SHIP PING.

POET OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET. VThis evening, 7.3. HIGKH WATER.—Tbjevemng, 1.16.

UNKNOWN

Challenger, 4 o'clock. Enterprise, 5 o'clock.

ARRIVALS.

St Kilda, s.s., Flowerday, from Wanganui.

DEPARTURES.

Keera, s.s., Carey, for the South _ _ **»« Flora McDonald, cutter, Kenny, for Kaglan.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

LONDON.-Countess of Kmtore. early. Chatham IsLANBS-Magellan Cloud to-day. Southern roETS.-Phoebe, s.s., early.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Albion, s.s., from Sydney. Hero, s.s., from Sydney. Nevada, p.S., from Honolulu. s^£ffi.**W Ferndale, barque, from Liverpool. Briton, barque, for Newcastle. Prima Donna, schooner, from Sydney. Galatea, schooner, from Sydney.

IMPORTS.

IMPORTS. Per St. Kilda, from Wanganui :-36 head cattle, 380 sheep, order ; 1 parcel, Lewis Bros.; 1 engine and boiler, Seaton.—Oruickshaiik, Smart and Co., agents.

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. ST. KILDA.

ARRIVAL The W.S.N. Co.'b s.s. St. Kilda, Captain Flowerday, left Wanganui on the sth, at 3 a.m.: crossed the Manukau bar on the 6th, at 1 p.m., arriving at Onehunga at 3 p.m. Light N.W. winda and moderate weather throughout. Passenger: Mrs. Macdonald and family (3), and Mr. M'Lean.

LAUNCH OF A STEAMER.

A very neat little paddle-wheel steamer, about 25 tons measurement, was launched to day at-half-past twelve, from the building yard of Mr. Duthie, at the end of Custom house-street. She is strongly built, and her Hneß are good, promising a fair rate of speed. One of the young sons of Mr. Duthie per formed the! duties connected with naming her, and as he threw the bottle against her prow, named her the « Effort." It is not yet certain in what trade she is to be employed, bu± there is no doubt she will not belong idle, for vessels of this class are much required in the trade within the Hauraki gulf.

COMMERCIAL.

BvEHisa Stab Office, . as-LA Wednesday afternoon. Messrs. E. & H. Isaacs held, to-day, an extensive sale of glassware, fancy goods, &c. There was a fair attendance of the trade. A large lot of goods were disposed of, but the prices for most of tbe goods ruled low ; but tbe sale being to close consignments, the result was as good as could be expected. Mr. G-. W. Binney sold, to-day, at Ins mart, the type, press, machinery, printing material, arid copyright of the Evening JSTeivs and Morn ing News, -to; Messrs. Reed and Brett, for the sum of £430,

MINING.

The following are the current calls and. divi dends'paya&e in the companies named be low:—

MEETINGS TO COMB. Caledonian' Mutual Mining Investment, Com pany's Office, Auckland, December 6. Golden Diadem, Company's office, Grahams town, December 8 Tokatea,. Company's oftee, Coroaandel, Bth December . ... ... ... . , Watchman, Company's office, Grahamstown, December 11; .. - , Black; . Angel ,; Company's office, Grahamstown, JDecember 18 . -. • 1 Queen of" the May, Governor Bowen Hotel, .Grahams'town, December 19 Cremo'rne,; Company's office,- Grahamstowm, December 19 - , Vale of Avoca, Queensferry Hotel, Auckland, December .21 ' New Caledonia, Company's Office, Grahami town, Deoemtwr 21, Queensland, Company's office, Grahamstown, December 23 > "**'"„' Co;4kadooaie, Company's/office, Grahamstown, December 23 ; .. ; _. Star o^the Thames, Company s office, Uecem- Argo* .Oomfaany's office, Coromandel, Deceit K6hinoor; Pacific Hotel, Coromandel, Decem ber 27 ;„.„,„«" ..

THE MAILS.

Matta will close as under: For Thames, this day, at 4.30 p.m., and to-morr o w, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. Foi.Kapanga, per Royal Alfred, to-morrow, a tf.3t For Wh'itiangi, per Mary Ellen, this day, at 6 p.m. For Russell, &c, per Duke of Edinburgh, to-morrow, at 3 p.m., and per Challenger, at 5 p.m. For Tairua, per Janet Gray, to-morrow, at 4p.m. For London, per Countess of Kintore, on Friday, Bth ißat., at s p.m. jjg J) ':', ../'. . For Tamaaki and Southern Provinces, per 8.8. Phoebe, iinWpately on arrival of Nevada. For' Sydney and Australian Colonies, per p.B. Nevada, *ix hoars after arrival.' 8, B. Bias, Chief Postmaster.

DEATHS.

Knox.—At his residence, Karangahape Eaad, Charles.Knox, Esq., aged 62 years. The funeral will leave his late residence to-morrow (Thursday), at three o'clock. Friends are respectfully Invited to attend. j, - Wilson.—At the Provincial Hospital, Auckland, on Tuesday, the sth of December, Mr. Johm Hislpp Wilson, son of Mr. Robert Wilson, Dunse, Booffiand, aged 22 years. • —■•■■- — The funeral will leave the < t^-jaorrow (Thursday), at 4 p.m. Friends ard respectfully invited to attend. •' -■"■ ■-■- _

DEATHS.

Nernet.—Mrs. Thomas Nerney, Baker»stroet, agaS 36 years, Sydney.papwspleasicopy.

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, &c.

This E73Ning. Tea Meeting, Pitt-street Wesleyan School room, 6.30. Parade Volunteer Engineers, 7. E»rly Closing Association, V.M.C.A. Rooms, 8. Theatre Royal, 8. ....

The Evening Star.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 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."

ilt is time that the question of the practice of vaccination should receive soc»e practical solution. Erom the report of the Public Yaccinator, recently presented to the Provincial Co.uncilj it is evident that vaccination in the province is so little practised that it affords no protection against a general spread of small-pox, if ever that deadly pestilence effects a footing on our shores. It appears that in the five months during which the present Public Vaccinator has held office, only twenty seven children have been sub jected to vaccination at his hands. Making all allowance for the numbers that may ' have been vaccinated by other medical practitioners, the pro portion of the juvenile population added to our census who have beeu pro tected against variola by the great specific is singularly small. What may be the cause of this the report does not make particularly clear; for the rea son assigned by the present incum bent is not very conclusive. He says: —" It will be remembered that the ! functions of Public Vaccinator almost fell into desuetude in the hands of my predecessor, and parents are only gradually - becoming acquainted with the inattention the appointed official, and. showing their anxiety to avail themselves of his services." It is all very well to take the opportunity of having a shot at another medical practitioner; but it seems to .us that, if the former vaccinator neglected his duties, there should be more unvacci nated children awaiting the efforts of his more energetic successor, and, consequently, the numbers in the present return for five months should be considerably beyond the infinitesi mal number of twenty-seven. With all deference to the opinion of Dr. Nicholson, we think that the paucity of applicants for vaccination is to a large extent owing to a general fear, whether well or ill founded, of arm-to arm inoculation. The Public Vaccina tor says in his report:—" The repug nance to vaccination by human lymph, said by some to be almost universal in this district, has either been very greatly exaggerated or has been almost entirely removed. I have met with only one instance of refusal to have the operation performed on the ground that the lymph had not been taken direct from the animal." We confess we cannot see on what grounds Dr. Nicholson has arrived at this conclu sion. In the fact of having met with only one refusal among twenty-eight parents with unvaccinated children, there is very little reason for the gene ral assertion, especially when it may be supposed that the twenty-seven came voluntarily to the surgery, anxious to have their children vaccinated. These twenty-seven parents may be regarded as those of the community who have no timidity whatever on the subject; while the one protester, against whom Dr. Nicholson stumbled, is but a straggler on the outskirts of the great crowd of the unbelievers. If the Public Vaccinator has found that there exists no repugnance to arm-to arm inoculation, it does appear strange that so few should have been sub mitted to bhe operation ; and the fact of there being so few clearly shows that Dr. Nicholson cannot have pene trated very far among the ranks of the unvaccinated., That there is a general suspicion among the community inspecting the danger of vaccination with human lymph is unquestionable, having its grounds more generally in the dangers arising from unskilful inoculation, than from a byiiefc' that germs of disease can be conveyed in the fluid itself that is the ipfcison of cow-pox. That the most idathsQine diseases may be transmitted

by improper inoculation, and by the contact of poisoned blood, is as clear ai s'tlie chining of the sun hi the firmament; and perhaps there ia not a parent that is ever indifferent to the -health of the child or of its family, from which the lymph is communicated to his own offspring. This circum stance of itself is sufficient to account for a good deal of the so called "in difference" to vaccination, and aa no legislation will ever be carried out in opposition to any general, repugnance in the community, it is exceedingly satisfactory to find that Dr. Nicholson has evinced a deep interest in procur ing animal lymph, and that, through his exertions, one of the great barriers to general vaccination will probably be removed.

We perceive by advertisement that the fancy bazaar, in aid of the funds of the Col lege Cadet Company and Athletic Sports Club, open to-morrow, at throe p.m., and the dramatic entertainment, by the pupils, in the College Theatre, at four and seven p^m. each day. The arrangements have been completed, and everything promises more than success. The programme is varied and attractive, and admission only sixpence. We need not add a word in urging one and all to pay the College a visit, aa we have heard that about 500 tickets have already been sold, evidently looking forward to a treat ■which has not been obtained, of this sort, for many months past. We cannot refrain from noticing the efforts of Mr. Baird in this, as in other entertainments which he has superintended, for the benefit of his pnpils. The boys seem to enter heart and soul into everything proposed, and are full of spirits as regards their present efforts to keep ap their former reputation.

We are glad to see that the Kyber Pass Road, on which so many fatal accidents have occurred, is now nearly re-modelled, and will soon, to all appearance, be as safe as any other outlet of the city. The cutting has been widened, and the narrow embankment at the bottom of the hill widened to a corresponding extent.

The ]Ja*ly Closing Association will hold their annual meeting this evening, in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Associa tion. Chair to be taken at eight o'clock. Business: Election of officers, &c. The Society has iv the past year been successful beyond their anticipations. A considerable amount of hibour and expense has beeu gone to. Every business house of any importance in the city has been canvassed, and the principals have almost invariably fallen in with the objects of the Society. We trukt that the objects aimed at by the movement will bo as fully realised in the coming year as in the past year.

The werks on the Grafton Road, are pro gressing in a most highly satisfactory manner. The deep cutting, which will remove the crest of the hill, is Being excavated with vigour, and bhe material from it deposited beside the embaukmeat at the foot, is fust widening 4iie narrow ridge, over whi<»h vehicles had to pass in terror. We are glad to perceiys that bobio of the minor streets are receiving the altention of the watering carts. High-street and Durham street lane were this , morning in a at ate of moisture, more conducive to comfort than when pervaded by clouds of impalpable dust. The time table for the firing of the IDngin neer Volunteers at the new butts is published in our advertising columns. The high reputation Olson 8 tomato sauce as obtained a* a. household condiment, has brought many inferior articles into the market The public are, therefore warned not to be im posed upon with rubbish, but ask for Olson's genuine tomato sauce, and see that hi* name is on the bottle. "To Mr. Hans Olson. — Dear Sir, —By some mistake a bottle of your tomato eauco was put away in my house, and remained uncorked for upwamu of twelve months. The same bottle of sauce was after wards used at my own table, and I found it was equally as good as when first made. —T. W. Doonin, wholesale and retail grocer, 218, Queen-street, Auckland."—[Advt.] The transfer books of the Caledonian Q-old Mining Company will bo closed at noon on ithe 12th instant until noun on the 13th, .when a" dividend will be payable at the Company's office.

ROMANCE OF THE BLUE BOOK. Last night a most romantic statement was made by one of the members of Council during the debate on the Appropriation Bill. When that hon. member sat down another hon. member rose and said : Mr. Speaker, sir, I rise for the purpose of asking a question of the hon. member of the goldfiolds, Mr. Cadman, who has just sat down, and I beg to assure that hon. gentleman that I do so not from motives of idle curiosity* but entirely on public grounds. Sir, the hon. gentleman has just informed the Council that "on a certain occasion he called at the office of Dr. Nicholson, when that gentle man held the. office of Provincial Secretary, and that towards the close of the interview the Dr. thrust a blue book down his (the hon. gentleman's) throat, and that immediately thereafter he (Mr. C.) put his thumb in his mouth and left the apartment." The question I wish to ask the hon. gentleman is twofold, viz.: Did you take the action indicated by you with the view of preventing the return of the blue book, and if so, hud ifc the desired effect?- Mr. Cadman replied that he certainly did take r the action referred to with the. object indicated, as he thought the book might be, handy for re ference on future occasions, but that owing to its contents, being of suck a very indigestible nature it would not He on his stomach. The hon. gentleman begged to assure the Council that the above facts were perfectly true, and that 'he was prepared to produce the volume in proof of his voracity. Another hon. member said (rather gruffly; he was sure the yarn would not pass muster with the blue jackets, but he must confess that he could not answer for the marines.

THEATRE ROYAL.

ThiS theatre was very well attended last evening, when the beautiful drapa of " Pauv rctte, or the Avalanche," w«s reproduced with immense success. This evening the drama " Flowers of the Forest" will be per formed, and Miss stephenson will take the part of Cynthia, which is understood to be one of her best impersonations.

THE SHARE MARKET.

Mb. J. M. Lennox's Repoet.—The share market continues dull. My sales comprisi — Caledonian, £65 ; Thames, £17 ; Moanatai/i, 89s. Closing sellers: Caledonian, £62 ,• Thames, £17; Moanatairi, 80s. 'Mb. J. Tonson Q-AHTiioKreports : —Tookiy, £40; Inverness, £35; Thamoa, £17; Long Drive, £8 10s; Caledonian, sellers, £63; Thames, sellers, £16 10s. r . :. t. . ' v-t .;.'•■!

THE MAN IN COUNCIL.

[bT'GBOFFEET gOFTSAWDER, ESQ.] The hurley-burley is done. The Appro priation Bill has passed the second read ing. Dr.- .Nicholson is not in office, and the hon. member for the City West- —the gentleman of the camelias —is not out of collar. The auriole of office is still upon his brow—the Goldfields (Secretary wears the laurel, Mr. Lusk the oak-wreath and holly berries. 'Twill be a merry Christ mas for the " ins." 'J he " outs" will have bottled gooseberry instead of llossilian .No. 2. Let the hands be clean that will put their lingers into the provincial pie of 1872. Who the deuce could have recognised Mephistophiles but the hon. member for the Bay. What a strong family likeness ! Le Diable a quatre was not hirer to the " Gentleman on two sticks." Sticks make the only difference. We were glad to see the hon. member for the Bay. His political holiday has done him good. Exercise and self-examination, it is to be pre sumed, has madehim appear alittle thinner. He was never remarkable for good humour. His sepulchral laughter is as sonorous as ever. It brings back the recollection of old cachinnatory exploits. He brought no foreign dignity into the Councils of the province. We had ex- ' pected to see him enter in academic cap, vice-chancellor's gown, maaive, with trimmed gold lappets ; and that" Egomct" tallest of Colonial Dons would mount the steps and take his seat by the Speaker. Why should it not be so ? He did good service as it was. He deprecated oppo sition to the second reading of the bill, so that public business might not be hin dered. The Vice' Chancellor played the part of judicious political bottle-holder with admir&ble effect. ( Dr. Nicholson rose to resume the debate. Ho spoke low. He put the figures, through their facings. They be came apocryphal in an instant. The hon. gentleman has a financial habit of placing cyphers on left and right of the units until tbe substantive reality becomes a myth. His mind is logical but his manner is pathological. He disects a budget as luf wcmld a corpse. What a solemn finan cier ! His genius for calculation is ele phantine. But he does not belong to tho pachydermata. He can be pricked by smallest interruption. The Goldfields Secretary struok home when he said, that tho gstmdeyr of the hou. gentleman was fata! to his negotiation with the General Government. The sun of Auck land overpowered the benighted intellects of Wellington, so sbaken with terrestrial as well as fiscal disturbances. His situa tion last night was not enviable. It ; re" miuded one of the chorus in " Faust: " — OhDocter! Dear Doctor, in treasury bills You* u<?t flo accomplished aa making up pills. OU Uddor! Dear Doctor, though your case ie bad Keep up jwur peekar, and neve* look sad. To Mr. Mackay is due the credit of slaying the financial Minotaur. He told the political iEseulapius that the gold fields progress was the fruit of an acci dent—and, worse, the. accident of, the hon. number's removal from office. .It was hard to hgtve it so set dorm. He accused the hoa. metiiber of " mourning over" the history of goldfields, but tho Doctor pleaded not guilty, upon which the hon. Jerome —nothing whatever to the saint of the name —declared that he saw the "big tears stream down the lion, gentleman's cheeks as he " whined" over the Waiotahi tramway; : But hero there was a diversion made, and riaint Andrew Beverid^e sought to take the Executive upon the flank. Mr. Hurst is said to be the most ornate member of the Provincial Cabinet. St. Andrew put his lance in rest, and at him carrying away the flower in the honorable gentleman's button - hole. This had all the neatness t»f > a "new romance of the rose." 'Twas in autumn of tho year—the fall of the leaf ; that he met tho hon. gentleman walking— cogitating w.hat new trifle he .knew not. The gleam of office was spread over the intellectual face, just shaded by the brim :of new belltopper. Ever ambitious of good company, the politician invited St. Andrew to dine with him, to meet the other goldfields members in the chief hotel at Grahamstown. The hatchet was to be buried for ever, many fathoms below the floor of the " Pacific." A dove in the shape of a pigeon post, was to carry the olive branch to the Super's office in Auckland—the modern iNoah's ark, Mr. Hurst was to repeat history and go through Noah's sacrifice by deputy ; Mr. Mitchell came from far Ohinemuri very hungry ; Mr. Mackay strode down from the ranges, his appetite whetted; St. Jerome, like the Monk in Chaucer, never " goeth empty within or without." All met at the Pacific except St. Andrew, who loved his latitats, " What's writ is writ; let the writ issue." Having had an acute attack of rheumatism he was con sulting liobbler's Exercises. But in the coffee-room of the Pacific peaco was not. Three hungry members came to dinner. They found themselves and not the dinner cooked. The hatchet rose like the ghost of Banquo at the "head of the table." " We're swindled, I'm thinking," quoth Mr. Mitchell. "Of course you are," said St. Jerome, in Iris Sardonic manner. Mr. Mackay invited them all to go and get oysters. St. Jerome said " That since the d— had got into the Council tho d— might take the hindmost." They thought ot putting the telegraph in motion, and did it. Tbe tel.egra*u was handed to the hon. member of the Executive, who was " doing a bun" in Canning's.

For weak Bfomachs jellies good are, Eaten cold with ven'son pastry ; But tops and bottoms wholesome food are, Digestive diet light and tasty.. W. J. H. (loquitur). — By Jove; to dine with Mitchell, Mackay, and Jerome at the Pacific, Forgot all about it. Mutton chaps and cheese cakes. Can't be helped. Telegram received, telegram to be sent: —" Forgot all about the chops. Wil) bo down next week, and stand a leg and ' enpers.' " The disappointed slowly dispersed, and whistled as they went to order—>eggs and b«c.on.

The transfer books of the All Nations Gold Mining Company will remain closed from noon to-day until noon on Friday next, when, a dividend for 6s per share will be payable at the Company's office.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

THIS DAY.

SPECIMEN BOBBERY CASE.

MOANATAIRI—SPECIMENS

GrIIA.HA.MSTO"WISr, 3 p.m. Caledonian specimen robbery case adjourned till Tuesday next, for pro duction of. company's lease. Star of the Thames (late Shooting | Star) crushed 30 tons, with a yield of 1 154 i ozs.

The Moanatairi.—Fine specimens obtained this morning in the lower workings. Gold got SE. of engine shaft. G-ood specimens. The Inverness have obtained some more specimens. The Brighton trial crushing yielded 6 ozs.

ARRIVAL OF THE 'ST. KILDA.'

SOUTHKHN TELEGRAMS.

NAPIER.

December 2.—Kereopa will be tried here as soon as the witnesses summoned from Tau nnga arrive per Keera.—-Judge Johnston waitß at Napier for the trial.

HOKITIKA.

December I.—The Rangitofco is signalled, The English mail is not on board.

WELLINGTON.

December I.—The G-azette contains notice that tho G-overnmenfc intends to negotiate the purchase from the natives of 46,995 acres of land on tho Turakina river.— 1 he, Wanganui Municipal po.ition, with the Superintendent's assent, is gazetted.

NELSON.

December 2.—A speokl jury case—the owners of the steamer Murray v. tfdyvards and Co., owners of Iho Ch;irles Hdwards, for col lision Ut Wesport. Case lasted for three days ; verdict, £621 The costs heavy, there being three lawyers on each side.

DUNEDIN.

December I.—Ewi:ig has been committed for shooting the CMnasnan. He is admitted to bail.—A Chinaman haa pleaded guilty to robbing the race. Sentenced to throe months' imprisonment. December 2. —A Court of enquiry on the Wreok of the Ahuriri has returned 'McKiu non's certificate, as the rock is not marked on the charts. The Court censured Mha, how over, 4>r having sluice valves between the compartments open, thus defeating thfe object of watertight compar(,iuent3.

SUPREME COURT.—In Banco.

WEDNDSDAY, DECEMBER 6. [Before His Honor Sir Q-eo. Alfred Arney, Knight, Chief Justice.] The usual weekly Bitting of this Court in Banco was held to-day. Sphay T. Chosbie. —This case was called, but Mr. Heaketh said he would ask for an adjournment. The ctwe arose out of the inter minable proceedings in connection with the llazelbank 0-old Mining Company. The i plaintiff was oue of the co-plaintiffs in tlie ease ■of the Company v. Croabie, and lost the action. He now brought an action for specific relief, in order to recover his separate interest, he having paid all his calls, and done no act to ; forfeit, his right. The present proceeding was an argument on demurrer.—His Honor granted the application.

POLICE COURT- Wednesday.

[Before His Worship the Mayor and Thomas Cheeseman, Esquires, J.P.J DRUNKENEESB. —Two persons were punished in the usual manner for this offence. Dkunk and Disordkrly.—Patrick Lynch, for being disorderly as well as being intoxi cated, fined 20s and costs, with the alter native of seven days imprisonment. Breach of Vagrant Act.—Richard Jones, was charged with being a rogue and vagabond. Inspector Brokaia said he thought the man deranged, he had come to the Police Court and said he had no means of subsistence. Remanded until to-morrow, for medical ex amination. Benjamin G-ascove, F. Siinmonds, George Andrews, and Samuel Collins, were charged with being in a house frequented by persons having no visible lawful means of support, and being unable to give a sufficient reason for being there.—They pleaded guilty. —Sergeant Walker deposed that last night, on account of hearing a great noise in a house off Grey-street, he went there and found prisoners in it, with four females (now also in the dock). There were altogether seven men and five women, and the place was a perfect Pandemonium. As they refused to leave the house when cautioned, and con tinued to create a disturbance, witness pro cured assistance, and took them into custody. As this was the first case of the kind brought before the Court, and considering that they had been imprisoned for some hours, they were dismissed witfi a caution. —Kliza Price, Maria Yeoman, Sarah E. Yeoman, and Ilebecea Yeoman, the four women found with the last prisoners, pleaded guilty of being without visible lawful means of support.— Mr. JBroham said he had received a letter from a lariy, requesting a remand of the prisoners, in order that some arrangements might be made which would obviate tlio necessity of sending the girls to gaol. As Mr, Broham thought such courso advisable, the Bench adjounned the rtise till to-morrow.

THE ALBERT BARRACKS.

To the Editor of the Evening- Stab. Sib,' —Having occasion to go to the upper part of Symond-street on Friday evening I was about to take a short cut through the barracks, but had only got a short distance through when I was informed that the upper gate was kept closed as the Government were afraid that bouio evil disposed1 person might set the place on fire. I think that if the city was enclosed in a wall it might effect the Banie purpose. Now at the same time as I waß going several persons had to retrace their steps through this foolish arrangement, which I think ought to be abolished, and the barracks made a public thorouglitare, as at the present time it is neither useful nor ornamental. By inserting these lew remarks you will oblige Pba.

THE PAVING MANIA.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sir, —The terriblo intermittent epidemic Wjhich has fallen so heavily on so many of our

fellow-citizens calls for the exercise of mndh charity and forbearance. That a strict care and surveillance of those first attacked was not taken is much to be regretted, for the oom plaint is of that peculiar nature that those who have ha-l it the lightest are tbe most anxious that others should have it, even though it disabled them for life. Unfortu nately, from its very nature, it falls the hea viest on those who are the least able to bear it; indeed, so great is the difference iv Irhe virulence of its attacks on different people that it may be reckoned from one to six in degrees of virulence, the latter so difficult to manage that it often ends in disastrous cir cumstances. I have for many years been fully conversant with the complaint, but never in the virulent form it has assumed in Auckland. It was ill ways present in a very mild form in most of the towns I have lived in in England ; but as it was judiciously managed, and much sound judgment exercised when it became necessary to deal with it, I never knew an instance of persons having it stronger than thoy were able to bear without complaining, its yearly attack ou the ratepayer seldom ex citing more than a passing remark. —I am, &c, An Old Doctob, P.P.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVA TIONS FOR NOVEMBER.

Atmospheric Pbessttee. —The mean of the month was 30.10 inches, ranging from 30.32 on the 21st, to 29.81 on the 18fch. Tempebatitbe.—The range of temperature was from 79° on the 29th to 45° on the 10th, 11th, and 12th ; the greatest range in twenty four hours was 24° on the 19th, the mean temperature of the month being 58°. The maximum temperature in the sun was 155°, and the minimum 90°, the mean being 137°. Relative Humidity.—The quantity of moisture present in the air this month never amounted to saturation, the greatest being •892 on the 30th, and the lowest '574 on the 20th. The mean was 733. Wind. —The total number of miles travelled by the wind during the month was 7,140, giving a daily average of 238. The greatest velocity was on the 12th, when 648 were ra* gistered during twenty-four hours, and the least on the 29th, when the amouat reached 70. Eain.— The total rainfall of the month waa 1.38 inches. The greatest rainfall was *31 on the 30tb ; and the lowest '01 on the 22 ad and 25th. Newton Observatory, . December 6, 1871. ,

IN A CORNISH CAVERN.

It was a clear balmy day in June whea I, Richard Dawson, midshipman^ at home in Cornwall, after a two years' cruise, looked up three of my old schoolmates for a row along the coast in a yawl hired of a waterman and well freighted with all that was needed to make tie day a m«rry One. ; Away we went, four of the most light hearted lads living. Bob Trelaway stroke, myself With a pair of soulls. 'Pom Davis in the how —rowing jpandoa ,• And liillie Finch, our little coxswain, Saucily hugging himself on the dwarfish stature which exempted him front any gvea&ft share of our labours.

With many a quip at: each Other's ex pense, our laughter waking up the echoes of. the curiously-veined .cliffs towering above Us, we glided along the pictufesque coast; sometinpes passing beneath huge blocks of granite, which seemed to need but a touch to topple them down upon our frail craft; sometimes catching glimpses of tiny coves, whose beauty no foreign scenery X had ever visited eX-> ceeded. Into one of these our coxswain steered us, when we began to show symp toms offatigue, skilfully taking us through the narrow inlet between the rocks that concealed it from the casual observer. Perhaps the dark hours that followed help «to imprint on my memory the peaceful beauty of that spot, for I can conjure up—even now that years have passed over my head every detail of the fair picture ; ti» o high banks hemming in the mimi"! bay, covered to their summits with heathi.T and the endless variety of ferns that flourish in. the alluvial soil; the trees crowning heights, the sighing of the breeze that stirred the branches, and the musical cadeuce of falling water, as innumerable little rivulets bounded from rock to rock in glistening cascades, or like j silver serpents threaded their way toward j the murmuring sea. The scene was sol lovely that even the mecurial spirit of our j coxswain was impressed by it, and he i stopped in the midst of one of his favorite ditties to exclaim, " -By Jove, it's sub- i lime!" ! In reminiscences of our happy school i days, and song after song from the Mario of our company, the time quiculy passed away, till the deepening shadows warned us that we must depart. ! Our diminished stores were placed in the yawl, and, bending to our work, we soon, j emerged from the peaceful cove into the j broad expanse of St. Michael's Bay. j While we were lingering in the cove, \ the breeze had freshened, so that our ; little boat danced merrily over the j swelling waves, the bounding motioii adding a fresh impetus to the mirth which was exhuberant enough at starting. : We had travelled about half our home- ' ward way, when Tom Davis proposed a row in one of the /jlooming-looking caverns frequently to be seen on the , Cornish coast, .fc-very one agreeia.g in ' the proposal, the boat was backed for a few yards, the head pointed toward the nearest, opening, and half a: dozen vigorous strokes sent us into the yarning cavity. As we darted under the narrow arehj we perceived that at its highest the cavern rose but a few feet above our heads, while to our great consternation we found ourselves irresistibly carried much further than we had intended penetrating into this abode of strange echoes. As another wave came up, impelling us still onward in spite of our most vigorous efforts to prevent it, we looked toward each other anxiously, and our coxs\rain'a voice sounded hoilow and unusually subdued, as he exclaimed : " I say, you fellows, this won't do at any price. Stern all!" This, to our increasing astonishment, we found it impossible to accomplish. We had but backed a few yaxds when with a whirl and a rash against which we could make no head, another wave rolled in, and we clung desperately to tlie side of the cave to prevent our boat being dashed to pieces on some hidden boulder. Though aljve to tlie danger yi' the position and bitterly regretting our foolishness in making the venture with rough a sea running, we did nvi iuiiy comprehend our difficulty until we lo6ked toward the mouth of the' cavern. To

onr horror we pwerirwl thut it wasgZT less a&d less. As the next way* dphing in, its- crest rea^d to wit? 6 8 couple of feet of the <*o«n of V2? ged arch above us. The tide »., % l?e^T n, ag atm a Bhort time £ Should beplosedm from light and wl in a word, that we should be bnfii alire m the Gave*n! ea With indescribable sedations WA watched each wave rise higher and higher, ana the faint light gro> dimmer. while, to increase the horror c-\TC-sitn7 atioß, our boat was dashed V and f™ witli such fearftd violence that we kne» not how long we might hope to prevent its being broken up. Clinging with our bleeding fingers to the projecting rocks, we sat with our faces turned in mute despair to the opening and the "God help us!" which burst from Trelawny's Kps sounded like the words of doom to all. Higher and higher crept the insatiate waters, now reaching the Very summit of the arch, and obliterating the glimmer of light that jet stole in ; then, as if to mock us, receding till tha faint ray was once more visible. Again and again this happened; but at last we were enveloped in pitchy dsfrkness, The wall of water had barr.ed tfs in, and unless God helped us, we liad taken our last look at the bright world without. It w§B hard to die so young ; and even now I think it no shame to our manhood that choking sobs and earnest cries for mercy thronged our lips, as we struggled to hold on against the volume of water striving always to dash us onward into the deeper recesses of the chasm.

In our kaste and alarm we had forgot ten that a small anchor was lying at the bottom of the boat; but now as a larger wave than we had hitherto contended with, oame rushing on ua, Trelawny gasped Qfct: " ihe anchor f over with it or we are lost! I can hold on no longer!'* In an instant f had it over the side. On enme the bellowing wave, the boat was lifted Upon it; our hands were forced to relinquish their graap of the jagg6d stones to which wt? had been clinging, and like six sxvow we were driven for ward, but the anchor held, and, for a time, we felt that we vferi? saved. Up to .'this mo?nent yery few words had Uttered, ftfir the tratie&ioß had been too great, fra*a mirth &acf sunshifia without to the d&rknesg and teftjor within, to per-

Mit df speech. We all knew by what a frail tenure we held orar liees, and silently huddled together, listening to the wash of Ifhe billows as they eafije washing and tumbling past »m? bbat, to. dash with a couefcssioa like flkyiider against some recess of the eaveta, vhioh seemed to be

far, far "away. Bfraage fears efowled aver U£ as we prayed ifieohereifetfy $at the l anchor mighfr&old aiid flfee wmd drop, or clung inst«!eti*ely to Ifte- sides pf our vessel whea th» eiitfymg- yate*V hurried by, leaving behind thefit a t?aaiioot calm, so pjofouud tbnt sjre opnld he:ir our own deep breathing and" th« bftfcsr gTief of our efsftw*il& bapj?y little coxs'Aram. Were sot Ms tiiougbts with Üblo widowed moties, who, ; * -«ih6 lost., him, i«st her all?

Presently th« awfal stillness was broken by a «?ck crumbling from the roof and &Ming T&ith. a deafening crush not many feet from tte& ea«vetnotts vaults ustil it died away in the distance. A'ftter a while we fancied we heard the moaning of the wind outside our prison. Had if' increi'^sed P £nd if the ' result should be as terrible as we foreboded,

would tfur fute ever be known to those

who would mourn for us P Would any vestige of the yawl or her ua fortunate crew be washed oufc to sea to tell the sad tale?

At last—afid wkat fin eternity it seemed —we could discern a faint glimmer of light. A few seconds and it had vanished. Then, like a bright star dawning upon us it steadily increased, and we knew the tide was falling. Breathlessly we watched the bright harbinger of hope, till; with eyes that brimmed over, and voices tremulous with thankful joy, we told each other that we might make an attempt to depart. It was not until after many narrow escapes of being dashed on the partly sunken rocks that we succeeded .in reaching the outer world. What we then thought, or how we acted, may. be better imagined than described; and I suppose I need scarcely say that we ~ave nefer since then explored a Cornish cavern when the tide was running.

THE EVENING STAR, AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER, 6, 1871.



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