SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET—This evening, 7.8. HIGH WATER—This evening, 6.55.

STEAMERS FOR TEE THAMES THIS EVENING.

Lady Bowen, 8 o'clock,

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Southern Ports —Wellington, s.s , Wetness day. Sydney—Hero, Thursday.

DEPARTURES.

Tell, barque, Mouatt, for Newcastle. Ivanhoe, schooner, McGregor, for Mon» gonui. Opotiki, schooner, for Opotiki. Charybdis, schooner, for Russell. Fairy, schooner, for Wangaroa.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

City of Adelaide, s s, from Sydney Albion, s s, from Sydney Napier, s s, from Napier City of Auckland, ship, from London Ferndale, barque, from Liverpool Mary Miller, barque, from Adelaide Prima Donna, schooner, from Sydney Galatea, schooner, from Sydney Frowning Beauty, barque, from Newcastle

COMMERCIAL.

Tuesday afternoon. Mr. R. Arthur held, to-day, at his mart, an extensive sale of fruit, &c. There was a fair attendance of the trade. The following are the quotations:—Oranges, 8s per case; lemons, 5s per case ; pears, 3_rd to 3f d per lb.; apples, 2£d to 2-jd per lb.; bananas, 6£dj to 7d per lb. ; plums, 6d to 6£d per lb.; apricots, 2d to 2^d per lb.

Mr. George W. Binney held, to-day, at his rooms, a sale of flour, barley, oatmeal, &c. There was a fair attendance, and good com petition.

Messrs. S. Cochrane and Son held, to-day, at their auction rooms, a sale of valuable city and suburbnn freehold estates. The attend.-: ance was large, and, on the whole spirited competition. The followiug are the quota tions :—Waikato farms, on behalf of the mortgagees : Lot 1, 50 acres, 2s 6d per acre ; Lot 2, 50 acres, 4s per acre ; Lot 3, 50 acres, '4a per acre ; Lot 4,50 acres, 6s per acre 5 and 6, 130 acres, 6s per acre. Eight-roomed house in Alten Road, brought £135.

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND-STREET

Maixs— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m.; and to morrow at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Russell, per Onward, this day at 4 p.m.T For Taranaki and the Southern provinces, per Wellington, this day at 7 p.m. For Fiji, per Argo, to-morrow at 11 a.m. For Kapauga, &c, per Royal Alfred, to*** morrow, at noon For Fiji, per Rosamond, on Thursday, 14th instant, at 3 p.m. For Russell, &c.. per Bute of Edinburgh, on Thursday, 14th instant; at 3 p.m. Mails for the undermentioned places, perss Hero, will close at this office, on Thursday, 14th inst, as under ■<— For India, China, Mauri! ins, Mediterranean Porta, and Continent of Europe, at 10 a.m. For Australian Colonies, at 11 a.m. For Uniled Kingdom, via Suez and Southamp ton, for letters specially so addressed, at 11 a.m» For United Kingdom, via Brindisi, at 11.30 a.m. For money orders, registered letters and newspapers, at 10 a.m. Late letters for Sydney, and United Kingdom, via Southampton, bearing 3d and 6d in addition ta the postage, wiJl be received till 11.30 a.m. S B Brss, Postmaster.

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARR INCORPORATED The Evening News and The Morning News.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1871.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that nefidß resistance, For the future In the distance, And the good that we can dp."

The tendering of the resignation of ,Mr.^ Atkin has troubled,'^ the waters of the City Council, and, as "might be expected, has stir red up the malodorous sediment remaining from the City Board. Every one knowS that nothings is more customary in connection: with public

bodies than for*, a member to send iv his resignation, sometimes in a huff, sometimes from pressure of business, and to withdraw it on expostulation or remonstrance, or on its being shown that inconvenience or evil may result. In connection with the late City Board the practice was quite esta blished, owing to the stormy character of that institution of evil memory. The permission that was formerly given without question is now refused to Mr. Atlcin, and the objecting members of the City Council and their friends have taken to the resource of the true coward, aud, sheltered behiud the anonymity of newspaper corres pondence, have taken the opportunity of stabbing at the Mayor in the dark, by insinuations of his having pros tituted his position to selfish ends, when he has only done that which has been done in a hundred cases in con nection with public institutions before. We do not desire to be regarded either' as the apologist or defender of Mr. Philips. "We have sharply criti cised his actions when they have do served it, and he used to have a disagreeable habit of sneering at the Press, which was calculated to tempt the Press to be his enemy. But " for the cause that lacks assistance, and the wrong that needs resistance," we do not hesitate to denounce the cowardly anonymous attacks that are now being made on him, with the object of creating for him a temporary unpopu larity on the eve of the Mayoral election. "We say without fear that all those in the city who hope to filch from the .620,000 loau, desire earnestly to see the reins taken out of Mr. Philips' hands, and that there is a small party, admittedly a , minority, in'the Council itself, which acts as mouthpiece to the hungry without. We see no advantage, iv waiving tho question as to what may be tho value of Mr. Atkins' resignation or non resignation. We observe that tho anonymous writers in the Press, whom we believe to be none others than the minority in the Council, admit that Mr. Atkins removal will affect the election of Mayor. This is not so, unless members of the Coun cil prove false to their own words, for. it is no secret that the present Mayor was assured, on accepting his seat for the few months antecedent to tho! annual election, that he should hold office for the full term. We are quite aware that a few members, from whom we should not expect anything better, regret having committed themselves, for they did not expect to have so soon" the fingering of the £20,000, but we are confident that the great bulk of the members of the Council are too independent-spirited to sneak out of an understanding in such a manner.

But there are considerations of a higher character than mere points of honor in the members of tho Couucil; and citizens will be more anxious as to the selection of Mayor on the grounds of fitness We are uot taking any liberty with names which are in every body's mouth, when we say that the names spoken of in connection with .the Mayoralty are, besides that of Mr. Philips, those of Mr. Councillor Smart and the Honorable Mr. Far mer. Whether or not these gentle men have signified their intentions we know not. They are both very esti mable gentlemen we admit, in their own spheres, but we express the voice of the city when we say that nei ther the one nor the other is adapted to be Mayor, .of Auckland. ■ Mr. Smart has the advantage of experi ence iv the administration of civic affairs, but, with the exception of Mr. Macready aud Mr. George, who row in the same boat with Mr* Smart, we do not think there• are many outside or inside the Council who would prefer to see Mr. Smart Mayor of Auckland. ; This is not ;S from any thing objectionable in Mr. Smart, for he is an active and a useful citizen, and iv every way a deserving man. But- if the small minority in Council which is known to sustain his clainis swelled into a majority; its action in electing him would not be endorsed by the general public without. As for Mr. Fapner, his qualifications for the Mayor's chair arebriefly summed up. He is very rich, and with the wor shippers of the golden calf, this is everything. There are those inTrAn(.kla-id who cannot value a man, either for his brains, his attention to business, his perseverance, his public spirit, or anything but his guineas. These will believe that Mr. Farmer would be the ne plus ultra of a good Mayor. Being, perhaps, the richest nan in Auckland, he must be neces sarily the best, aud everyone else in 2omparison is only an " adventurer." [t would be no compliment to Mr. Farmer, to say. that (he; is honourable md upright, for all riCh-ihW are; but Mr. Farmer has no knowledge what jver of the routine of the City Coun sil r ,ud he is fartooaudependentto be it the pains to learn. 'Ho could, of :ourse, afford banquets, and fancy mils, and all the, other splendid )ageantry which 7 : surround the Mayors of Melbourne and Sydney yith a halo of glory, but we (uestion if he would bother much ibout that unattractive institution, the ;ity 'sewer, and give much oversight o the forming of sidlings, and cul -erts, and lamps, and the other little terns of a Mayor's bureau. Under lis administration, with the utmost ntegrity in the chief administrator, he loan would be made into ducks wd drakes,]Jand Mr, Farmer himself, i

disgusted with the paltry details of duly and the tone of some of the debates in Council, would very soon retire to the peace and enjoyment of his well-earned wealth.

The qualifications of the present Mayor are tried. His faults and his merits are known. He cannot tickle the palate or the taste of the Auckland people. He is but a worker yet in the hive of industry. He has gathered honey, sufficient for his own wants, with industry, but not sufficient to purchase a fictitious popularity. That he is intimately acquainted with the routine of civic administration, that he is familiar with the wants and capabilities of the city; that he has care fully studied and made himself master of the ponderous details of the Corpora tions' Act, of which he may be regarded as the father, so far as its application to this city is concerned; that he bends his closest attention to the duties of his office ; that he honorably and impartially, and with scrupulous care, watches over the interests of the city, whether in the Provincial Coun cil, the City Council, or in the humbler details of street improvement-*, are facts that not his enemies, not even his cowardly and anonymous traducers in the Press, would dare to deny. That he has made enemies in his administra tion of affairs is to his praise ; for tho public man who is all things to all men is just the tool that would be useful for squandering the city loan; and Mr. Philips has shown that he is no tool for any man's hand. Besides these qualifications, Mr. Philips is known to be one of tho clearest-headed, shrewdest, and most intelligent men iv the city, taking a practical and a common sense view of questions, aud we do not hesitate to say that, taking everything into con sideration, his natural ability, his ex perience of details of offlco, his atten tion to his duties, and his public spirit, there is not in the city of Auckland any man so well qualified to occupy the position of Mayor. This we believe to be the general feeling in tho city; aud wo feel the greater pleasure in giving it utterance, in consequeuco of the mean and un worthy jealousies and petty enmities that are attempting, by tho sheer force of persistence, to give a fic titious importance to the opposition to Mr. Philips.

" Fair play is a jewel," and it is foul play to endeavour thus to work up a trancient popularity for election pur poses, because Mr. Philips has done, in the matter of Mr. Atkins resigna tion, what has been done again and again before. By their love of fair play, we call on the members of the City Couucil to defeat the low trickery that is being brought to bear on this election; and feeling that if the Mayor's duties are administered by improper hands, the city will be saddled with a heavy debt, and nothing but jobbery to show for it, wo call on citizens to exercise their influence on members of tho City Couucil to pre vent the possibility of the success of scheming that has so manifestly ulte rior designs.

NEWS OF THE DAY.

There is in Mr. Upton's window an illuminated tablet neatly executed by Mr. Rickes, of Wellington street, con taining the resolution passed at the late Diocesan Synod in reference to Sir Wm. Martin's retirement from the Synod. The tablet contains the following inscription : — "To Sir William Martin, X.D.C.L. Resolution unanimously adopted by the Auckland Diocesan Synod, session 1871. That this Synod learns with deep regret that Sir William Martin has found it necessary to withdraw from active service in the Diocesan Synod, and desires to re cord its sense of the inestimable advan tage whicn the Church in this country has derived from the. devotion of his energies to its service for so many years. The Synod also expresses its hope that Sir William Martin may long live to see his noble example followed by those to whom the work of the church in this Synod may from time to time be entrusted." The tablet also contains tho minatures of Bishops Cowie, Selwyn and Patteson. It will be sent to Sir Wm. Martin. Wo have had much pleasure in inspect ing a most elaborate work of skill, in the shape of a large model of tho steamship Nevada. It is on a very large scale, and has been finished with a minute attention to particulars seldom seen in constructions of this kind. Everything is represented j with extraordinary faithfulness, and those who.visited the staamer when in this port willnot miss a single feature of those ; which they noticed as distinguishing her I from all which previously visited this port, and as a type of the ocean-going ;American steamer. Every rope is in its jplace, and the model has been made to j scale and of correct proportions, and when lilluminated and the light thrown through ;the port and up the hatchways and sky lights, it is difficult to believe that one is ;not actually looking at tho Nevada herself. ;Those who' had not the opportunity of going on board would do well to inspect this work of ingenuity. Indeed, we are finclined to! rebommend the constructors ■to make a public exhibition of it. In all they would receive a good return. ~*,*. • We are glad to perceive that steps have at length been taken to repair the road between the two portions of the Govern ment Domain, which have hitherto been in a neglected state. The improvements on the Kyber Pass Road hftvp now been completed, and there is a good footpath in the cutting where so many aocidents formerly occurred. Be sides this, the road near the Brewery has beon widened by tho deposition of the material taken from the cutting, and is , now tolerably safe,

We have received a letter from a cor respondent signed a"A Passenger," giving his views of a testimonial presented to Captain Culbert of the" Chile.' "A Passenger " says that, " Only 14 out of the 23 passengers, signed the above, and that the commander was generaly un popular and disliked. Two more testi monials wore presented to the two officers, thanking .them for their kindness, and were signed unanimously." This may be all true, or otherwise, for aught we know, but we dpcline affording space for fight ing ship-board squabbles. " A Passenger" will learn when he is a little longer in the Colony, that every ship has its cliques and jealousies, and that people here only laugh at the importance set upon their ship and all its concerns by " new chums." Lot " A Passenger " put his shoulder to work like a good colonist, aad let bygones be bygones.

A notice signed by the Inspector of Police, appears hi our advertising columns, offering a 'reward of £1030, for any in formation that will lead to the conviction of the person who fired the Choral Hall, on Tuesday morning last.

There was one very narrow escape at the fire last night; and had it not been for the promptitude and fearlessness dis played by a few bystanders, a life would undoubtedly have been lost. A man went into a small building which stood between tho foundry and the block of buildings in Victoz-ia-sti'eet to rescue some valuables. It was then blazing fiercely, and the un fortunate man had scarcely got inside when the chimney fell in. Some of the material struck him on the head, and he fell insensible. Blazing rafters were on the point of falling over him, when Ser geant Major Broughton and a few other courageous spectators observed the oc currence, and rushed in just in time to drag him out before the timbers of the roof came down with a crash. As usual in fires in the night, the destruction of household goods was immense ; and fran tic and terrified people, as well as over zealous helpers, bundled things out of contiguous houses long before there was any necessity for it, the sole object apparently being to clear the houses as speedily as possible, never considering that things may be as irretrievably ruined by being dashed to atoms out of an upper story window as by being burned. It would be well if a property protection corps could be organized in connection with the fire brigade, for excitable and nervous people appear to become abso lutely insane when brought within the glaro of an extensive conflagration, such as occurred last night. Bather an amusing instance occurred of tho panics to which crowds are liable. Somebody near the scene happened to remark that if there were any powder near the place thore would bo a nice explosion. The word powder was hoard by some standing near, and the usual increase of rumours took place. In two minutes there was a general " skedaddle," and Victoria-street was scarcely broad enough to contain the flying terrified crowd.

We have been shown by Mr Oxton, the agent for Messsrs Stetson and Lipster, an American Rubber S-amp. It is in all respects ■ similar to the ordinary hand stamp usod in shops and offices, saving that the die from which tho impression is taken, is composed of a preparation of gutta-percha, and tho cost about one fourth of the ordinary stamp in use.

An eclipse of the sun will take plaoe at ha'f-past four this afternoon, but will only bo visible by aid of a telescope, as the portion of the sun obscured will be Only the twentieth of his diameter.

A public meeting of the Total Absti nence Society will be held this evening at half-past seven at the Young Men's Christian Association rooms on business of importance to tho temperance cause.

A fine turtle has made its appearance, and now lies at tho door of Mr Canning, awaiting the stroke of the executioner's axe. It weighs about 801bs, and looks more lively than most amphibae, after a voyage on the deck of a vessel. We understand that on Thursday, those gour mands who delight to revel in alder mainc luxuries, may obtain a treat by paying a visit to .that restaurateur about tho middle of the day.

A remarkably handsome and valuable silver cup, which has been presented by Captain J. W. Shera to tho Auckland Royal Cavalry Volunteers; is now on view in Mr Upton's window iv Queen street.

Arrangements having been made for the annual course of great gun drill by the Naval Volunteers, No 1 Company as sembled at Fort Britomart this morning under Lieutenant Chapman, and were put through a course of instruction by Ser jeant Major Broughton, during which they fired several rounds of blank cart ridge from tho long 245. During the course No 1 Company will be ex ercised on Tuesdays and No 2 on Mondays at half-past fivo a.m.; on every alternate Saturday there will be practice with 40-nounder Armstrongs at tho North Shore. Shot practice will .commence in a few weeks,

The monthly inspection of the Cadets of No 1 Company Naval Vplunteers was held • last evening at Fort Britomart. There was a good attendance of lads, and they-were put through their Drill by Major Gordon and Lieutenant Chapman. After the. parade carbines were served out to.all those who had.. not been previously supplied

The weekly parade of the Auckland Rifty Brigade" was'held ihls_ moming. The attendance was lamentably small, but no doubt there is some excuse in the fact many of the men were at the. fire last night, and in consequence too sleepy to turn out this morningl

DISTRICT COURT.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12.

[Before Thomas BeoUham, Esq., District Judge.] Hifl Honor sat this morning to hear the ob jections to contributions to sohedules of gold mining companies in process of winding up. Tub Teadesman's Gold < Mi .ing Com pany.—Mr. Rees for the Official Agent.—Mr. Heskoth for' Mr. Cucksey, an objector.—The company, in this case, issued new shares in November, 1870, and the name of the oh

jector appeared on the books as consenting to tho creation of the new capital. The objector gave evidence and said he opposed the creation of the new capital. He also said there was an arrangement made that he and others wwe to pay up their capital on the old shares, and so become released from all liability. Mr. Cucksey had four shares, and he was to pay 30s a share upon his four shares. This he did. He said that he paid it as a "debt of honor." There was an implied understanding that this payment was to discharge him from all liability. It was to pay his proportion of the debts of company. Mr. Lusk, who was legal manager for the company, confirmed tho evidence of the objector in several important particulars. Mr. Roes contended that the exemption claimed by Mr. Cucksey would be claimed by all tho other shareholders, and the company's debts would not be paid. Tbe name of Mr. Cucksey was struck off the list of contributors.

POLICE COURT. —Tuesday.

[Before His Worship the Mayor and W. A, Graham, Esq., J.P.]

Dbunk and Disobdeely.—Rob'ert Boyd, for this offence, was fined 20s and costs, or 48 hours' imprisonment. Bbeach of Passenoehs Act, 1855. — George Coleman, the lad who was reman;l ed yesterday, on a charge of stowing hiui3elf away on board the s.s. Hero, during her la.t passage from Sydney, was again brought up. — The purser stated that the case had been remanded iv the hope that some one would pay the £5 for his passage, but tho money had not been procured. *He therefore pressod for judgment. — Prisoner reiterated his former statement that he.had been taken away against hisjwill. —Fined £5 and costs, or three months' im prisonment, with hard labor. Bbeacu oe Mehchant Shippino Act. — Win. Solomon, charged by P. G. Gardiner, master of the Aurora, with being absent without leave on the 11th instant, pleaded guilty. —Tho master slated the circumstances, and said he was not desirous of pressing the charge. —Prisoner was accordingly ordered to return on board, and cautioned as to the probable consequences of repeating the offence.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FBOM THE THAMES

THIS DAY.

THE CALEDONIAN.—MINE MANAGEB'S BEPOBT.

The following is a copy of a telegram rccoived from the Manager:—

" 10.12 a.m.

" Caledonian, took down 201bs good specimons over head of winze last nighc. No change to report in other portions of mine."

The Caledonian Gold Robbery.

Committal of the Prisoners. 3 p.m. Tho Ca edonian quartz robbery case was heard this morning. The prisoners have been committed for trial. No nvniug news.

SHAREMAEKET.

Tuesday, December 12. MB J M LEN.NOX'S BEPOEX'. There is a decided improvement in the sharomarket. Caledonian eharcs hare still an upward tendency. M) sales comprise Cale donian, 570 to £72.105; Thames, £16 to £16 15s. Closing buyers: Caledonian, £72 10s; Thames, £16 10s. Closing sellers : Caledonian, £75 ; Thamet, £17.

LECTURE ON FIJI: ITS PAST PRESENT, AND FUTURE.

Dn. G. D. Macabtney delivered a lecture last evening, at the Young-Men's Chris tian Association Booms. The attendance was small. His Honor the Superinten dent occupied the chair. The lecturer commenced by alluding to the bad fame enjoyed by Fiji in consequence of the labor traffic. This place was not, how ever, alone in tho trade, although bearing the blame of it. The conviction of the captain of the ' Jason,' at -Queensland, would assist in putting the blame on the right persons. Next Friday he would enter more fully into the subject, and the causes of the late murders. He then dwelt upon the geographical' position of Fiji; its climate, fertility, vegetation, minerals, its inhabitants, both native and foreign. He said that Fiji could not be excelled for growing cotton, but thought culture of the coffee shrub, four times more profitable, while he looked upon the growth of the sugar-cane as the ultimate staple product, and it would be well for Fiji when cotton growing was suspended in favor of-these other products. ' He hoped greater commercial intercourse would spring up between Auckland and Fiji, which he considered would be to their mutual advantage. He exhibited a number of weapons of war, in use _in that country, which were examined with interest. A vote of thanks to the lecturer, and a similar compliment to tho chairman ter minated the meeting. • ■'

THEATRE ROYAL.

Thebe was a large attendance at this •little theatre last evening to fitness the sparkling burlesque of Ixion. :The per formance, however, was not so satisfac tory as on Saturday evening, nor was the text of this very cleverly written extrava ganza adhered to in the manner we should like to see. Excessive "gagging" is ;apt to embarrass the other performers, this was noticeable last night. With this ex ception the performance was good. The preceding piece was well clayed. To night the performance will commence with Gale Breezely, a nautical drama in two acts.

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

Lancashibb Lass was again performed last evening in a highly creditable man ner by this talented company. Tho audience was not large, and became less

on the sounds of the "fire bell" being heard, the drama wa«, however, proceeded with. But at its close Mr. Kcogh was informed that his house had been bu nt down; this proved to be exaggerated, although aU his furaitu -c aad effects had been removed.

ALARMING FIRE.

DESTRUCTION OF MB, HAWKES WOOD'S FOIINDBY, AND SEVERAL DWELLING HOUSES.

At half-past ten last 'night Cons'able Wadrnan rang the Grey street fire-bell, which was followed by the others bells of the town. On looking for the cause, it was discovered that Hawkeswood's foundry was on fire, and was spreading with alarming rapidity. It appears that Mr James Blood, on returning home to his house in Chapel-street, was the first to discover the building to be on fire, which was burning inside the foundry on the floor in the corner, at the back of Mrs Sherwood's house in Chapel strset. Act ing on his first thought, Mr Blood ran immediately for Mr Hawkeswood, who resides some distance up Chapel street, where he speedily obtained the key of the foundiy door, and, followed by Mr Hawkeswood, returned to the foundry and opened the door. Mr Hawkeswood asserts that on arrival he was enabled to relieve the valve of the boiler, and do other acts for the safety of some of his things, before he was driven out by the flames. The whole of the building was soon on fire, and the galvanised iron roof and sides came tumbling down as the supports were burnt away, leaving the er.ensivo machinery standing out in has relief. The wind at the time was very light from the southward; had it been higher, the block of buildings between Chapel and Albert streets would have been doomed. As it was wet sheets and blankets were laid on the roofs of several of the houses to preserve them, and they were copiously supplied with water. Precipitate haste was used by seveial of the occupants to save their household goods, by dashing them from! their first flcor windows and many mor tals ran narrow escapes of broken heads from the undue speed with which the thmgs were launched forth to the regions below. Expostulat'ons were useless, and pounds worth offavniture were destroyed in this manner, r 1 though there was no immediate danger. The buildings in Al bert street in front of the Foundry were also cleared, but the fire happily did not reach these nrermses. In Chapel street the houses did not fare so well. A small cottage occupied by two females was de molished by the people tD stay the flames. A double cottage was also cleared and the whole of the front pulled down. The one nearest to the fire caught and was considerably burnt, the fire being however stayed by the oppor tune application of the hose. The engines arrived half an hour after the outbreak and were speedily at play, two of them being supplied from the main and one from a well in Chapel street, which un fortunately was soon pumped dry. The Brigade rendered efficient serrice and were the means of confining the fire to its limits. The cotfpge in Chapel street used as an office by Mr Hawkswood, was en tirely destroyed by fire. Mr Blood's workshop with a quantity of cabinet ware was also consumed. His front building was however, saved, although several times on fire at the corner of the roof. The next two buildings were foolishly damaged by persons endeavouring to pull them down. This was needless, as the j wind lay in a contrary direction The rear cottages, amounting to four, were entirely consumed; another was pulled down. A woman named Mrs Page ran a narrow escape of being burnt to death in one of these, as she was in bed asleep ; she was fortunately rescued by a neighbor. The fire had spent itself in about an hour, and although it continued to burn all night, there was not much danger of its spreadmg. The engines continued to play en the burning mass for some hours. Crowds of people from all parts arrived at the scene of the fire soon after its commencement, but behaved in a very orderly manner, and several lent valuable assistence. The streets were strewed with furniture and effects, but we have not* heard of any theft. This may be due to the watchfulness of the police, as each pile was guarded by one or two constables. Many assert that the fire commenced in Maxwell's stable at the rear of his butcher's shop in Victoria street, but this is hardly likely, as he was enabled to clear away his hay and straw from the stable; this would have been I impossible had the building been on fire, and this was at a time when the foundry was in flames in every part. The fire too was observed at the first outset to be burning inside the foundry at the place already described by us. The workmen had been engaged till past 7 o'clock in casting, and it is probable that some wood became ignited from contact with the hot metal. Mr Hawkeswood will be a con siderable loser by the calamity, as his insurance only reaches £500, while a lathe in his foundry cost £300 in England alone. His loss may be estimated at £2,000. Most of the buildings destroyed were un insured. We have fortunately to record no serious accident resulting frOm the fire save a fall to Sergeant Oarrigan while engaged in pulling down a building; the injury was slight. At one time of the fire the noise of the rush of steam from the boiler, caused an alarm that an explosion ■wras, imminent, on the cry being raised " Look out for the boiler!" a general skedaddling followed, but nothing occur ring, confidence was soon restored and the people returned. As we said, the whole of the foundry with its valuable contents has been totally destroyed. Great loss will also be felt by the resident-, in the neighborhood in consequence of tb>s outbreak; their furniture has been considerably damaged. Some has been consumed, and several workshops in which these people earn their daily bread have been demolished, and under the new Building Act they will not be allowed to re-erect, unless in brick, which will be beyond their means. It is to be hoped that a foundry like this will not be re placed in such a populous neighborhood to the danger of the inhabitants. Had any wind been stirring last night, the damage done would h^ve been extensive.

It is in the recollection of nearly all « \ not long since a disastrous exnW;? ; hit place at this spot, by whichTlfepZ^ lost an eye, m addition to serious .J^ to some of his workmen. It w aa J, Uries Sunday morning that Choral' fT°. 7 011 consumed by fire, the result f *as cendiary. How truly, it is *; misfortunes never come singly bat The following is a list of the -m. damagedand destroyed:— V proPe% CHAPEL-STEEET. \ Small cottage occupied by t NY, i owned by Mr T. B. Hill net i ' down. ' ' "vm

Two semi-detached cottar ,*,- . by Mrs Sherwood and Mr& BowW^ longing to Mr Butler, both nSi** clown, the latter partly burnt 2 P *! ed Boyal for £150. J ' Ins^edi u Cottage occupied as an office m A _

Foundry and workshops at rear of nffi owned by Mr. Hawkeswood burn, d.*' Insured in the Boyal for £$£ fe rag, and m the Victoria for £300 ft machinery. •* lor Shop and dwelling house occupied **„ belonging to Mr Blood, cabinef iff slightly burnt at corner. «""»•«, Workshop at rear destroyed by fi re part of furniture and goods saved, both uninsured. . . ' ulu Cottage occupied by Mrs. Beck OB n»j by Mr. Scott, partly demolished ' occupied by Mr Evans, ditto Cottage occupied by Mr Mundav shghly injured, shed at back demolish*. not insured. •

BACK HOUSES. Cottage occupied by Mr Moran and owned by Mr Munday, pulled down nS insured. ' l

Cottage occupied by Mrs Page, totally destroyed by fire. Not insured. V , C,°i ta-&? • occuPied by Mrs Moore, owned by Mr Phiicox, totally destroyed by fire Insured for £75 in New Zealand. Cottage unoccupied, totally destroyed

ALBEET STEEET.

Workshop belonging to Mr Burns cabinetmaker, demolished. Not insured' Mr J. Henderson, painter, Victoria street, was first to give the alarm, and rendered good service, amongst which his saving personally two • horses be longing to Mr Maxwell, butcher; the animals being actually under fire. We regret to lea.a that he was a heavy loser. Mr Brown aud several others'ia the same row were also considerable losers.

ANOTHER SUPPOSED ATTEMPT AT INCENDIARISM.

Last night whilst the fire was raging in Chapel street, a person passing along Karangahape Road, near to the JNewton Toil-Bar, saw a bundle of rags saturated with kerosine, and smouldering close to the fence in front of Mr John Probert's property. He at once stamped it out aud gave notice of the occurrence to the in mates of the house.

INQUEST.

An inquiry was opened this afternoon at the Masonic Hotel, Princes street, relating to the late destruction of the Auckland Choral Society's Hall in Symond street, before Dr Philson and a respectable jury consisting of Messrs Paine (foreman), D. Fort, Cf. C. Colgan, Y. Warren, T. D. Warfolk, W. Norrie, T. Watson, G. W. Hardwick, J. Harvey, W. Sloane, Ti Fish, J. Bate, A Watkins.

The jury having proceeded to view the scene of the fire, the evidence of Mr. E. S. Lincoln was taken on their return which was proceeding when our reporter left.

"THE SWEETS OF OFFICE."

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib, —It is astonishing to see the zeal with which some anuonymous corres pondents attack the Mayor in the South ern Cross. Would it not be more fair when accusations are implied or made, if these spirited gentlemen were to give their own names, so that the public might judge if it was personal animus only or zeaiforthe pubJic weal which animated them. There is an adage which says, "No man but a fool but w -1l have his enemies," and it is so pleasant to be able to give any man to whom we have any ill-feeling a stab :'u the dark. To such Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pensk.

VOLUNTEER BALL.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib, —Now that our Christmas holidays are close at hand, would it not be as well, for some of our leading Volunteer officers to get up a Volunteer Ball ? We have tt magnificent room At our command, yiz> the Drill Shed. . : I think, Mr Editor, that if you mil agitate this matter, it may wake them up.. What is Auckland coming to? yP°i races ; no review ; no ball, or amusement of any kind for the ensuing holidays. Has everybody gone to sleep ? Yours, &c, A VoLUNTEEB. 1 Auckland, December 12.

THE MAN IN COUNCIL.

Thebe was a singular commotion in the | Council this afternoon. A green shadow was reflected from the drapery in the I library, across the face of hon. members. Captain Freer looked serious. The irre- | pressible member for Coromandel sm9^ d his pipe with grave reserve. Even Mr. i John Lundon was sensible of something j going to happen. A chill had penetrated into the political atmosphere, which*|tn» heat of hot coffee could not disperse. Tn° Mayor rode into the Court-yard. w| spurs: were brilliant, but his countenance was rueful. The Doctor gave no sign. Tho members of the Executive were not disturbed. To them it mattered • little whether they were to be '»respon sible" or not. The less responsibility* (the more convenient for all Governments; Mr. Beveridge would be legal adviser to a free and easy Government. ** *s. s£ nice to have no responsibility. VvflW a.

_CIIj3 EVENING STA&, TTTESBAf, DECEMBER 12, 1871

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J CATER (late Cbomb-e's), ROYAL • PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY, Queen street, Auckland, has much pleasure in in forming his friends and the public generally that he- has purchased the Photographic Business so long carried on by Mr Orombie; and having secured the services of Mr Crombie's late Manager, he feels warranted in Bt-iting that they will receive every civilty and. attention, as well as first-class and artistic portraits at his hands, and that no pains will be spared to give entire satisfaction. J. C. also wishes to inform the Ladies that arrangements are being made for taking instantaneous Portraits of Children. ANDSOMELY BOUND BOOKS JOB CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, AT e;way t c ' s -/AUCKLAND LIBRARY, 100, Queen street. ~ "■'■/ A liberal discount to the trade and schools. o I NOTICE. ' ,:; EJ YATES begs to inform the resi Jenjs • of Parnell and the 'public generally, that after the Ist day of January, 1872, the business now being canned on \>y Mb' Thomas Watebb will be taken by him. Vh.?n he trusts that by strict attention to business, keeping goods of the very.'best quality, and selling at a reasonable profit to merit the same support as his predecessor. ....... IK retiring from the business which he has carried on successfully for so many years, the undersigned begs to return his sincere thanks to all those who have honoi ed him with their patronage, and hopes that the same liberal pupport will be give b to his successor (Mb R J Yates), whose long experience in the Grocery trade will enable him to give the fullest satisfaction to all who may become •am. iSiera of his. ' ,"A. THOMAS WATERS,: