight No. 1 are having 50 tons crushed.

Austin's and Wood's tributers clean up to-night.

The Golden Crown tributers have lodged 78| aunces.

THE LATE FIRE IN THE INSU RANCE COMPANY'S BUILDINGS.

An inquest was held this afternoon, at the Metropolitan Hotel, for the purpose of ascer taining the causes of tho recent fire in the New Zealand Company's Buildings in Queen street. The following gentlemen were selected as a jury, viz., Messrs. Walter Graham, Henry Lewis, Samuel Vaile, S. W. Hill, A. Stewart, John Buchanan, James McClark, D. B. Cruiekshank, J. 0. Firth, Wm. Kiittray, Thomas Williams, John McK. Shera, and W. T. Vauee. Wm. Rattray was chosen foreman; and Mr. Heskcth attended on behalf of the Insurance Companies.—Cyrus Haley was first called, and deposed: On the 26th of this mouth, I was proprietor ©f tho reading • room in the Insurance Com pany's Buildings. Tho block of which I had possession consisted of the ground floor and two upper stories. The ground floor was used as a news-room, and the first floor was to have been a public restaurant. The upper floor was intended to be for public meeliugs, and the southern end was for a kitchen. I took the ground floor for three years, at 50s. 605., and 705., for the respective years. I afterwards took the upper floors as being likely to be a better speculation. I had no written lease. When I took the upper stories I had furnished the lower as offices and news room. On the 26th, most of the furniture was in, and I had every requisite on the premises in order to enable me to open on the 29th. Thore was no carpeting on the floor of the upper-room. On the middle storey there was coir matting on parts likely to be used. There were no spirits in the place, and I did not intend to sell spirits on ths premises.- On the ground floor there was also coir matting, and oilcloth round the' counter. On the tipper story there was only the kitchen fire, on the middle floor there was none, and on the ground floor there were two fire-places. Gas only was consumed on the premises. When I took the two upper stories, they were connected with Mills' Lane, and not with the ground floor. I had to erect stairs. The total rent for the current year was £5 a week. I let the two offices at £1, two at 225. 6d.—altogether, £4 ss. a week, besides my own office. (Witness here descri1 ed the furniture.) I had about six hundred subscribers to the news-room. I looked upon the news-room as a separate speculation, and did not connect it with other parts of the buildings. I had twelve servants engaged on tho 26th. I think the whole fitting-out cost me from £1100 to £1200. I was insured to the extent of £1000 on the whole building—in the Royal. The policy was dated the 22nd. The policy was suppoaed to cover the whole expenses of the building. On the night of the 26th I left about 10 o'clock ; Mr. Kiordan, and others, left shortly before I did. The last man turned off the lights up stairs, and left just before I did. There were many visitors to the rooms on Saturday. My stores were in. Mr. Riordan locked the place up in my presence. The fire in the kitchen had not been used on that day. Tho two fire-places in the reading-room down stairs had been used. I turned the gas off myself. I did not observe if there were any chairs near the foot of the stairs. When I left I went to my residence in Parnell. Mr. Riordan did not go with me, but went down Queen-street. He had the key of the half-door/and one of the keys of the door opening into Mills' Lane. The pther key was in the possession of Mr."

Dickson. I -was not again near the n«- •"" on that night, and 1 "do not thbk£u« of my servants had any business again 2$ premises after I left. I have not tL , idea of the cause of the fire. If anythin ?" been smouldering I should have noti£i- Smoking was allowed in the reading.™" 1 There was neither paint, oil-cans, or sW lying about. The sawdust for the Bnitt 8' was kept underneath the stairs. Each f place had a fender in front of it. I think th*" bottom of the stairs is the most prob\w«r.i of the origination of the fire. Thl^na *■' at tke foot of the stairs opens partiallW at tV top. lam not certain whether it was'\t»«i on the night of the 26th. The prineiSat bit of fche fire was at the foot of the stairs. Th was no kerosene on the premises. The i^ under the stairs was used as a receutael« J" lumber of all kinds. There was a fin* place half way up the stairs, but thw" was no carpetting of any kind on it I do not know where the ashes f ro m the fire were emptied, or the rubbish from the spitoons thrown to.—Matthew Kiordan manager of the restaurant intended to b opened by Mr. Haley, deposed: I had no share in the profits, but was to have been paid by salary. The restaurant was to have been opened on Tuesday last. All the orders had been given to the tradesmen. All the neces sary glassware and cutlery were in the place' I cannot form an estimate of the goods as 1 have not been long enough here. I should think that during the day there had been six hundred people present. Lately I have been the last to leave the building, and it has been my [custom to go round the rooms and see all safe. I was one of the last to leave on Saturday last. I speak of the rooms of which I had charge. There had been no fire on Saturday in the dining, room. I put the gas out. I did not notice whether any fire was left in the two lower floors. A person named McEwen had the rough work to do about the reading-room The stairs down to the reading-room had no covers on them. There was 'one gaa burner on the stairs, attached to a post supporting the landing. _ I have not seen anyone smoking up stairs. The gas meter was at the foot of the stairs, and to the right of the door on entering. I used no kerosene on the premises, and there was only a small bottle of salad oil up stairs in the kitchen. Ihe painters had gone and taken all their machinery with them. After the lights had been put out, I had occasion to light a match inside the reading-room. The match burned my fingers, and I squeezed it out. I took tie key with me, and other keys also. There were no spirits in the place. I did not return to the building on the night of the 26th. I first heard of the fire at about half-past six on Sunday morning, at Pulleng's, on the wharf. I went straight from Mr. Haley's to Pulleno's to bed, and did not leave the premises after wards. I canuot account for the origin of the fire. It appears to have commenced about the place where the cupboard was situated under the staira. Ido not know of anything else being in that cupboard but a little saw dust, a few brushes, and similar articles. There was a large quantity of crockery and cutlery in the place. I have since found some burned knives, spoons, &c., among the debris. To Mr. Haloj: The doors and windows opening into Mill's Lane were all fastened when I left.—By Mr. Heskcth: The panes of glass were all sound when I left.—James Dickson, deposed : I am reading-room-keeper and clerk to Mr. HaL-y, and have beeu so since the Ist of last month. (Witness here described his duties.) I consider the reading room to have been in a prosperous state. Ten o'clock is the hour for closing the reading room. I left about half-pa&t nine an Saturday evening. I left about a dozen people in the reading-room. Mr. Haley and Mr. Eiordan were there, as well as some servants. There was fire in both the grates of the reading room when I left. There were chairs at both ends of the room. I heard of the fire for the first time at eight o'clock on Sunday morn ing. I reside in Union-street. I had a duplicate key of the large door opening on to Mill's Lane. The fire could not have occurred from either of the grates in the reading-room.—Robert McEwen, a cook at the restaurant of Mr. Haley, deposed: I have been about a month in Mr. Haley's em ploy. Every morning I used to clean out the fire-places. In the reading-room there were two coal buuks. No wood was consumed. The ashes were thrown into the back lane. There was nothing in the cupboard likely to ignite. I live in Ooburg-street, and the first intimation I had of the fire was from the ringing of the bells. The gas burner at the stairs was a swinging one, but could not by any possibility conduce to the ignition of the stairs. I can form no idea of the origin of the fire. All the chips and shavings had been carried away. I saw nothing in regard to the bag of sawdust for replenishing the spittoons to lead me to suppose- that any fire could have originated from it.—Alfred Hayden deposed: I was residing on the premises of the Insurance Company on the 26th instant. I locked the gate on that night. The last persons" I let out were Mr. Haley and Mr. Eiordan. A person might with difficulty get over the gate after it was locked. I sleep in the room under the clock tower, facing Queen-street. From that room I cannot see the pre mises recently occupied by Mr. Haley. On the night in question I went to bed about ' ten minutes lifter 11. I perambulated the building as usual on that occasion, and found everything secure. It was moonlight, and I took no candle with me. I did not go into Mills' Lane. Policeman Wadman aroused me about three o'clock, and I came down and let him in. I saw the top windows level with the gallery cracking, and the flames from inside playing on them. Tho fire was on the ground floor, and the windows I mean are the upper portions of those giving light to the reading-room. The body of the flame appeared to be near the top windows of the reading-room. Tho door was broken while I was handing up the buckets, but I do not know by whom. The only conclusion I can arrive at as to the origin of the fire is that some one might have broken a window from Mills' Lane, and thrown a firestick down the staircase. I cannot otherwise account for the occurrence. I reside on the premises, and my wife and family with me.—Constable Wadman deposed that about ten minutes before three o'clock on the morning of Sunday last, when passing tho New Zealand Insurance Company's Buildings, he saw the reflection of fire from the back part of the premises, and called the porter. (Witness here desoribod the proceedings taken, and said he thought the fire originated at the bottom of the stairs.)—.By Jurors : The ceiling was not on fire when I first saw it. Tlitf flow was in flames. The' staircase had notjkfallen. I passed the back of the v building ab jot 20 minutes before, but saw nothing unusual. — Constable Brennan deposed that after the alarm of fire he went into Mills' Lane, and saw smoke issuing through the crevices of the north window of the Insurance Company Buildings. The window was neither raised nor broken. The flames gradually rose and came through. At that time no smoke came from other windows. Witness thought the fire must have originated down stairs, and gave his reasons for tho supposition.—Constable Wadham was recallerl, and said that if he could have gained immediate admission, he and Constable Shannon, who was with him, could have prevented the fire from gaining ground as it did.—Deteotive Jeffery deposed

3?HE EVENING STAB, AUCKLAND, SATTX&DAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1871.



CALLS. Sunbeam Vale of Avoca Ballarat & Eising Sun Bright Smile Brunswick Sons of Freedom... Middle Star Central Italy Otago Christmas Box ... Pickwick

£ a. d. 0 0 6 0 0 6 0 0 6 0 10 0 0 6 0 2 6 0 10 0 0 3 0 0 10 0 10 0 0 6

DATE. Sept. 5 Sept. 6 Sept. 8 Sept. 8 Sept. 8 Sept. 12 Sept. 14 Sept. 16 Sept. 18 Sept. 18 Sept. 28

DIVIDENDS. Caledonian Providence Nonpareil

3 0 0 0 0 6 0 8 0

Sept. 6 Sept. 6



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