SHIPPING.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET.—This evening, 6.33. HIGrH WATER.—This evening, Vu.bA,

STEAMERS FOR THE THAMES THIS EVENING.

Enterprise, 5.30 o'clock.

ARRIVALS.

Queen, schooner;, Vealo, from Kussell. Lady Bowen, p.s., from Mahurangi. Argo, schooner, S. Lauze, from Jnjis.

DEPARTURES.

Lsetitia, schooner, JJavies.iovi.ußXA,". Hamelin, French war-steamer, Poutluei, toi vai

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

LONDON.-Countess of Kintore, early. KS^^e, 7th to-mor row. Fuis.—L-etitia, to-day.

VESSELS EXPECT

Nebraska, p.s., from lionoli'lu. Napier, s.s , from N'apicr. City of Auckland, ship, from London Chile, ship, from London. Xovelty, barque, from Sydney. Alice Cameron, barque,,from Sydney. Flirt, schooner, from iiji. Kenilworth, schooner, from tijis. ,

EXPORTS.

Per Bella Mary, for Hobart lowa.—a/ bags grass seed, 2 cases plants, 3 ditto lime juice, 800 cocoanuts, F. Lipscomt, s 1 .case Ferris; 38 bundles empty bags, dSUU teet timber, 16 coils rope.—Stone Bros., agents. Per Lsetitia, for Fijis : 15 cases brandy, Ryan, Bell and Co.; 30,000 feet timber, Schapp and Anseune ; 2 cases, S W. Hill; 2 tons potatoes 2 tons flour, McKenzic; 2 packages, Murchill; 1 ca?e, Oxley ; 1 case, Cruickshank, Smart and Co. : 2 cases drapery, McArthur, Shera and Co.—M. Niccol, agent.

The barque Belli Mary will sail for Hobavt Town this evening. Passengers—Mrs. Rey nolds, Mrs. Kathall. The schooner Lsetitia sailed for Levuka to day, with a general cargo. The schooner Queen left Russell for Auck land on the 4th iust., with 74 tons of coal. The Sunbeam reports a brig standing m towards Wangaroa on Friday last. It would ftrobably be Our Hope, from the Thames. Whalees' Report.—The following vessels hare arrived at Russell:—November 1: Louisa, 803 tons, Slocum, from South Seas, with 650 barrels sperm oil, 1150 barrels whale oil, 20CO lbs. bone. November 4: Live Oak, 447 tons, Beckerman, from South Seas, with 750 barrels sperm oil, 525 barrels whale oil, 2000 lbs. whale bene. The 8.8. Taranaki will take her departure to-morrow for the South, and the Phoebe will leave immediately after the arrival of the mail

Bteamer

The p k s> Comerang arrived in harbour yes terday morning from the Bay of Islands, with the following cargo :—45 tons coal, Company ; 45| bales wool, 100 sheep, 1001 bides, A. Buckland ; 1 horse, 3 cattle, owner; 2 tons gum, J. S. Edmonds ; 1 bundle skins, GHttos ; empties, Whitson. Passengers—Mr. and Mrs Simons* Mr. Archer, Dr. Bendon, Mr. Riley, and two natives. The schooner Argo arrived in harbour yesterday morning from the Pijis. Slip left en the 20th Oct. for Hia Hia, with 10 labourers, for Mr. McEvoy; left there on the 24th, and had strong easterly winds to the 29th; since then variable winds. Sighted the great Barrier on the 2ud, and arrival in har bour yesterday morning. The Argo brings 2 passengers, and no cargo.

THE STEAMER PHCEBE.

We have to congratulate the shareholders of the N.ZS. Navigation Company, on the valuable addition to'their list of stea&ers, by the purchase of the Phccbo from Mr. Martin, of Wellington. A telegram was received this morning by the agents here, Messrs. Cruick shank, Smart & Co-, instructing them to hand over everything connected with the steamer to Messrs. Combes and P.iidy, the Auckland agents for the N k Z. 3..X. Company.

COMMERCIAL

EvENi>a Stab Office, Monday afternoon. Messrs. Samuel Cochrane and Son hold a sale of valuable household property, at their mart, to-day, consisting of two large, com fortable houses, aitua!: d in Allen Road, for £300. Mr. S. Jones held a. c 1 earing-out sale, to day, of groceries, &c, at the stores lately occu pied by Mr. Or. W. Owen. There wa3 a good attendance, and fair competition.

CALLS AND DIVIDENDS.

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

THE MAILS.

Mails >vill close as UDder :

For Thames, this day, at 5 p.m., and to-Biowow, at IL3O a»m. and 5.30 p.m. for Xapicr and Southern Provinces, per b.S. keera, to-moi-row, 7th.instant, at 11 a.m. Late letters And telegrams for transmission from the Napier station will be received at this office till 11.30 a.m. For- Kuato. per Sunbeam, to-morrow, at noon. For Kapahga, etc., per Challenger, on Wednesday, at For Taranaki and the Southern provinces, per Tara naki, to-morrow, at 1 pm. Late letters and telo g.ams for transmission from the Nelson station will be received at this office till 1.30, and at One hunga till 2.30 p.m. ■For Russell, Kawakawa, etc., per Comerang, on Thursday, 9th instant, at 3 p.m. For Australian Colonies, per Nebraska, six hours after . her arrival. For New Plymouth, Nelson, and West Coast ports, per s.s. Phoebe, immediately on arrival of Nebraska from Honoulu.

8. B. Bias, Chief Postmaster.

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, &c. This Evening.

Boyal Ttalian Opera, 8. Diorama of Ameican War, City Hall 8.

An old Scotch lady was told that her minister used notes. Bhe disbelieved it. Said one, "Go into the gallery and see." She did 00, and saw the written sermon. After the luckless preacher had concluded his reading on the last page, he said, " But I will not enlarge." The old woman cried from her lofty position, "£e canna, ye canna! for yer paper's give pot."

The Evening Star.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1871.

" For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wro.ig that needs resistance., For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.'

It is really time that something -de finite should be known of the iuteu tious of the Borough Council with re spect to our footpaths. It is generally understood that these are, that fcho footpaths in the maiii street should be flagged with stouo,but it is also known that a strong feeling existn among members of the Council in favour of asphalte, and that, but lor the dogged persistence of a few wrong-headed members, this material would be adopted. There are some people With extraordinarily extensive ideas, and who feel the impulses of progress so strong upon them, that they would all at once have the city provided with improvements and conveniences m keeping with a city of ten times the population. This was clearly enough shown in the views once entertained respecting a market-place, which ap parently was intended to eclipse every thing of the kind hi the colonies. There are some people capable of but one idea at a time, and to them the pet scheme of the moment appears of such magnitude as to shut out the view of every other; and for its reali sation they would mortgage the hopes of all other improvements for years to come. This mental peculiarity is evinced in relatio' 1 to the improvement of the footpaths, and nil the more readily that the pet scheme can be carried out at the expense of others. For many years Lhe footpaths in this city have been left in a state that was a positive disgrace, and made Auck land a by-word in the colony. Now, when the spirit, of improvement is upon us, we must forsooth have our footpaths made in a manner, and at an expense to owners of property, out of all proportion to the value of houses and the general appearance of the city. In Queen-street where, pending the advent of a few tires, good buildings and the most ricketty shanties alternate, the owners must, according to present arrangements, be at the expense of laying flagging, the appearance of which will make many of the buildings absolutely ridiculous. We are very far from urging either that our streets should be left in their present discreditable state, or that an inferior style of im provement should be introduced; for we do assert, in defiance of contradic tion, that asphalt properly laid is, for our purposes, in every way preferable to stone flagging. We know that it is useless to urge this view on those whose experience and range of ideas are limited to Auckland, but we con fidently claim the testimony of those who have seen asphalt pavements either in the .Southern cities or in Australia. Asphalt, with proper (-'arc in repairing it, i? as durable as any stone flagging to be found iv New Zealand; it is pleasanter to walk on ; less liable to dirt and dust; more readily and speedily repaired if' broken by rough usage, its repairs producing no interruption to a thoroughfare; while in the matter of expense, it can be laid at probably one-fourth the cost necessary for nagging with durable, stone. There is an absurd idea which seems to have gained belief with some, that asphalt is not capable of bearing the heat of Auckland, whereas it is known to those who have seen a little more of the colonies, that in Australia, where the general summer heat is such as Auckland never knows, the material has proved its capabilities; and oven iii Queensland, asphalt has entered into use with the most satisfactory results. There cannot be a doubt that this material is the very one best suited to our purposes, and it is a pity that the miserable failures which have attended most of the asphalt, hitherto laid in Auckland, should induce the Oily Council in compelling the laying oi' htone flag ging, to impose on citizens a. burthen as needless as it irf costly. We do trust that some cf the more enlight ened of our Councillors will take a stand in opposition to the thick-witted doggedness of those who know little and will not learn. The Council have very properly reserved to themselves the option with respect to the in tterial to be used; and we hope that more enlightened and comfion-sensi; coun sels will prevail.

As the Ban F.ancisoo .ail boat (a e ? ect£ to arrive to-morrow we> desire to no^y to residents in the suburbs that on- runner, w.l nroceed to Newlon. Purnell, and Frceniiiti s . £y as well as Slnugl.our the city, home- '; diately after thr arrival of Lh» ho-it, .liepo i. M )f».-M contain, the most copiou. news by sftsgift rrrt-;

G-uido Fawtes hns entirely lost, his prestige. ] It is true that the anniversary occurred yes terday, but in our "school days the file would have'been observed on Monday, if Sunday interfered,' with'tho usual demonstrations.. One sickly looking guy was nil that we met with this morning during our peregrinations, and as for this evening's pi-oee.-dings, we rather fancy the police have 100 keen a scent for incendiarism to permit t' c usual explo- j sions of gunpowder. j

■Yesterday, in almost all tii'o churches of the city, the subject of (lie melancholy dentil of Bishop Patteson and Ilev. Mr. Atkiii was re lenvd to iv impressive terms. This expression of sympathy was not confined to the Church of England, but in the Presbyterian, - Wes j lovan, and other churches, discourses were i delivered maldng.special and feelrig'reference !to tho sorrowful event; and iii niiiriy of the 1 churches the pulpits were draped in mourn ing-

In another column will bo found a notifica tion from the Parnell Highway Board to the effect that, payment of rates will be made at fcho office of Mr. Oeorge Eraser, in Shortland street,

A,i awning is being hoisteil under the skylight of the centre hall of tho Exchange, nhich will add' materially lo tho comfort of the stockbroker* and their clients during the ! summer, wiiiuh is f;^! couiiog on us. i» ■ l i ■■■'; .■.. .' , \\ r v have received letters from " Review," | and a " Working Mjui," but as in neither I caso tho iv-uie of the writer is given, we must j iv aceoi-dnnco with our invariable rule, decline

inserting them

Perhaps the punishment of a person this morning for driving up a narrow street at a rale which rendered it unsafe tor any of Her M:ij.-Bl.>'s subjects to patrol the thoroughfare, will have soui'jwbal' oi a deterrent effect. More accidents have occurred in this city from Ihe whirling of tradesmen's spring-carts round the corners, than from any other cause. Iv most elite* in the Australia*, vehicles are compelled to proceed at a walk when crossing side-streets, or debouching from lanes and alleys on to the main thoroughfares. And such must be done here ere long, if wo are to be allowed to use the footpaths without having the fear of sudden and violent death before our eyes.

A special mooting of tho Junction G/uld Mining Company was to have been held this afternoon, for the purposo of considering and ro-modelliug their rules, but up to the tune of our going to press, a quorum of share holders had not assembled.

Return of nick treated during tho week ending Saturday, November <i, 1871, at the Provincial Hospital:— Remained last return, 73; admitted since, 8 ; discharged, 7; died, 0 j remaining, 74; males, 64 ; females, 10. Arrangement of cases :— cancer, 3; scrofula, ,'! ; Byphilia, 3; phthisis, 10; rheumatism, 7 ; imbecility, 1; epilepsy, 3; paraly*i*s 8; ainaurosis, 1; oplhalmia, 1 ; pneumonia, 3; bronchitis, 1 ; heart disease, 2 ; aneurism, 1 ; hcp.titia. 1; dyspepsia, 2; dysentery, 4 5 olburuinaria, 1; ii.ydrocelc, 1; fistula, 2; ulcer, <1; wound 1 : burn, 1; sprain, 1; necrosis, 3 ; fractures, 2 ; tumour 1 ; general debility,6. $o deaths occurred during the week. Tho (.rupees of the Parnell Highway Board sat on Saturday, in the vVesleynn .Schoolroom, for the purpose of hearing objections t 0 the existing iissojoinei.t of th.- rateable property in ihe district. The objectors were not nume rous, and ny ulterution wus made except in special ca«.». The valuation of property in the principal thoroughfares wa» fully sustained. Iv one or two cases some abatement was allowed.

The usual rnonthlj mo.-liug ol Lodge Ara will take place at the Masonic Hotel, at half past seven o'clock this evening.

The high reputation Olson s tomato sauce has obtained as a household condiment, has brought many inferior articles into the market Tho public ar.i therefore warned not to be im posed upon with rubbish, but ask for Olson's »enuine tomato sauce, and sec thai h'u name is on tho bottle. "To Mr. Hans Olson. — Dear fciir, —By some mistake a bottle of your tomato sauce wn* put away in my house, and remained uncorked for upwards of twelve inonfclis. The same bottle of sauce was after wards used at tvy ovru table, and I found it was equally as good as when Grit made—T. W. Doontu, wholesale and retail grocer, 218, Queen-street, Auckland."--[Advt.]

SUDDEN DEATH.

AN awfully sudden death occured yesterday afternoon at the Island of Waiheke. An apparently healthy man, named Charles Grimmiuga, in the prime of life, was found lying on his face quite dead, having but a few minutes left his whare after taking his dinner. We understand that deceased was in every respect a temperate man ; and from what we hear, it is likely to turn out that apoplexy has been the cause of death. The unfortunate man was part owner of. tho cutter .Tuliii, which has this morning brought the body to the morgue, where it now lies awaiting the usual ollicial investigation into the circumstances of his decease.

THE SHARES MARKET.

Mr,. J. M. LiS'Vyox's Repokt.—There are very low buy rs oi Caledonian ui'tci Tlmuies e'laVcs ; shares arta-ouWqiu-ully dctli1 ing. My sales comprise :—Calluldnian, £120; Thumps, £23 j OlnRo," 72« (M. (.'lomih? sellers : Cale donian, £12'J ; Thames,-£23 ; Ow.^o, 77* Od ; Tokaten, 82s 6J ; All Nations, £5 ss. Mb. J. Nkwman's Shahe Kepoiit.—The share market shows indications of greater con fidence, nn-1 a fair amount of business has been transacted to-day at market rates. My sales comprise : Caledonian, £120 ; Thames, £231,0 £.'o ,10s ; AI! Nation*, £5 ; Olajzo, 70s to 755; l'ride of Tokateu, 3s Gd. Buyers : Pride of Tokatea, Peep of Day, and Cbnquer-

ing DUto.

LATEST FROM FIJI.

ARRIVAL OF THE BALULUTHA

[j'KOAI OUK O\TX CORRWSI'ONDUI].'.]

.October 18. Twk iJulclut.ha arrived bore this morning, somewlj.;!. ujjcxi>eclPfi.Jj) from Sydney. If. i*. aiiii.l tliul Jar principal object i:i uoiiiiu^ Ijoro i.- \'i bCiU'cii .of a man named Ciiucoran, an übsoondei" from Molbourne. Tlio detectives who arrived by t.ho .slcauior have chartered a schooner, and will proceed to tho island of Suva, to eiidcavour to capture him. Tho Uiiioi'ulha will "make a short trip to tho Windward Islands, and then return to

October 19. About 30 special constables have been sworn in today by the Government, for the purpose o f proceeding in search of two men, Wilson tfffi Ji he latp rtj» g X Binco tttk e n a soLooner, g. w.u 1. .!£ nen a ■ wbo and Jctt tno pmoo. ~.,,.„, ar,n,d Wk re,olvera, are to ioUow^^ ? AtlcUland sc l loo ncr Helen has returned «*?»•"„. gfc M . a f, ol . a mon U,', a^- SfSt

THE ITALIAN OPERA.

Although Auckland is essentially a musical city, and is possessed ot one^ ot the best Orpheonic halls in the Australian colonies, the vocal music for a good many years past has either been of the charac ter of oratorio or common glee^ and »t?lo singing, and operatic music has boon almost altogether unrepresented. iho operas of our- great composers embrace music of almost every kind—instrumental and choral, harmony and melody, and tbe want of something of this kind, coming between the heavier matter of an oratorio and the lighter strains of'a miscellaneous concert, has been much deplored by. the lovers of the art. But. it must be remem bered there has been no commodious place in which practised and scientiho operatic artists could perform with credit to themselves, and ensure giving delight to their audiences. Our two theatres have always been considered iartoo small and cramped in their arrangements to allow of the higher class of musical entertainment being given with tolerable success. It remained for the company of Signore Cagli and Pompei to show that the general estimation of the capabilities of tho Prince of Wales Theatre had been infinitely underrated. Verdi's grand work of " II Trovatore" was chosen for representation last Saturday night, aud the manner in which it was performed and. tho success which attended il, showed that tbe company had supplied the great desideratum needed in the Auckland musical world. The bouse was crowded, and tho boxes and stalls—filled with tho beauties who abound in this fnir city— presented a spectacle such as is very seldom seen in this city, and such as, when ouce seen, cannot easily be for gotten. In regard:to the merits of the troupe, we feel we cannot do belter than copy the report which appeared in this morning's Herald, which really embodies our uwn views on the subject:—

Tho part of Leonora was admirably taken by Siguora Mtirgherita Zenoni, unJ her first appearance in the garden scene with Inez (Signora Luigia Tourncrio) was the signal for a double round of applause. Signora Zenoni'a voice is a rich and powerful soprano, possess ing immense coinpues, put perfectly under com mand. Her.upper notes are clear and liquid, and she adda to nn engaging personal appearance a style of acting of no'common order. In the cavntina, "Tacea la notte plaeida," she de lighted the house, producing a great effect, by a brilliant appogiatura upon the concluding notes. Then, in the brilliant eabaletta which follow?, the suggestion of Inez to forget Man rico, " Di tale amor che dir si," the upper notes carried a thrill through tho house, and won the fair prima donna immense appbuwo. In tho consent scene, Signora Zononi showed wonderful power of execution, and indeed we were much pleased with tho manner iv which the entire company contributed to the success of the whole of tho second act. In the fourth act we must particularly notice the aria bjr Leonora, " D'amor sull' ali rosee," which displayed to perfection the Signora Zenoni's wide range of notes. Tho terzetto, " Prima che d'altri vivere," again afforded this lady a grand opportunity, of which hlic took great advantage, and which gained her applause and bouquets in abundance. The contralto roice of dignora Luigi Polli is indeed magni ficent, bin-passing anything of the kind that we have 'ever heard in Auckland. The notes are "clear and bell-like, and the apparent- freedom of action and absence 6f any appearance of any great exertion on the part of the artiste leaves a doubly pleasing irapros.non upon the listener. One of the gems of the evening was (lie duet by Signora Polli, as Asucemi, undSignor Ferante Rosnati, a.* Maurico. Wo do not pay this lady too higli v (.••unpliment when we say thnfc once or twice during tho evening her voice forcibly recalled to our memory that of Mademoiselle Scoichi. In the air " Joi povera vivea" she was very pleasing, and her acting with Signor Kosnati in Ihe gipsy scene w;is beyond praise. In two ducts in that scene she well earned the delighted applause of the audience. Signora Tournerio, iv the part of Inez, wns all that could be desired. The Manrico of Signor Ferante Rojnsjti wns ro-t!ly excellent, and, us we have said before, his duets with Siguora IVili were amongst the gouis of the evening. Jl<; clispli'Vod a groat amount of feeling in his acting, in >re especially in the explanation scone with Azweena. His voice was in good order, but once or twice wo fancied he sceuied a trifle overtaxed. This, however, we were inclined to set down to a little m.innciism. In the "Ah ! cle la inorte," for which evcrybo !y was wailing on the tiptoe of expectation, lie was immense, and oin letely brought down'(he homo. His render ing of "Diquella pira" was glorious, mid one of tho Quest things of Ihe evening. The fine voice of Signor Enrico Dondi is a tiling to bo remembered, and no 1 ss in the choruses than in the role of its forlunnte owoi-r, con tributed largely to the great success of the evening. His rendering of the aria," Abbictta zingara," was excellent, and was warmly applauded. Signor Dondi wus even better towards the close of the evening than at the outset, when he was not so well supported by the chorus. Signor Fiiippo (Joliva filled the part of the Conte di Luna well as regards the music, but we thought his acting rather lacking in spirit, more especially in the garden scene. His opportunity occurred in "11 balen," and he carried every ear by storm in that ♦veil-known aria. In his duels with Signora Zeuoni he was notably effective. Signor Francesco Beuso filled the part of Ruiz satisfactorily., Where everything was so good it is a matter of difficulty to select ono chorus as bolter than nnolher. After the first act the chorus was iireproa',liable. Tho anvil chorus was su'pelI'excellent, as was also "Squilli, echeggi la trotnba." The " Mise rere" Bcotued to be scarcely enough subdued. To Signor Alberto Zelman we must accord every praise in his conduct, of a very excellent orchestra. We have seldom heard the music performed in better stylo. The uucO'npani merits were i\m near povfoefcion us popubif. At the cose of each act the principal per to runs is were called before the curl viii, and at tho close of the evening th«?y; received a complete ovation, and vvei'u ovovwhclmed with bouquets, Amongst, the audience Wo heard nothing but expressions of delight and p:ilisl'a;tiou as regards 1110: musical treat which had boon afforded them. This evening '.'Lucia di lianimermoor" will bo produced, j ,':

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

THIS DAY.

THE CALEDONIAN—TWO CWT

SPECIMENS

ALL NATIONS.-1.000 OUNCES

LODGED

ABHIVAL OF THE ' STAR OF

THE .SOUTH'

Gkailvmstow-N, 3 p.m. The Star of the .South arrived to-day, from Napier. Passengers :— Bishop Williams and eleven others.

Caledonian have taken out two cwt of specimens this morning.

All Nations have lodged ISO ounces gold this morning, making the total already retorted 1000 ounces.

The Otago are breaking out stone for crushing.

lied Queen still looking well

Shotover.—The report in to-day's Cross with reference to the sinking of a shaft is groundless.

THE SOUTH.

Special to the '• Star."

STAMP DUTIES AND CUSTOMS TARIFF TO COME IN FORCE NOV. 10.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT WEL LINGTON.

November 3

11l committee (lieuse of .Represen tatives), on Customs tariff, exemption clauses respecting distillery apparatus, dock materials, agricultural castings, struck out.

Civil Service Act and Supplemen tary Estimates passed.

Resolutions affirming necessity for constructing coal tramways passed.

The Legislative Council have dis agreed with the Public .Revenues Bill.

Two sons of Mr. Turnbull, mer chant, of Wellington, were drowned while bathing.

The Stamp Duties and Custom's Tariff Amendment Bills have been read a first time. The new tariff will como into operation on the 10th and not the 20th. Vogel said large orders had been sent to Melbourne to ailti cipato new duties, and he wished to checkmate it.

Wellington (Via Tauranga)

November 2, 4.30 p.m. Tim A.S.N. Co.'s s.s. City of Adelaide has arrived.

The Hon. D. McLean, Native and Defence Minister, contradicted in the House of Repre scnfnlm'S 10-flay the ivport of an engagement i'-iving taken place between Te Kooti and the colonial fojves, in which five men were said to littvo been killed. The report was received from Auckland, but is altogether without foundation.

An advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne Argus announces the establishment of a new steam service be tween the colonies of New South Wai*'.*, Victoria, a-d Now Zonland. The advertise ment is signed McMechan, Blaekwood and Co., and is to the fallowing effect: —■" Addi tional Steam Service: The undersigned will despatch one of their steamers every fort night for Auckland, alternately by the cast and west cousts of New Zealand. The Albion, or another steamer, will proceed to Auckland calling on her way at Port Chalmers, Lyttel ton, Wellington, and Napier. Tho Tarnru, or any other steamer, will proceed to Auck land, calling at Greymouth and Taranaki." '

The Cliristohurch races are expocted to be ail immense success. Great preparations are being made for a ball to bo given in honor of Lady Bowen's xisit

4.-17 p.m. In the Committee of Ways and Means yes terday, Iho now stamp duties were consi dered.

The item for stamping memoranda of en cumbrances wns negatived bj 35 to 18. The item 9 for mortgages and bills of sale were withdrawn.

.Receipt stamps are made twopence on all sums above £2. An amendment to make the minimum £5 was negatived by 32 to 25.

A duty of twopence on bauk cheques was carried by 40 to 14

After a long c ebate the import duty on cereals was carried by 13 to 14.

Tho duty, on limber was passed

Vogel then brought down tho following new duties, which were passed after a short discussion : —Soap, 3s. 6d. per cwt. ; malt, Is. Gd. per bushel; hops, 3d. per lb. The duly on rice is increased to }<\. per lb.

'.1 ha stamp duties come into force on ilie Ist of .December.

Tho im

port duties commence on the 2nd of

November

Puring the debate Vogel slafced that tho Customs revenue for the first quarter of tho present year chowed a falling oil' of £7000 as compared with tho corresponding quarter of f 11*^ pivyious year.

The export of gold for last quarter was nrgtT than during any previous period. — Herald.

THE DIORAMA.

Ox Satm'day afternoon this most interesting represent ationofscenes in tho American war was exhibited to an exceedingly well filled house. Tiip light of day'was shutout, and in every respect the exhibition was the same as if given at hiybt. Iti the evening, notwith standing tho great attraction at the Prince of Wales, tho Oily Hall was not only crowded to otiM'flovrinjj, but about 200 passed from the door, unable to obtain admission. During the whole of this week the exhibition will proceed, and v large number of most valuable gifts will bo presented by lottery to ticket-holders present. We venture to aay that, notwith standing the powerful counter attraction in the opera, this most beautiful diorama will be attended by crowded houses; tho lifelike character of tho scenes depicted, their thrilling interest, and the mimic representations of the battle at sea, and tho funeral of President Lincoln, possessing almost an entrancing in* flueuot! orer spectators.

THE BAYFORD MYSTERY.

When I bade Charles Helmore good-bye in his rooms at St. Cecilia's, on the morn ing we both took our final leave of Ox bridge, it was with the expectation that we should soon meet again! We had gone up to the university at the same time, md had just taken' out degrees, having been fast friends during the whole of our college course. ■ ■ . We parted, as hundreds of old Oxbridge friends 'do .part—to see, iii most ; _cases, very little of each other in after life. Boon after, I left St. Cecilia's, a favouf able opening occurred for me to join the eminent iirm of Darboys and Sailor, soli citors, Lincoln's Inn. One of our clients, Ed war Gathorne, ' sq., ofßayford lark, Buckinghamshire, was an eccentric bacu elo'r, reputed to be some sixty .years ot age. He was the owner of an extensive estate, which' had been in his ■ family for many generation^; but Sic yeas the last of the line. He was an only son, or, more properly speaking, an old child. It had been the same with his father and his grand father- before him . He used to.: boast that there was iipt a soul in exis tence who could claim the most distan! relationship with him. B/vyford House was a large irregular building, occupying three sides of a square ; and it boro the appearance of having attained its present size by successive additions from time to tiipc, according to the erratic caprices <■>!• its' owners. Mr. Gathorrie1 occupied only three rooms in the extreme corner of the western wing. One of these was his sleeping-room.' another his library and dining-room, while the third was inhab ited by his sole attendant, an old soldier, who accompanied his master on his re turn from: India, some fire-and-twenty years before the events of this story, the rest of tho house was given up to owls, rats, and other creatures lhat might find either profit'or pleasure in becoming tenants of the abode. Mr. Gathorne was a liberal landlord, and a kind-hearted though invisible, benefactor to the poor on his estate, There were many curious stories about the eccentric methods in which he performed acts of kindness, .whilst;avoiding as much as possible any. personal contact with bis neighbours. Ono of the leading peculiarities of Edward Gathorne's character was the suspicious jealousy with which lie guarded a certain secret. He took the most absurd precautions to insure against its discover}'. For this reason he would never suffer a woman to approach the house. He used to say that he could. rely upon the dull wits and transparent honesty of Jake, his attendant; but that nothing would be safe from a woman.-! curiosity, sharpened by the knowledge that there was something kept from her. He maintained an almost ostentatious reticence about this secret, which was, that no one should know, until after his death, who would be-the next owner of Bayford. He held that be had neither kith nor kin who had the shadow of a claim upon him. As for the rest of man kind, ho was morbidly apprehensive of seeming to take the least interest in any living soul, Jest he should encourage expectations he had no intention of grati fying. It was the penalty he had to pay, as he used to affirm, for being a childless old man. Our senior partner, and Giles the head clerk, had been summoned to make his will ; but he would not proceed to busi ness until he had fantastically bound them to secrecy by the most solemn assever ations. Thus did the old man live for several years after I joined the firm nursing his mystery; believing that h nust stand siege, and barricade jhimsa against all intruders in his lone country residence, le.«t iy any mischance an in quisitive world should despoil him of his hiddeu treasure.

In the course of time, Edward Gat home dopnrtrd iHis litV, and at tko opfjnus; of Ins will, Cliarlos ' rim ore was ri. c'lurcd (o be Ills heir. Hi.- <* H contained these eh.irßcfcrris i -wo.'is: " 1. have so sueeess intty piianled'-'mv sr-vet respecting tlie disp isitinn of my properly, ihat I am persuaded no on*- will Inl mo-v surprised than Chni'les ."<.]:n »v i iuiseit' at being named my suco - • : i liv- ownership of 13ayford.; But I h :'\ ..l'i him a secret at the samo that 1 luqi'-itli him tlie pro perty; and Lha' crpi i i tho wotiof, whicli has induced in ■■ >">'. V i-s op in favour of a perfect-si at*:.- i cy!u»i« I !i';ve never seen." Theruliiu ;a yicm siron^ i:i death ! lam iifiaid, j.owi-vi r. t;:at t!ie old man would have been greatly disappointed if he could have witnessed the calm indifference with which Charles regarded the mys terious portion of his heir-loom. The in tangible was not at all in Charlie's line. He appreciated the broad acres, and he wondered at his extraordinary good luck ; but as to the occult influences that had been operating to his advantage, he took them for granted; they were " nil right, you know,.'old fellow." llis wife, bow ever, was less disposed to take things quietly. She questioned Darboys, but received from him, such a positive assur ance of total ignorance, that she perceived nothing was to be hoped for from that quarter : the s oivt, therefore, remained a secret.

Darboys, now that his old cjient was £one, throw the management of Charlie's business very much into my hands, hav ing learnt that we had formerly been on intimate terms ; and thus it was lhat our friendship was renewed. The old house at Hay ford required cxtmsive repairs; but, .hoping that it vrouUl be ready in time, Charlie invited me to spend a few days with him at Christmas. I shall not easily forget my journey down to Bay ford on this occasion of my first visit. It was a dark, comfortless, morning; torrents of rain fell throughout the day, beating piteously against the windows of the office^ I wrote my letters by the blurred light of the yellow gas, listening every now aud then, to the incessant down-pour without, and shivering at the prospect of driving some forty or fifty miles into the sodden country in such dismal weather. At half past three o'clock I had finished, and having locked up, I scut for a cab. The cabman was dripping from all his capes. A huge drop of rain, I remember, splashed upon the glass of my watch, as I consulted it when crossing the pavement to the vehicle, which reeked with the dampness and odour of the stable. I requested the driver to hurry, but we cradled along with wearisome slowness through the sloppy street?, and I momently expected the slouching horse would decline meeting the blinding showers any longer. Arriv cd

at the station, everything seemed to h succumbed to the prevailing tone f despondency. Porters moved about wift out animation, and travellers witl, bustle. The wind alone was vicicTf alive, sweeping through every op en j n ? and driving the silent passengers to th seats, as soon as their tickets could T secured and their luggage stowed aJJ fr Noiselessly and sadly the train movi from the platform ; we were steal" away into the darkness. i D 8 Charles sent his brougham to iakp the last three miles of my jourt*y 4 soo:i as I reached the house I wasfat'n shown to ray room.^ and was thankful^ 6 find a magnificent fire burning in the oM° fashioned grate. . I noticed, as tiie serva f" preceded me with a light, the curio irregularity of the arrangon,^ of the building, vve ascended and de ' cended several short flights of stairs, an !j ! made frequent turns before we enter ft I the corridor, at the end of which. m 1 room was situated. Still, all was;so SD / j and comfortable in the apartment itself j and the chintz curtains of the French bed suspended from a wooden supportTetinfo the wall overhead, were so neat aad nrt.tty, that I felt sure I shcuild enjoy a gpo.d night's rest, in spite of the storm which was roaring without, "and making the window rattle. :■ ' ....,' ■-~ X

When the family had retired for tfo night, I had some conversation with Charlie, over our cigar and toddy, Te ,. peeling the curious circumstances- under which he had become master of Bayford. He assured me, that he had not the re. motest idea how he came to be chosen by oJd Gathorne as his heir. He had never seen him, nor heard of him ; and, as fat as he could learn, none of his own family so much as new of his existence. It w a3 a profound mystery, and seemed.likply to remain so. He had of ten spoken to Jake, who was retained as odd man on the staff of the household, but from him he could learn nothing. "I told him, for instance, the other day, lhat I had heard strange stories about the house being haunted, and that the neigh, bours said that we had a ghost for an in. mate." .- i

"You are not afraid of ghosts, I know," Charlie added, with a sly allusion to cer tain brave opinions I held at St. Cecilia's on this subject. " I'll wait till I have seen one," I re plied. " and then, I'll tell you." " Well, that's right," Charlie answered; •'your legal education is beginning to tell, I see. But you must know that we have k had a bad reputation in this place. I j mean the house has "

"And what does Jalce say? I pursued. '

" Lor' bless you, there ain't no ghosts," Jake declares, contemptuously. Master liked the people to think there was. It kept them away. He was the only ghost as ever I see, with his queer way of roam ing about at night-time with his night cap and candle. He'd go at all hours to t'other side house; and he'd have been mortal put out if'ever I had followedhim. But I wasn't going to ; I didn't wantto; and was better in bed, where I were."

And then, after a pause, Jake will mate afresh start.

"He used to talk about a murder, and m asibom that had been walled up. I knewp what he was drivingsat. That was top frighten inc. But I was plagaey puzzled ,fc one time, when lie told me to fetch some & mortar and a trowel, which I did during,1 the day; and when night came he was I off with them to t'other side. He did! that night what he had never done before;! he told me, and I could see how much hej| meant it, not to stir out of my room until*;'; he came back again. He looked awful ; strange that night—worse than I had eyer seen him. It was hours, before ,he came I back with the trowel in his hand, and I without the mortar; and he looked hot and flustered like." "Did you follow him?" " Follow him ! No, I didn't. He was 1 a good master; but he would hare beenß I bad one to deal with, if I had been inqnisi- I tive like the women folk. That's the way he used to put it, you know." The storm was still raging, apparently i with increasing violence, as Charlie bade I me good-night in my room. I madeupa I good fire before I got into bed, and was | soon fast asleep. ; : j How long I slept I cannot say: but I was awakened by a rush of cold night air.U over my face, and louder booming of the | tempest in my ears. There was sufficient| light from the fire to enable me to seethe curtains over my head swaying to and fro. Springing up, I discovered that the windowj which opened inwards, had bees | burst in, and the rain was pouring througt the aperture into the room. I contrived to close the window, and to secure it. I stirred the fire and put on fresh coals. ~ Just as I was falling asleep again, I w* startled by a long-drawn moan of agony, which seemed to come through the wall of the chamber. I sat up to listen, lea?- , ing on my elbow, when the tearful wail was repeated. This time it seemed tqme s in the direction of the door. I was o« the floor in a moment, groping my «J ; towards the door, by the Jight of the tt» I tried to open it; it was gently, if ■ firmly, closed again from the other side. I was frozen with terror, and stood trem bling in the middle of the room; and f» I passed my hand through my bair«J was wet with cold perspiration. 1 back again to bed; but not to sleep, lay awake, nervously alive to ever; sound. , i ; Again that moan of agony-shuddere through the room. I sprang up m d«jP* ation, and attempted to ojien the flow- It was torn from my hand with a pm^ fut wrench, and closed with a bang. . tho same instant the window was dasu open, and I felt the rain pouring over■ m, as if 1 had been standing unsheltered the open air. I believe I should Wff ! lost my senses on the spot, if ne.?! h J | sity of 4effWaff with An aw catem"f B j I not roused me to make eWr,'aki : ! barricaded the window, juat a&AJ i™B^ ; 1 imperilled mariners would stqip » ! during a storm, with anything or e> J .thing that might first come to hantt. , I must have fallen, after this, J*^ troubled slumber, for after losin g ( sciousness for a time, I. touud uy sitting up in my bed witli- a o i undefiuable dread that soraetliing » , ! was to happen. The storm had «» [{ ! but the walls of the room tremblea , shaken by an earthquake. AW there came a sudden burst, as U \ (t ? saud caunon had been discharge a | the window ; the casement was am | the toilet table was thrown orer, &v

THE EVENING STAR, AUCKLAND, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1871.



CAMS. Golden Harp ..\ '• Golden Belt ... r ... Brunswick :'..'■ ... Mary Ann Thistle Hand-in -Band ... Flagship tielt ...... ...' Comstoek Otago ... ... ... Morning Star Conquering Hero . Brighton ... . ....

■ £ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 . 0 0 0

s. d. 0 2 0 6 0 6 0 3 0 6 0 6 0 6 0 6 1 0 1 * Q 2 '6 2 0 2 0

DATE. Nov. 6 Nov. 6 Nov. 6 Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 15 Nov. 16 Nov. 17 Nov. 18 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Dec. 1



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