SHIPPING.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET.—This evening, 5 50. HIGH WATER.—This evening, 10.38.

STEAMERS FOR THE THAMES THIS EVENING.

Golden Crown, 5 o'clock. Enterprise, 11 o'clock.

ARRIVALS.

Wellington, s.s., Kennedy, from Southern Tort?. Tein Esser, German schooner, 90 tons, from Dun edin via-Oamaru. Rifleman, schooner, from Barrier Island. ;

DEPARTURES.

Moa, brig, Robertson, for Starbuck Island.

PROJECTED DEPASTURES. London.—Excelsior and Beth Shan, early Fuis.—Lsetitia, Thursday, Kemlworth, Monday.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

H.M. s.s. Basilisk, from Nelson. Wellington', s.s., from Southern ports. Countess of- Kintore, ship, from London. City of Auckland, ship, from London. Chile; ship, from London. Ball-fat, barque, from London. Mary Frances, barque, from Newcastle. Alice Cameron,' barque, from Sydney, j Sea Gull, schooner, from Fijis . ',;■ Merlin, schooner, from Fiji. Herald, schooner, from Holdanga.' ■

IMPORTS.

Per Tein Esser, from Dunedin via Oamaru : 520 kegs powder, order; 6 casks fuse, Cruick shank and Co.; 1 case iron, 3 casks fuse, Ren al) aw ; 310 bags flour, Binney j 13 casks beef, Reid; 30 casks beef, Must and Co ; 50 bags oatmeal, 60 bags oats, 20 bags barley, Reid ; 20 tons pig iron, Fraser and Tinne j 20 hhds. beer, order.—G. W. Binney, agent.

'P.. cutter Hero from Tauranga with 6 tons gum, 8 head cattle, and sundries, Bhe will sal this evening. • .' ' , The sohooner Tawera will take her depar ture-for Ru .sell this evening.- ' :

•The brig Australia cleared Kaipara Heads for Sydney on Sunday last.!

DEPARTURE OF THE PHŒBE.

The Phoebe, tppk her departure for Southern ports' this . inojjningK... Passengers — Messrs. Barborough, J..A, ,Wilsqri, R. Lamb, Owen, Captain Lanfare,' J^efesrs. Bonnington, Dal gleish, G. Jones,' Chapman, T. B. Gilpin, Thompson, W- 'Martifi, Telfer, Thomas Jack sen. E Wright, ( __r." and Mrs. Butterworth, and five others.!',

THE SCHOONER RIFLEMAN.

We are glad to learn that the three-masted schooner Biflema'h, which recently went ashore at Blind Bay, Great Barrier, has.been success fully floated, and is'now safely at anchor in our harbour. The work was undertaken by Mes-rs. Henderson and. Spraggon, and on Thursday last they left Auckland with a number of bands'and all the'appliances neces sary for floating the vessel. . Op their arrival at Blind Bay' they found the bilge much damaged, and the hoTe had to be patched up. On Saturday the vessel was drawn a distance of over 400 feet over the sand, :and on1 i-iinday night she was floated. A quantity of ballast and about 40 tons of firewood was then placed on board,, and yesterday afternoon she set sail for Auckland, arriving in harbour at-10 p.m< The, success which has attended, the raising of this .vessel. reflects the. highest credit on the firm of .Messrs. Henderson and Spraggon, who will now ta.ke the vessel in their yards, and have her stripped and thoroughly repaired. •■},!/ ■

COMMERCIAL.

CALLS AND DIVIDENDS. The following are the current calls and divi dends payable in the companies named be low: — OAXXB.'- - £,■ 8. f d. £n f-r -DATE. North Pacific ... \o\ JoJkfi.Oifl Sept. 22 New Caledonia ... 0 10 ... Sept. 23 Morning ; Star ~., 0 2 0... Sept. 23 Corodl. Excelsior... 0 0 6 7. Sept. 2b Golden Calf ... 0 16 ... Sept. 26 City of St. Andrew 0 O 6 ... Sept. 28 Pickwick 0 0 6 ... Sept. 28 Brighton 3 0 0 ... :Oct. 3 ; Nil Desperandum . 0 2 0 ... Oct. 4 Coronet 0. 2. 0, ..... Oct. 7 DIVIDENDS. . : / '.'■.'■'*- •f. Caledonian .;. ... 4 0 0 ... "Sept. 20 Thames 010 0 ... Sept. 20

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, &c.

t. , r • Ttttb Evening. • . -;

Meeting of late A. R. V. Band, t p.m: Gourlay Family, at City Hall, 8. _ Prince of Wales Theatre; 8.: "'■>"«".*»<:«.

THE MAILS.

Mails will close as under :— For Thames, this day, at 4.50, and 5.30, and to morrow, at 11 a.m., and 5.30 p.m. For Russell, and Kawakawa, per Comerang, to morrow, at 3 p.m. For-Taranaki aadSouthernprovinces, per Wellington, on Saturday, 23rd instant, at noon. Late letters and telegrams will be received at this office tUI 0.30 p.m., and at Onehunga till 1.30 p.m. Iron Pillar Letter Receivers have been placed on the Queen-street wharf, and at the junction of Seafield and Carleton Roads, and are cleared at the hours indicated lon the pillars. _ I .J 7 ' ti S. B. Kiss, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTHS.

BucK-Ajtd.—On September the 18th, at her resi dence, Shortland-street, the wife of Mr. W. F. Buck- Ul__r____^S_i^e«da-jithe W»SI Mrs; Sps F. _taut_rM>f*daughter. ?!• 'y-. ■■;,.. :„ ■■ 9 7T ...■„ ; -

MARRIAGE.

MirCH-isorf— Wfuhm*. On ■ Tuesday, . September 12, at the residence of the father of the bride, by the Rev. Frank Gould, Sarah, the second daughter of Mr. John Wilson, Upper "Wairoa, Kaipara, to Mr. Edwin Mitchelson, Whapu, Kaipara.

The Evening Star.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1871.

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

Those Ethiopian Minstrels who delighted us a few weeks ago both by their harmonious strains and their eccentric movements, and who have had a great success at the Thames, are about to revisit us, and, we are given to understand, will appear ac the City Hall next Monday to still further delight an Auckland audience. - -

Tenders are required by the Provincial Government for the construction of a stone culvert in the Howick Road.

City n___.—The Gourlay Family, so well known favorably in this city, both as excellent musiciaus and as thoroughly experienced in the matter of those divertissements likely to amnso the -public", appeared last evening, afc City Hall, ainJ_'jtheir. programme was gone through with the greatest success, and to the most infinite delight of the audience. This evening there will be another entertainment, of a similarly good character, and we may accordingly hope that the room will again be weli;fitie_.s :' j' 1 7 ' 11| 77f f1 7 We perieiTiß, from an advertisement^: that the sale of leases of the Harbour Endowment property lias been postponed sirie'die, in con sequence of some instructions which have been received from " the South."

When the clouds were opened, and the rain descended during the early part of last Autumn, the aquarians were in all their glory ; and in order to assist nature in washing the fice of this dusty country streams'were poured from watering carts over the face of the al ready saturated earth. But, now that really dry weather has set in, and paving stones are being impelled against the faces of wander ing bipeds, and when a deposition of a little moisture would really add to the comfort of all the citizens, the carts are not forthcoming, and no one appears to know where their bones are deposited. It is time, surely, in spite of whatever regulations may have been made with respect to their appearance not further than the first of next month, to adopt some special measures to ensure comfort to people about town> and-to prevent tbe great "damage which is at present being inflicted on such wares of our shopkeepers as are perforce ex posed to the-influence of the weather.

We are surprised to hear of some mistakes that have been made with reference to tho names of the jovial spirits referred to in Dick's letter. We feel the ridiculousness of having to say that Mr. Bennett, the barrister, ondJ Mr. Thomas Morrih were : riot among them-. The former gentleman's, character would repel' such 'anf:ln'siriuatibh, while _Ir.' Thomas Morrin's,. character, and thorough business habits -make' thW !id-a—ir it-ever entered anybody's head—equally absurd. Neither was£Mt<Bennett, commbhlf I'■ known as " Ballarat Bennett," of the according. f<i~dii. inforniaiion. ' fßut' -We ; do' trust that we shall not be called on to say that Iverv one with a name sitnilai^tadiiode 6frthe ','rollicking rams" was absent on the occasion. Let the public find it out for themselves.

I ,As rhvi.l:be! slen tio'rk Snot Her Whuhnl Etta of the harbour endowment.-, whi«:h was to have taken place to-morrow, has been post poned, in jcon^eqiie^ce «f Received from' Wellington. ' "

j The usual monthly meeting, of the Chamber Of Commerce will be held' at. 3 o'clock to morrow afternoon.

Tenders are repaired by Matthew Edgar, contractor of the Kaipara Railway, for the supply of sawn timber and sleepers.

DICK'S LETTER.

It was not expected by us that tho letter which we inserted yesterday from that wild young scamp, Dick, should pass away without effect; but we scarcely an ticipated that any one of a party who desire to be regarded as the beay,x esprits of Auckland should have- descended to the use of a means of defence regarded as belonging exclusively to blackgtmrds. "Pet so it is. Last night, as Mr. J. Utting stood, in the lobby ofj thei Prince if Wales, he was set upon by Mr. Samuel Mcurin, . a,.great hulking fellow of about twice his' size, who bela boured Mr. Utting with a whip for some time, with.he intention, wepresume, of taking satisfaction for the exposure in Dick s letter.,: As Mr. .Utting; had,-, no connection with the letter, and never saw it, so far as known to us, till ,it : was, in type,' the' action was t6tally unwarranted. But when we consider the great disparity in size, and the fact that Morrin saw he could perform the operation with impunity, so far as physical de fence or retaliation was concerned, we cannot regard the conduct of the man Morrin as other than cowardly and dis reputable in tho extreme. It is, how ever, precisely as we ought to expect from one of a party who, under cover of darkness, sneak up to doors at midnight and perpetrate injury on the sleeping in habitants ; and then take to : their heels and fly as for dear«Jjfe from the sight of a constable. X,We observe in this morning's Herald that on yester day afternoon " Messrs. John lleid Bennett, Walker, jJames EflsSell/jand Taylo_"lcalied at.tHe ofllde of out contem porary and stated that they were the gentlemen referred to in," A Letter from '.Dick," published in yesterday's Stab, and requested our. contemporary " to mention that the-alleghtidns __ade' against' them in Dick's letter are untrue." These gentle men having thus fixed the cap on their own heads, it is not for us to remove it; and tin our remarks we beg to be understood 'as referring only to the persons indicated ih "Dick's letter." The allegations made tperein are strictly and literally true, and we call on the police to do the'r duty, and show that they are not awed by the names and the influence of the relatives of those who have thu s/disgraced,themselViCS and their coh_te'ctibn_ 'dv their ruffianly and cowardly conduct.\pf it was Bill Jones, or Paddy Smith that had wrenched off knockers, and tumbled down fences, and smashed windows, they would have been tip before the Magistrates on Monday morning last, and been at present in Mount Eden. As it is, either the police are afraid, or an influence has been everted that paralyses the arm of the lflW. j Tye 'call on the police in .tbe^ interests qfJ2M-U9 safetys<?i^pt;.a|lc>T*ibis rSatttr. tp.be hushed up.Sand so create distrhst in the' administration of the law. It is in tolerable that a species of reign of terror should thus be created by a set of young scamps who would try to live above the law; and if this matter is allowed to be cb-don3d,f rOT^ fwhat is/ £&&. ihe same,

settled by a pecuniary fine, then we cry shame on the law, and those who are its administrators. It is all very well for young men to be young men, and we 1 should make every allowance for the effer vescence of youthful spirits. But when it degenerates into maliciousness, and comes to throwing bars of iron through windows into sleeping-rooms iu'the dead of night, it is a wholly different matter. We trust the subject will in some form be investi gated. If we have mis-stated any cir cumstance—for it is but human to err— we shall be most happy to afford, through our columns, an opportunity for any one who may feel aggrieved to set himself right. But it is idle for those who are , annoyed to try to gag us by great swelling words about personal chastisement and actions at law, for we aro prepared for ■either eventuality.

THE ASSAULT CASE.

jWe are glad to learn tliatj'Mr. TJt'tinghas ilaid an information against Mr. Samuel for the cowardly assault of last night. Mr. Joy has been engaged for the prosecution, and the case willcome :off at the Police Court on Monday next. It remains to be seen if the Bench will be 'packed with friendly J.p.son thefocoa sion. We do not prejudge the case, but we do not hesitate to say that if the defendant is found guilty, and the offence is condoned by a fine in this case, it will be a scandal to. justjlifif: Many a man would coolly and deliberately pay: five pounds for thesprivilege of taking satisfac tion by.ij thrashing another, and in the case of those to whom money is no consideration, anything short of imprisonment defeats the ends of justice. We do not believe in_ these assault cases, as a general, ru&^bei-* brought before the B^pfch,■'_.n'<f.we think:, they are better settled on the ground. But in a case so-manifestly cowardly there is no help for /it; We should re gret to see the defeoti-ve-administfa'tton of law compelling the defenceless to resort to the carryirg of a revolver. But we do not hesitate to say that if the law .virtually, •fails to afford protection,by all thelajvs of nature a man must protect himsclfas best he cau.

ORPHAN HOME.

It has long been known that tho funds at :the credit of the Parnell Orphan Home :are by no meaps sufficient ~to meet the calls upon them, and many charitable people have at divers times contributed their aid ttfwaJrds... the! support of the destitute aud neglected, by providing entertainments, and coming before [the public in outre' characters. And iiow, ' that fascinating, and in every rpfepCct ■ ohnrming /actress, Miss j 'Cpl ;ville, and that grand actor, Mr. Hos kins, both of whoni /have so much de lighted thejrtaying public during the last two months; htivb nobly-come to tlie fore, afldintedtogivp. a speciul entertainment jri the Tlfe'atro Kpyal 'in aid of the chari table institutions. The programme is a carind one, tft may be seen. fro_a our ad. vertising columns ; and without doubt, will ensure <acrowded' house ioimoVrow evening, when the affair is to cornt^ off.

SUPREME COURT.—Criminal Sittings.

' WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER _0. [Before His Honor Sir G. A. Arnoy, Knight, Chief'Justfo., and h Special Jury-.} His Honoe took, his seat on the'bench _t 10 o'clock. Chahge ov Aksox at Raxoiutri.—Mr. King, watchmaker, formerly of Shortland street, but at present retired from business, deposed to watches and articles of jewellery as having been purchased by, the prisoner from him.—Charles Wallace, mate of the steamer Waipn, deponed to goods which Jiad been sent down tho river to Rangiriri.— Benjamin Edwards, ono Of the 'drivers of Quick's coaches between N«aruawttlua and Drury, deposed that on tho 6th of June, or thereabout, Mrs. Leonard was a passenger hy Quick's coach to Olahiihu, with hor twosons. She brought two bales with her, and what ap peared to bo bedding, blankets,- &o.—Mr. Gil bert (Gilbert and Manley), deposed to certain scrim and oils having been purchased by pri soner from him, in May. Could not say whether prisoner took the goods on salo or return. In the early part of June received a trus. of these goods back, to dispose of for the prispner.r—This concluded the evidence, for the prosecution.—Mr. Hesketh said lie would call one witness, forthe (defence, namely, tho prisoner's son—a lad of about fourteen yeurj of age. He thought this boy would tie able to prove that the object for which the prisoner's wife and her children went to Otahuhu was one in perfect good f^ith. The' theory of the prosecution was that if this were a pretence, it would be a< presumptive proof of guilty in tent -and - knowledge. — Robert Leonard, son, . to, '..the . prisoner, was examined at great length, with a view to show that his mother'going) to Otahuhu was for the purpose of putting himself and little brother to school/ i rThis; w&8 necessary, becaitse/Capt. Hutton's school was being broken up, and the master who carried it on was about to leave the place. ''Oa'pft Hutton had also left the district. I These hlfcnkcte, bedding, and bther things were, packed for himself and bis brothers when tney we're to "go to Captain Hutton's. In consequence of that school being broken,up,; thoy; were taken to Otahuhu. While at Otahuhu they wept to Mr. Green wood's school, and also to another school.—ln cross-examination, the witness B_id' that it was arranged that his mother was to remain with himself apd brother, for, .a. month, and then return to Rangariri.. He said he was always.taught not, to, tell dies, or keep company with; bad;;bpyß,:.. ; :.one\of,the bags brought down .contained .•'opeone to make ~ pillows. His brother and,himself were to sleep undor two. feather, bertq and seventeen blankets.— Mr..Hesketh .addressed the jury.in.defence of the prisoner, contending that the case, was •wholly circumstantial, and that being, so it was the special charge of the jury to put i^pon those circumstances their .propor inter pretation. The prosecution interpreted those circumstances favorable to its own view,, and the defendant-held that the'1 circumstances proved were consistent with his- innocence. There was not the' color of suspicldn attach ing to the prisoner until; it was' knbwlV-that some of-*'the :thihg- Inid been' Removed. It devolved upon the-'defence' to show'that th. removal was for a _-to*/?$JJpu?pose;'_ud'would have taken place whatever1 •migh(i'ibjiye;fol- I6wed. : He thought the'object-'of- the'wife going to OtahuhU-w_3 cle_rly-sho-v*n jby'the prisoner's soii. If the jury entertained any d?onbt of tbe: correctness of the' interpretation put upon the facts proved by the prosecution, they would give his client the benefit of it and acquit him of the oharge.' •''

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS THE THAMES.

THIS DAY.

[FEO_I OX7E OWJT COEEESPONDENT.]

THE CALEDONIAN.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT,

ALL NATIONS AND JUNCTION

CRUSHING,

Geahamstown, 3 -p ; m.

The Black Angel are crushing, and it is looking well for a good average return. "; j r/ . : ']'.:'

The Ashley tributers are' crushing. About three-quarters of an ounce to the ; ton is expected.

The All Nations are crushing with twenty bead of stampers. It is looking better than the last.

The J unction now occupy fifteen head at the Herald battery. ; ■-.

Nothing new reported from the Caledonian... ■ -~■ ...•-,

A boy named Hagan was nearly killed this morning by a cart over turning upon Kirn. (■} 7

Tookey (Wood's) tribute are crush ing; the return is expected to be good; . ") 7 rp ■,-

THE CALEDONIAN.—MINE MANAGER'S REPORT.

The following is a copy of a telegram received from the manager:—

f; : :;;, i.'i,l ." 10.14 a.m. " The main run of gold is ratherim proved than otherwise, but no more of it will he taken down, for some days to come. Other parts of the mine , unchanged."

THE SHARE MARKET.

MB. J. T. OAELICK's BEPOBT. , I have sold Caledonian at £137 to |j&_3s; Thames, £25r.'10s ; Moanatairi, ,80s. Caledonian sellers, £_3'sr ' ___.J. 31. I__HifOX'_;4EBPOET. The,sharemarket ,is unusually, quiet, leading stocks haVing a downward ten dency. My salep,.co_iprise—rCalcdonian, j£l3s ; Thames, £26*. Closing sellers- Caledonian, ,£l3s_ Thames, £26, .Closing buyers—Bank of New Zealand stocks, £18 10s ; Gas shares, £8 os. mb. a. w. Fleming's bepoet. The market was very dull to-day. Caledonian sold at^Sl3|; Thames, £2G ; Otagor BOsj Tt*ateavQ*7s^ 6d to £5 ; Nonpareil, £6. .:2L_77, £$___. j. NKW-SSf*- beVoet. The '^haTe market '-ohSmehced with a fair demand for Caledonian at yesterday's prices, closing easier. My sale* comprise —Caledonian, £135 ; TliamßS, £2G. Sel lers : Caledonian, £132 10s ;. Thames, £25 10.. Buyers, Alburnia, £5 10s.

THE HIPPODROME.

The scone that wi'.l be presep.ted .to .the eye. of citizens on Saturday next is.one, the equal of which is, we think, rarely seen in New. Zeiil.nd. On that day, in the Albert Barracks Keservc, Mr. Mur ray's company will give a repetition of performances that: in Sydney were re garded as the mos: remarkable ever seen in that city. Thtse consist of Roman chariot racing, in addition to ; horse racing, under the peculiar conditions which can b'fe^-Upplied by an acrobatic and gym nastic company aloic. Wo will not have the 30,000 people; andi the vice-regal presence, as they had in Sydney ; but we are confident that a very largo proportion of the whole population of Auckland will bo present on the occasion. On Friday, a grand cavalcade will parade the streets of the city,, which, ive have no doubt, will whet the appetite bf the people for the grand events of the following day.

PROVINCIAL GAZETTE.

A Phoyincial Gazette was published yester day, containing ii nunber of mining -notices, which will be found in>ur advertising columns. Tho election of Mesirs. Isaacs, Hobbsj: and Smart is gazetted, .bo Tauranga Highway District is abolished; the boundaries of tho Tauranga North Township Are given, and tho first meeting is appointed to be held at Capt. Eraser's store, on tile 10th inst.,'at 6.30 p.m.; E. Q-. Norris, Ksq., to 3e chairman. The boun daries of the Taurang? District aro given, and the first meeting is tppointed to be held at Cupt. Eraser's store, <n the 2nd prox., at,6.30 p.m.; H. T. Skeet, Eiq., to be chairman. The Opotiki Highway Dkriot- is gazetted, the first meeting to bo hell at the Masonic Hotel on tho 21st proximt, at noon; Mr. John Parkinson to bo chairman; Messrs. J. Hl. Wilson, W. Kerr, M. fihaugnessy, N. Stewart, and James Parr, are; appointed tho Maketu District Board for tie present year. Mr. Elon Bond, is appointed keeper of the North Stiorc Public Pound. Tenders aro invited for the lenso of tho ropi-walk in Howe-street. Sevoral Crown grunts u-c notified as ready for delivery. :; ,-,, • , •;.

POLICE COURT.—Wednesday.

[Before T. Beckhmn, Esq., R. M.]

Dbitnkknness. — Orie jiorsoiv was fined lOs and costs, and three ettoh 20s, with the usual alternative of imprisonment. One forfeited his bail. .- ■ , , ;

Drunk and Disoruubly.—Bobert Howie was fined 20_, with the usual alternative of 48 hours imprisonment. Obs_uuoting Pouce—-Michael Sullivan, charged with" this offence, wus allowed to depart after receiving a severe lecture from the presiding magistrate.

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. 'WELLINGTON.'

There is no news of importance from any of the provinces.

The s.s. Wellington, Capt. Kennedy, arrived in the Manukau from Southern ports this morn ing. Passengers—Miss Dryden, Miss Birkett, Mrs. Gundry, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Long, Messrs. James, Pollock, Taite, J. Kogan, C. Maxwell, Pirima, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. and Miss Overton, Miss Brant, Rev. Mr. Appleton and the Misses App.leton (3), Miss Bishop, Mrs. Hood. Steerage—Mrs. Morey, Messrs. Dunstan, Johns, White, Rosies (_;. CARGO. Per s.s. Wellington :—Transhipped at Wel lington—l case, Combes and Daldy. From Dunedih-— 1 box, •■ Partington ; 3 boxes, MoDonald ; 5 ditto, Stone Brothers ; 1 trunk, Ireland Brothers; 4 ditto, J. Wormall, 4 ditto, 1 box, S. W. Green ; 10 ditto, 1 case, H. Fugate ; 5 boxes, 5 trunks, Westphal ; 3 "trunks, 1 box, Johneon ; 9 cases, 1 cask, Kemp thorne; 1 parcel, Davis ; 1 package, Brooke , 1 ditto, J. Hoare ; 1 case, Vance ; 2 packages, Phillips ; 1 parcel, Wilkes. From Oamaru— 500 bags bran, 2 tons sharps, 156 bags pota toes, G. W. Binney. From Lyttelton—3l2 sacks potatoes, order ; 20 cases mats, 1 parcel, G. W. Binney; 1 parcel, Combes and Daldy ; '20 bundles standards, J. Russell. From Wellington—296 sacks potatoes, Tonka ; 240 ditto ditto, J. Wilson j 120 ditto ditto, G. W. Binney j 1 bedstead, Barnes ; -2 pases plants, Wren; 1 box, Mrs. Mygon. From Taranaki —Skits bacon, T keg lard, White . 1 case, Barnes ; 2 cases plants, H. Macpherson; 7 bags bacon, 7 cases, 2 ditto butter, 2 ditot eggs, A. Barnes; 5 cases, T. Veale.—Combes and Daldy, agents.

THE PERMISSIVE PRINCIPLE.

A public meeting was held last night in the Half of the Mechanics' Institute, convened by the Mayor on requisition, for the purpose of considering questions affecting the liquor traffic. The Mayor presided, and there was a largo and enthusiastio attendance. Resolu tions deploring the prevalence of drinking customs, asking for a colonial permissive measure, for having the votes under it taken by Government officers, and for forwarding a petition to this effect to- the Assembly, were carried unanimously. Tbe speakers on the occasion were Eev. Mr. Edger, Captain Peek, Dr. Nicholson, Messrs. T. B. Hill, J. Sheehan, Dr. Rayner, Mr. Mason, and-Mr. Staines. The meeting was an exceedingly, successful one.

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We are not responsible for our Correspondents' opinions.]

FREEMASONRY AND SIR WALTER SCOTT.

To tho Editor of the St^ah,

Sic, —In reference to the discussion at the •Thames on the question if Scott was a Mason free and accepted, I may state on tbe authority of Mr. A. Laurio, secretary to the Grand Lodge of Scotland, that Sir Walter Scott was a mem ber of St. David's Lodge, Edinburgh, No. 36, whose colour of clothing is dark green, aud date of charter, 1739. It might as well be discussed was tho poet Burns a Mason. Burns was a member of St. James' Lodge, Tarbolton, Ayrshire; was affiliated and crowned Poet L .ureato of No. 2, Canongate, Edinburgh ; was made a Royal Arch Mason of St. Abb's Lodge, Eyemouth, Berwick. lam not sure whether ho was a Mark Mason or not, but he put a Mason's mark on tho Bible he gave to High land Mary at, their parting. I have been in a Lodge with an old Muson, sinoo dead, who told mc he had been in a Lodge both with George IV. and Scott; I do not remember what Lodgo it was. It might be interesting to the Brqthren to know what became of Burns' and Scott's diplomas. I have often made enquiries, but without success.—l am, &c,

D. No. 18, S.C.

HOW AN UGLY MAN WON A WIFE'S LOVE.

The following, which is .alien from " Love1 passages in the Life of Perron tho )( Bretori," is Very Prench'in its spirit, style nnd"situation. M. Perron soes'n young lady.,for whose parents he has dohe/many. favours ; he loves her and asks her hand,' but, as.hejs shockingly ugly, she refuses. Ho.w'eVer as he importunately pressesihis suit, she is obliged to consent, and the ceremony takes place. This leads us to where ■the; extract cbmmenc.es,.aud it is told in his own words :— We took our seats in the carriage alone ; tho. feeling of loathing which betrayed itself in her beautiful countenance after a while subsided into icy coldness. Her mauner; cottpled.-'.witli.lier conduct to herr parents and hefore the altar, filled me with inexpressible dread, and- I felt myself a prey to an undefined apprehension bfiyond thfcii confessed difhoultibslof my situation.. I behaved to her en route with distant but' kind politeness ; antt no o no-who had seen us would have imagHgd our relative positions. I had; no hope of success in'this painful struggle but in going, beyond, her. After a journey'full of embUrraSsffie'nt, which wo performed wit'iout nau^e, my object 'being 'to reach nir residence 'in' Paris as .speedily . ajS possiUe,,we,arrived our destination. I welcomed ]ier with Ceremonial kinduess.as an hpiiyured guest., I took an opportunity in her fresenbe to" ordey royi o>yurprivatcichambej, ; V uo prei for the night; and, hnndin^ er j.h e key of hers, said aloud to her /«f>^ ft: _k, ohambre, ys'.i'A'■' . .-0 .T< _' k I "You will find two beds in Madamw boudoir^ «I desire that, with her permit sion, you occupy one,and never neglect to do so without her especial order." j I cannot dt-scribo tho, expression of tho Countess at that"1 moment. 'A frightful vision ,appeared, to have, .be^ dispelled.; I ,Sgi,il.:6j_r (:-...

she looked as one unexpectedly reprieved from death. Her features, which had been rigid with the fixed resolution that seemed hitherto to have" influenced her, relaxed into an expression of the sincerest gratitude ; and after a moment's reflection she drew from-her bosom a small phial and placing it hurriedly into my hands she rushed from the room. It was poison. 1 was horror struck ! Oh, how humiliating was my situation ! In what extremity had ,1 placed the being most dear to me on earth ! Her, for whose happiness I would have sacrificed all that I valued in this world, save herself! And she, what would she not have done to rid herself of me ? Eorlorn and hopeless, what had I done that should put her hateful mark on me thus P An angel was shutting the door of Paradise against me. It was late on the following day before the Countess appeared in the saloon; her colour had somewhat returned and arsmile of grateful calmness gleamed in her sweet face. , Already it was evident that | a sympathy was* awakened in her, though as yet of no. warmer a nature, than gratitude. I was cheered. One point was gained. She no longer avoided me as a hateful thing ; and though she some times trembled as a consciousness of her situation came over her, my conduct at once frank and respectful, restored her to confidence. But the time arrived when my wife must mingle in the society befitting her station. Instinctively she took its highest tone. I was not prepared for the universal admiration she attracted; and you may imagine the contrast between;her charms, and my appearance, when I tell you we were, designated amongst the tgay asi " TLa Belle et la "Betel"- Now began my tribu lations —myconiba't with;-tbe world. Among the mJnstant:vi»itors at our re unions was the'Vis--tthtsle V , who was openly the most sedulous attendant on Madame. He was a young man of great personal attractions, high birth, and great wealth, witty, and accomplished; so much so, that he had obtained the sobriquet of " Orcesus Crichton." The Viscount's attentions to Madame were offered with great- empressment, and aug mented tho envy and jealousy with which the fashionable of her own sex'regarded her. Scandal began to be busy. T.could have sent the Viscount, a caWeZ,. but this would have been his death, and I.did not desire to become his murderer. He was an accomplished shot, but I was far his superior; for. though I had never been known to fire a pistol, and was, to" their seeming, exactly the man to be trifled with, they were mistaken. Hitherto.she was free, but I should be culpable to let her be longer exposed to temptation. At this juncture a circumstance happened which, I perceived, if skillfully handled, might serve greatly to my advantage. A note fell-;into my hands, directed to Madame, and sealed with the: Viscount's arms. I did not hesitate to peruse it. It contained a pressing- invitation'- to be allowed to attend her to the Duke of 's, to hear the divine Pasta (then in the zenith of her glory^ and; who was to execute the chefs d'auvre in Nini) before a reunion of the elite of Paris. The Viscount and Madame had executed much of this music together, and the note concluded by adding, " Such heavenly sounds require your angelic,company alone to realise all that is perfect on earth." My resolution was taken. I determined to give Madame the opportunity to accept this invitation. After carefully re-sealing the note, I caused it to be delivered to Madame. ,£n hour afterwards I presented nfyseTr before her. I found her silent, thocttgljt^. ful, and uneasy. It appeared to me thaf duty and a sense of decorum were strong —that virtue was not alarmed—and her simplicity blinded her to her danger. But when I stated the necessity for ~< my absence at i the Chambers, on affairs of Government, till late at night, I ..became aware that the demon temptation was at work, from the urg.hcy atfd anxiety with which she entreated me to remain. J, however, pleaded the necessity of my en gagement, and retired'to. prepare "for a result which I saw, by her want of forti-" tude, was inevitable. I need not say that the "Viscountconducted the Countess to his own hotel, which I entered as soon as he, and followed them to his chamber. As I approached tbe door, I'heard Madame's Voice loud in reproach; and on entering found her. standing in the middle of the room.scarlet with indignatiqri,the Viscount ori bis knees before her! 1' closed the door after me, and turned the key.' My wife sank upon the sofa; overwhelmed by her feelings. The Viscount rose • from his knees, full of mortification, but maintain ing the perfect self-possession of ; a man of the world. . I drew a pair of pistols from my cloak, and, placing, them on the table ■ took my >eat opposite niiui. '" ''■--■'<-

""Will it hot; be-niPro in-keeping;" said he, pointing to the weapunsj " to await the lady's-absence-?"- ;; fiBOX "iPrpm, your, manner, Monsieur. le Yicomte," I replied, coolly, "one would imagine I had come for your wife instead of my own." At the sound of my voice Madame re covered herself. She seemed astonished at my composure^and rising in embarrass ment, would have" placed herself Beside me, but I repuls.d liei* saying, " When you.can bring your heart with you it will be time'ehoughi" '■ . ',;' '■'"" ~-*' '•;.:.' ■;j She cast a reproachful, lpok.upbh me and sank s agaip into her seat, covering her face with her hands'. There was a pause, ■ which the Viscount at length, broke, by saying, " This; triumph',Monsieur, is some what, lengthy; will you take satisfaction on.the, spot, pr vyhat.do.yo,u propose ?'* . i '"'I did not come to'lseek your blood," replied I. .T.i___a-K_:|_p .■■■; " Why, then, these -pistols ?" he in quired. ~..,, ..,,, | " Because;" I^ia.^llwonYd1 have you know what I sky atis.s'from:prinoiple, not lyom fear. ' Monsieur l^Yicomte; I Corn« hero not to upbraid you ; I come to corfi vjnce Madame of tbe'vicioUs'hess of that circle of folly with which she suffers hor ■selfto be surrounded— to, prove to her tho danger which^ttendsuS. . v^hetherLbelie ;the galaxy of "sat^lli^s.t^at.float around ljer, she herself 'shall W You lbvo my wife,Moasieuf;jlfi —you jljave told meisoa 'thousand times. You Ijave pitied "her forbeing Sacrificed to a monster like my self—'you Set off your own :i ,against my deformity.., I:loye ; • Yier t00.. : •Now;let,her)be:jwdgo pfjfche dps J V^Ce in the Iqualifcy'ioi'yourrlovop onai ' haDov^ onsieur ' J come !<o;make you 1i a .aohelor^^l^ tayou, Y; o u are > { \ aoqu - 1:' 7fl^n be divorced j'yiou shall

marry her, and that which on earth yon most desire will be yours." The Viscount was thrown completely off his guard. I knew full well he was fow position in the Luxembourg, in a certaia exalted quarter, that rendered matrimonW the sure path to disgrace and bam_hme-\_ from the gay world. V "I was not prepared for this," said tl 1 Viscount, in vain endeavouring to over* \ come his embarrassment. "I cannot sub. Mit to this result—l must have tecourse to the argument on the table." " Observe, Madame," I said, addreggin* myself to my wife, "you are rejected! Nay, rather than receive you. Houourfthljr this gentleman, who professes to lovSyott'f would seek to escape you, even in-tbe_ mg '! of dea.th. Is,this. enough? Is.thiß.hn. . miliatibn—degradation, Or will-' you %lw me to a.name befitting itP" p Whilst I spoke, rope,from the spfr, and placed herselfbihind ray 6hlir.) §y leaned upon my shoulde.. I: felt her tremble. Her tears fell fast, t_Ayoite re drops of precious balm upon my, Jieart. I addressed myself anew to the Vi§<^)un't. " You sit there, Monsieur, wit_fall tKe* blandishments that Nature can lavish upo_' a man, the idol of the opppsite sex, the envy of your own, sated with^ucoeg*. You see before y ; ou .one t>?t)b!e:4infortal nates of her caprice—ohe' JtKhS!s-|%_t: _ single pretension 'to".hh_afmitj;, a_,c_ tbfitis invisible—it is Ids heart! Qh'jjidlonsieur judge my feelings at seeing that which is' mine, but to which I dare.^not-aMHra freely played for by you and others. And 'for what. To throw 1 away.,^_l<?^Qs_ terms by which I hold existeffci. (^fjwjoli Madame,' I continued, turning towards her; 'nothing can quench Sn^We'but death !') thrown by as a cast-off;-&_r_{__t. You, Monsieur, arc a> __an of /fashion* __i_ of the world, yet, unlike y6ttrrpe.rsi.you have a fresh and noble heart." _?lead'for me—in charity give me theinfldence of* that seductive-voice which'y6tf_ehou_ee;; on your own account. You, owe spme*> what for my patience-^teach:jierjt_ai there is a charm in the innate soul greater than,J;he man corporeal. .:._ Teach jher to believe that in me, unsightly aadi-oon-' temned, she rejects all that man. can pffpr,., forbear, or suffer for her sake."''''" '' ™

I had not miscalculated'the;'Vtscbunt. He rose from his seat with emotion, and approached me. '_ '. ■'.' ~ ™77 I " How little do we know the misery we inflict on others," said hei-" Noble _)e'' Perron, forgive me ; and you,' Madam., I ask your pardon. Cherish, I im'pldfeyou, an affection so devoted; show but an equal constancy, and the world, which is noM ~ permitted to look on you with compassion, will stand aloof with admiration. I will make what amends I can," he added, wringing my hand as he left the room. I conducted my wife to our home, and, made no alteration in ray conduct.towards her, except that, if possible, I was.more humble, kind, and attentive than hereto-, fore;, while her self-abasement -was' _&• great that it was many days before I could restore her cheerful confidence. " ' '

There was at that time in great vogue in Paris the Chevalier de Eosevillei ay fellow notorious for every vice under the sun. . His real name was Bois le Dreux, §1 from - the, Lyonnais ; like myself, sprung from humble origin v _^h.e man could-hpaat,, neither refinement nor acdomplishments; but he; had a quick capacity, that could adapt itself to all persons and occasions. His figure was symmetrical, and his coun-j tenanee handsome, but .faded with the pallor of dissipation. He was a successful

id unscrupulous, gambler, cruel and

vicious in intrigue, aprofessed duellist, and i^w^U-known master of hj» weapons.. He revelled in a princely fortune, accumulated., by cards and dice, and every .imaginable J species of villany. By means of l_is'we_liW v 1 he found his way into the highest ranks of j society, and by his; remorseless reputation he held his sway/unattacked. ~, .. Prom the moment he entered my nous'.^

this man established himselfat tbje side^ji Madame. He became a complete secution. But I was not sorry fprihis, ag I desired nothing so much as to.give her ah entire disgust to these imj&r___-nce_7 Already my courage had been capvasipd— a challenge, and consequently my. di&th, was daily looked for by the gaping Crowd. It was clear that the villain must he dealt with at once; but how,was a.matter of no: small deliberation, for.&'om the first, I had resolved that Madame.'spame should not be sullied in the miatter. , I'-ehtei'ea into a project with the Yiscouht, and we together; attended the; club-which hevfre quented. We made ; for the-itable -where he sat, and commenced plafro I.^??!,^r long in finding out legitimate cause,for attacking him. . ... • .. " Monsieur de Hoseville; T;d<y E not .ap-' prove the mariner.'in which yPii have.cut chose cards'. You have placed, an1 Joiiour —it is the ace of spades !" " "7 ■■ < ... T turned over the cards and'sh(.w<ed'the J ono riataed. It1 was but a guess/hoWetfer; yet, as the stakes were heavy, and this jwas the card he wahted.the cheat might'be _ considered a certainty. Tffe- fa'-s^W** founded. ■■" '. :' ■ .vnfiOthnad.-WL^ I continued my attack;,an(fc j the l ,res|l!i?: was a duel. .: I; j duel-was on the, ifclh^ing morning./ , .Roseville had agreed to mjs prpppsitipfi toy use rifles. You see ..thatj one hanging against the wall, small in bore, and nearly six feet in length—-a real Eentuckian !•—it is the one I fought wit]s^*J dopbtijaotyoita will be surprised to bear that I in!sist-_»n Madame's presence at the duel. She never ? did", no. would | kat» questioned my wil 170 requested lieV W envelop herself ite^Tv large, gravelling cloak, and to remain ifrch'e carriage a silent spectator to whatever might,pccur>,,,, *$[f took up the Viscount, and withojiit e#,q changing a word reached the. KrOundj , before my antagonist had arrived. \ iS&fSfr I lie was not long behind, and th® j!, 6' lim maries were quickly arranged«turdi^ jWere to be placed a hundred m kyf. distance, and advance uponFeach v-|r step' 'by'1 step, with the- pptionof firing at discretion. But Woe to him-Who sbottld1: fire first and miss'! His opponent; had ; cjhly to approach iahd put thel muzzle Wy his breast. Such was the arrangement. I I never once thought of failure, so en tire was my self-confidence ; and'l had, throughout, no intention of killing my .man. This would have been contrary to my fix.-d;principle., My object was to striker Him oh I■'the right shoulder, so _3 tOi disable the limb, .and for the future put it out of his power to gamble, ip 'trigue, Or murder as he had been }M the habit of d^iifj7for *p But now the "moment was come, and I had the opportunity of doing what

THE EVENING STAB, AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1871.



T^sMm^AJj Gold mmsTW X COMPANY (REGISTERED), An Extraordinary MEETING of Shareholders will beheld at the office of the qdtppattyj _?,liisiffance Buildings, on FBIDAY, September 29th, at 2 p.m. Business : To consider the advisability of re-forming the Company, and to decide .as to the disposal of the forfeited shares. ' r' ' ' w " C. jinx. Legal Manager. I Ts_ ■ , ! .'■' LI ' ~" ONEHUNGA and AUCKLAND, EAEES 6cL Booking Ofitioe-E LLI 0 T T-8 TBE ET. TcTcLEBGYMEN AND SCHOOL COM MITTEES AN Experienced Sohool-master, Singing mwter, Organist, and Teacher of>lnstru mental Music, is open to a temporary oje perma nent engagement. Beference, the Bight Bey. Bishop of .Auckland;TPar-eIL ..Address, " Teacher," Stab Office. T~IE-ATBE BO^l-^TO^ET.-Applj United Service Hotel.



The high reputation 'Olson's tomato sauco has obtained as a household condiment, has" brought many inferior articles into, the market The publio uro ''therefore warned not to be im posed upon with rubbish, but uiik for Olson's genuine tomato Bauco, and see that bis name is on the bottle,—[Advt.]



[ADVEBTI3EJTENT.] . , f To the Editor of tlie Evening Star. ; Sir, —On looking over one of your paper*1 of lust week, I noticed a remark in jour local columns respecting some of the Parnell tomato sauce. It seems that the manufacturer of the sauce in question thinks in his own mind that nil other shucc, &c, in Auckland is rub bish, and advertises to tho pubiif: " Not to bd; imposed upon by othur rubbish." Allow me, Btr, to state that'-there are other sauces in Auckland equally as good, and I might say fur superior to the sauce named ; and it ddn'fc require the running down by the party who takes the trouble of thinking that the public-' of Auckland are likely to bo fooled by mi ad vevtisemont iii the oolumhs of a newspaper.—• I am, &8., -.-. .t.; ~ A OONKOISSETTE. Auckland, September 19, 1871,