SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET—This evening, 7.9. HIGH WATER—This evening, 8.35

STEAMERS FOR THE THAMES THIS EVENING.

Lady Bowen, 9 o'clock.

ARRIVALS.

Duke of Edinburgh, ps, from Whangarei Sunbeam, sohooner, Lane, from Wangaroa

DEPARTURES.

Taurauga, schooner, for Tauranga Hero, sb, Logan, for Sydney Ariel, schooner, for Russell:

EXPORTS.

Per s a Hero. For Sydney : 1 sewing machine J. Harris; 16 bottles quicksilver H; E. Anderson ; 26 coils rope 69 bales tow C'ruikshank, Smart and Co; 5 boxes gold Union Bank of Australia ; 5 do do Bank of New Zealand ; 1 box pheasants L. D. Nathan and Co; 5 cases drapery Me Arthur, Shera and Co. For Melbourne : 1 case cigars L. D. Nathan and Co ; 1 box samples Bucholz and Co ;56 bales flax J. S. Macfarlane. Cruik- Bhank, Smart and Co, agents.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Fiji —Lcetitia, schooner, Saturday Sydney—City of Adelaide, s s, 23rd inst Southern ports—Taranaki, early

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, sailed September 1? Caduceus, ship, from London, sailed Oct 18 Hercules, schooner, from Newcastle W C Wentworth, barque, from Newcastle Eleanor, barque, from Newcastle Luna, ps, from Southern ports Taranaki, s s, from the South Ferndale, barque, from Liverpool Mary Miller, barque, from Adelaide Prima Donna, schooner, from Sydney Galatea, schooner, from Sydney Frowning Beauty, barque, from Newcastle

DEPARTURE OF THE HERO.

The 8 8 Hero, Captain Logan, took her departure for Sydney and Melbourne this afternoon. Passengers—For Sydney —Mr T. E. Willis, Mr and Mrs Chrisp, Mrs Gray and child. For Melbourne —Mrs Delaite, Misses Delaite (2), Mr J. Mack, and H. Campbell.

The s.B- Taranaki is expected in the Manu lau on Sunday next. The ship City of Auckland from London is now over 90 days out, and may be expected at any hour.

COMMERCIAL.

MINING-. The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies rained below; —

MEETINGS TO COME, Black Angel, Company's office, Grahamstown, December 18 Flying Cloud, Company's office, Grahams town, December 19 Queen of the May. Governor Bowen Hotel, Grahamstown December 19 Cremorne, Company's office, Grahamstown December 19 Golden Lion, Governoi Bowen Hotel, Gra hamstown, December 20 "Windsor Caßtle, Queen's Ferry Hotel, Auck land, December 20 Vale of Avoca, Queens Ferry Hotel, Auckland, December 21 New Caledonia, Company's office, Grahams town, December 21 City of Dunedin, Governor Bowen Hotel, Grahaxnstown, December 23 Queensland, Company's office, Grahamstown, December 23 Cockadoodle, Company's office, Grahamstown, December 23 Star of the Thames, Company's office, Decem ber 23 Argo, Company's office, Coromandel ( December 27 Kohinoor, Pacific Hotel, Corcmandel, December 27 Goldfiinch, Governor Bowen Hotel, Grahams* town, December 27 Herald, Company's office, Grahamstown December 28

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND-STREET Mails—

For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m. j and to morrow at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Wangarea, per Sunbeam, this day, at 5 pm. ■. ; For Sydney, par Tokatea, to-morrow, at 9 am. For Kapanga, &c, per Royal Alfred, ta morrow, at 1 30 pm. For Mahurangi, Warkworth, Matakana, &c., per Lady Bowen, on Saturday, 16th instant, ao 10 a m. S B Bibs, Postmaster.

BIRTH.

Dalton.—At Mount St. Mnry'9, on Decem ber 14, the wife of Mr. P. J. Dalton. C.E., of a daughter.

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1871.

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

The fire of attack on Mr Philips i.s still kept up by anonymous writers. In other circumstances we should have left Mr Philips to fight his own battles; but there is such a manifest unfairness in this system of attack, and his assailants, although few, arc so. Protean in form and so persistent in attack, we feel called upon by every impulse of manliness to do battle. We believe our feelings in this respect arc those entertained by the great bulk of citizens, and it is generally thought that Mr Philips is not only deserving of election to the Mayoralty beyond all competitors, but more than ever that the importance of his re-election is apparent, as the best means of pre venting a return to the jobbery of other days with which this city has been disgraced. We are given to un derstand that a public meeting of citizens is to be convened to give public expression to the views of citi zens on the important subject of the election of Mayor. We are glad of this ; for though we do not believe that the sneaks who have been firing away from behind shelter of the anonymity of the press will come out of their hiding-places and talk in a manly way, we shall have better opportunity of discovering their identity and expos ing their motives. It is very well known that the appointments of Town Clerk and of Inspector of JSuisances, are chief among the causes of that enmity which is now manifesting itself in such a cowardly way. We were opposed to the appointment of Mr Brodie, considering that a practising lawyer would have been more fitted for the office. But Mr Brodie has ful filled his. duties faithfully and well, and it is disreputable in the extreme that the chagrin caused in the minds of some by his election on the casting vote of the Mayor, and which found expression in threats against Mr Philips at the time, should after being so long bottled up, find vent in the form of cowardly stabbing in the dark. The election also of Mr Goldie to the office of Inspector of Nuisances has been a source of annoyance to the small and despicable clique that would fain rule the city. Than Mr G-oldie there could not be a more efficient officer, and by the clique it is vowed that he will be ousted from office. If citizens are going to tolerate this impertinent tyranny then they deserve to have the £20,000 squandered on jobs. We do not hesitate to say that only by the ex clusion of Mr Philips will that clique gain the ascendancy, and the question of the mayoralty is one not of a per sonal character but of public import ance.

"We observe that among the corres pondence which that subject has evoked Messrs Staines aud George, two highly respectable aud influential gentlemen in public life, have taken on them to reply to our statement as to there being an understanding at last election of mayor that Mr Philips was to be re-elected for- another year. We did not say; as asserted by Mr G-eorge, that he " pledged or promised his support to Mr P. A. Philips the Mayor;" and it is only Mr George's overweening self-conceit that makes him think so. Mr George, puffed up with the idea that he contains in his person the whole City Council, and bears on his shoulders all its honors and responsibilities, has mistaken the Council for himself. We had thought that after we had published his letter some months ago with its quaint and curious orthography, Mr George would not again have put his horns out of his shell, but now in conjunction with Mr Staines he must needs defend the honor of the Council. For those two gentlemen we have a very great respect. In fact so has every true citizen. Mr Staines and

Mr George are the very models of what City Councillors should be. Dignified in demeanour, of cultivated intellect and polished manner, broad and comprehensive in views on great public questions, these two worthy gentlemen command the respect of all the intelligent and respectable in the city, and if there are any two who are warranted in rushing to the front as champions for the honor of civic au thority, they are Messrs George and Staines. But we beg to differ from these two highly respectable and intelli gent gentlemen. We by no means impeach their honor, which is unim peachable, but we were referring to the Council, not to them. AnU we did not say that any promise was given to Mr Phillips, but wo did say, and we aay again, that there was an under standing, in consequence of which Mr Philips was assured that he should not hold office merely for the few months before the annual election this month, but should be re-elected to office for another year. Such understandings among a class of people who are called gentlemen, are regarded as equivalent to a " promise," or even an oath,_ but probably we are speaking of principles which some people do not understand. As to the grounds of Mr George's chagrin directed against Mr Philips, they are of that broad and compre hensive and elevated character which might be oxpected from one of Mr George's mental calibre, and exten sive intellectual gifts and acquire ments. However, all this controversy is idle. Mr Philips will be Mayor. That is very well known to thoso that know anything at all on the subject. The assailants may put the lance in rest and await a more fitting oppor tunity for attack. If it pleases them to persist in attack, well; but it will perhaps prepare them against unex pected disappointment if we inform them that they labour in vain.

The Provincial Council sat till near midnight. A discussion ensued on a motion of Mr Ball's in reference to placing a sum of money on the estimates for the purpose of testing the value of the coal measures in the vicinity of Mangonui. The motion was carried, after being slightly amended. A five hours debate took place in reference to Mr Creighton's motion on the constitution of the Council; and an amendment of tho Goldfields Secretary, as follows, was carried on a division, with one dissentient voice : — " That this Council feels called upon ta express its disapproval of the attempts made during the last session of the As sembly to pass measures calculated to effect a radical alteration of tho Constitu tion, without any notice being giveu to the governments of the several provinces, or opportunity being afforded to the electors of the colony to cousider such measures. And this Council further protests against any alterations affecting the constitution, powers, and functions of Provincial Legis latures being made, unless and until the proposed alterations arc submitted to the country, and the whole of the constituen cies allowed to elect a Parliament for the express purpose of considering such altera tions. And this Council hereby requests his Honor the Superintendent to place himself in communication with other Pro vincial Governments throughout the colony for the purpose of securing their co operation in taking any steps that may be considered advisable for maintaining the integrity of provincialinstitutions." Other business of a minor nature was disposed of, and the Council adjourned.

That indefatigable manufacturer Lloyd of the Ponsonby Road, seems determined to leave no means unturned to render the manufacture of rope a credit to New Zealand. It is well known now that the indigenous flax, phormium tenax, is ab solutely the best in the world for that purpose, not even excepting hemp or the fibre of the banana. Mr Lloyd is well aware of this, and has devoted his ener gies to the manufacture of rope of every gauge from the New Zealand flax, and for thispurposecontinues to import machinery of the latest patents. Some time ago we gave a full description of his extensive works on the Ponsonby Road. Then they appeared almost perfect, but to our as tonishment this morning we found that immense improvements had been effected, andnew machinery brought into operation. The machinery seemed even more auto matic than before, scarcely requiring the attendance of a few lads to give the prime impulse to the fibre, and pick out the knots in its passage through the machinery. But Mr. Lloyd has not con tented himself with the smaller and more regular kiud of rope, but has undertaken a work of a kind never before attempted in these colonies, in the shape of an im mense flat rope for the winding gear of the Caledonian mine. When we called in this morning we found, besides the usual operations, in an upper story of the build ing four six inch ropes were being dragged by steam power through a machine which flattened them in the same way in which wire is drawn, and were being fastened together as one rope of six inches in breadth by about one and a half in depth. The rope is to be 800 feet long, and is intended to reach into '■he inmost recesses of the golden regions. The works on the Ponsonby Road, are well worthy of inspec tion, and now the omnibusses pass every hour there is every facility for people curious in machinery to inspect them.

That portion of Victoria-street imme diately opposite the scene of the fire the other night has always been in a disgrace ful state of mud whenever a day or two's rain occurred. But now, we are glad to see, the Corporation authorities are striving to put it into decent order. The mass of filth which had accumulated between the water tables (such as they are) and the metalled portion of the road, is being removed, and metal is to be de posited to fill the blank. An anonymous notice has been issued calling on the ratepayers of Auckland to 'meet on the Reserve, next the Thistle Hotel, on Saturday evening, at six o'clock, to nominate a fit and proper person as Mayor for election by the city Councillors.

The baths at Smalo's Point do not ap per to have that universal appreciation which they deserve. The fact of their being no main road leading to them seems to militate against them, although if peo ple would only endeavour to find out what means there are for cleansing them selves from the dust which must accu mulate on every human hide during the hot summer season they would soon dis cover two or three easy roads by which tbey might reach the " Rock Baths. Cleanliness is not to be expected in this ill-drained metropolis of the North, and it cannot therefore be wondered at that its inhabitants should prefer al lowing the dirt to accumulate on their bodies until it peels off in flakes, to taking a morning plunge in the sea. The bath which we are speaking about has lately been very much improved, and measures have been adopted which allow the egress of dirty water and the ingress of fresh sea water at the proper time of the tide. There is every convenience for bathers, and there is plenty of room and plenty depth for the best swimmers. Thecustodian complains to us that there is one vast nuisance to which decent visitors are subjected on Sunday mornings. A number of youths and hobbadehoys, after laving thenTSelves in the crystal basin, take delight in drying themselves by rushing about the roofs of the drossing sheds like a parcel of amatory tom-cats. It is impossible to catch them. Even a policeman who was called in a little while ago was of no effect. The only thing is to call upon the parents of these ram pagious youths to keep a watch on them, and use Solomon's infallible recipe for the straightening of distorted youth. Birch rods are good, and if parents would only apply them to a particular spot when required, the juvenile depravity too common in this town would gradually cease and determine.

Some time ago an awning was hoisted over the hall of the Exchange in the In surance Company's Buildings, but it has not had the desirt-d effect in preventing the rays of the sun from striking on the heads of those doing business below. The side lights are entirely unshaded, and through them tho rays of heat and light are projected during a good part of the day. Would it not be better to frost the whole of the inner surface of the roof ?

We regret to learn that a poor little fellow, the son of a dairyman, John Craw ford, residing at Mount Eden, was a few, days since worried by a ferocious dog in Cfrafton lioad. We understand that had it not been for the intervention of a man who came to the rescue, the child would have been inevitably killed. As it is, he is in a precarious state. We really wonder for what purpose people do keep such ferocious animals, and we should be delighted to hear of the owner of the wild beast in question being brought before Captain Beckham, when we have no doubt he will receive his desert.*.

The embankment across the creek, which used to be an absolute barrier between Newton West ancl the further end of the Kirangahapc Koad, has been so far com pleted that vehicles are able to drive across. The connection between the two districts has already been found of the utmost service, and many a weary step is saved to the hard-worked animals in milk carts and tradesmen's vehicles. We hope to see the work completed ere long. Now is the time for finishing works of this kind.

In our issue of yesterday, in the prize list of the " Melbourne House Academy," an error was committed. The first prize in the first class was won by Frank Best, not by F Hanson, as stated.

Complaints are constantly being made of the discharge of colliers at the Queen street Wharf. The coal dust blowing about is enough to blind any one, besides being likely to damage people's clothing Could not coal be landed at some other place, and so prevent the nuisance ?

| Quite a gay company assembled on board the Golden Crown this morning. A great number of the members of the Choral Society, as well as other musical people,— probably about 150 in all, —started to give their assistance to their musical friends at the Thames, in giving a great rendering of Handel's grand oratorio, The Messiah, on the occasion of the consecration of the new church.

Among other local improvements we observe that the Ponsonby Road, which has hitherto always been in a state of filth, has received a dose of gravel, which has so far indurated its skin that it is actually possible to drive along it without having the wheels sink up to their hubs. The work had become necessary, for the increased population in the district some weeks ago induced certain enterprising people to place a line of omnibusses on the road, and they have proved an immense benefit and comfort to the in habitants of that'distant region, besides enticing other people to take up their residence in that very beautiful district.

The Thames Advertiser says that a provisional committee has been formed for the purpose of inviting Mr Howe to a public dinner, aad that 100 names have already been sent in of persons desirous of attending on the occasion.

The prayer of the petition asking for the release of Francis Innes from Mount Eden Gaol, who was convicted of embez zlement and sentenced to five years im prisonment, has not been granted. A letter to that effect has been received from the Colonial Secretary by the Lord Bishop of Auckland. The letter states no reason, but simply says the Government is unable to comply with the prayer of the petition. ■ An emergency meeting of the United Service Lodge No. 421 J.C., will beheld at 7.30 this evening. Visiting brethren are invited, to attend. ■ •'.'')

We are sorry to find that the Wynyard Pier is fast failing into a state of dilapida tion, and is melting away. < The timbers are perfectly rotten, and. in many places the planks have disappeared bodily. This jetty lias always been a favorite place for promenading on summer evenings, and even for that reason ought to be kept in such repair as would prevent people from breaking their legs.

Athletic sports and races will be held on the 26th instant CBoxing Day) and fol lowing day at Coromandel; also at Papa kura on the 26th, and at Papatoetoe on the 28 th instants.

A correspondent signing " A Man in a F03," writes to us drawing attention to a letter published by us, signed " Argus," with reference to the late fire ; and ask ing " Argus " for an explanation ofjan in volved and ambigious paragraph contained; but we do not see much good that would arise from our publishing the letter An other corressondent signing M.E., under the heading " Slander," says,—" It is a pity your morning contemporary the Cross, does not require correspondents to allow their names to be published, so that the public might see if they are disap pointed office-seekers, or only private enmies of the Mayor, who are the authors of the abusive letters agaist him." But ihe anonymity of the correspondence of the press is established by prescriptive right, and is scared. "We think, how ever most people could single out the half dozen or less among whom are comprised the few who are ringing the changes as if by various hands. In our report of the proceedings in Banco, published yesterday, some inac curacies occurred. The following is a correct report. In the Providence appeal case the Judge decided that property could only be held on the G-oldfields so long as the person holding it was in pos session of a miner's right, and that in the appeal before him the Providence Com pany had no miner's right, and therefore could hold no property. In that case the Warden had no discretion under the Goldfields Acts. In the Bright Smile case the Chief Justice allowed the appli cation to stand over till next week. E and H Isaacs advertise a large sale to-morrow of goods suitable for wear in the summer season. Clothiers and dealers in boots specially ought to attend.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

THE BED QUEEN.—SINKING

COMMENCED.

OTAGO.—SPECIMENS

THE BRIGHT SMILE DISPUTE

•bom oue own cobbespondent.

3 p.m. The Otago have a good show this morning. Specimens from No 2 reef. The Eed Queen have commenced sinking on the reef this morning. The Colibar (late Providence) are crushing general stuff at Partington's, and specimens at Spencer's. A large return is expected. The Wbau machine has started with the full force. The Nonpareil continue sinking on the main reef. Caledonian. —There is a little gold visible'in the face, on the north east side of the winze. The Bright Smile dispute is now proceeding at the Warden's Court.

SHAREMARKET.

Thurssday, December 1-1. Mb j m Lennox's hepobt. The share market is quiet. My sales com prise :—Caledonian, £75 ; Thamea, £17 10s ; Tookey, £24 103. Errors appeared in my report of yesterduy. I sold at £82 10s not £72 10s, as printed, and the closing sellers were £77 10s not £67 10s. [We should add that the errorß were in Mr Lennox's own M S.—E.S.] MBS3HS. SWETE, SCOTT, AND CO-'S BEPOBT. Caledonians, £77 10s; Thames, £17 10s ; Golden Calft, £3 7a 6d; Central Italys, £2 17s 6d ; Conquering Herd, Is 9d; Golden Harp, Is 9d; Coroinaudol Harp, Is Gd ; Tokatea, 80s.

COROMANDEL SHAREMARKET.

MB. B. HARBISON'S BEPOBT. Mr. E. 11. Harrison reports s —Tokateas, ex div, £4 to £4 4s; Bismarck. 12s 6d; Siege of Paris, Gs to 8s ; Royal Oak, 20i ; Peep o' Day, 43 ; Prido of Tokatea, 2s 6d ; Golden Pah, 25s ; Green Harp, £4 10s; Pacific, 7a 6d ; Neptune, 7s 6d. Market dull.— Mail, December 13.

SUPREME COURT.

BANKBUPTCY.

THIS DAT. . r Before his Honor Sir G A Arney, Chief Justice. The matter of James F Cobb was brought before the Court. Mr Beveridge appeared for the insol vent, whose liabilities were small, and who was discharged by his Honor, who however remarked that although a bank rupt might pass satisfactorily through the Court, the creditors might still by legal process compel him to devote some portion of his earnings towards the satis faction of his old debts. Some other case 3 were adjourned.

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY.

Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., it.M. DRUNKENNESS. Three persons were punished in the usual manner for this offence. ' BBEACHES OP MUNICIPAL COBPOBATION ACT. William Collins, for allowing his cart to remain unattended without having a chain passed through the liear wheel, so as to prevent its rotation,; was fined 20s and costs. George: Scorgie, charged with a similar offence, called several witnesses with the intent to prove that he was close by his dray at the time; the policeman, however, deposed that he was absent, and when he was called on to comply with the Act, said he tvould not take the trouble to use a chain for all the laws in Auckland as it would risk the destruction of his dray if the horse should start off. Fined 20s and costs. • A. Crockett, for a like offence, was similarly dealt with. S Campion was charged with obstruct ing the public carriage road by allowing his cart to remain in it without having a horse harnessed to it. He pleaded guilty, and was fined 5s and costs,

Hyman Cohen, charged with obstruct- j ing the public thoroughfare by allowing ! four casks to remain on the footpath of Queen street, pleaded guilty. Mr Keightley for defendant urged in extenuation that the goods were taken in as soon as possible, and that as the foot path in that part of Queen street is very wide, no real obstruction was occasioned. Inspector Broham said that some dealers appeared to be undor the impres sion that they might use the footpath to unpack goods. He thought they should be unpacked in the warehouses and carried in detail to the shops. As it was, tho footpath wa3 covered with straw and broken fragments. His Worship was inclined to give every latitude to people who had no other ingress than across the public pathway, but thought a reasonable time only should be occupied in removal of the goods. The apprehending constable said that an unreasonable time had been taken. Fined 5s and costs. X Fitzgerald, charged with allowing his wheelbarrow to remain in a public thoroughfare so as to cause an obstruc tion, pleaded not guilty. Dr. G-oldsbro' deposed that a few even ings ago he was driving home and came across the defendant's wheelbarrow, which was in the middle of the road. The horse which witness was driving shied violently and endangered the lives of those in the vehicle. When spoken to defen dant met the remonstrances of witness with abuse. That was not the only es cape which witness had had from the ef fects of the clumsy driving of the same wheelbarrow. Witness did not wish tho man heavily punished, but desired that he might be cautioned. The Bench considered it by no means a trifling offence,' and fined defendant ten shillings and costs, or in default forty eight hours' imprisonment. The alterna tive was accepted. BREACH OF SLAUGHTEE HOUSE ACT. John Maxwell pleaded guilty to slaugh tering three lambs on his premises in Vic toria street. He urged absolute necessity of killing them at the time and place he did. They had been sent from the coun try, and he was unable to forward them to Newmarket. His Worship delivered a severe lecture to defendant, but as his establishment bore a good character for orderly conduct fined him 20s and costs for each lamb.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib, —About three weeks since I was hawking in Queen-street, and called in at Mr Canning, the confectioner's shop. He examined my basket, and took up a tail comb, for which I asked him one shilling. He deliberately broke it and then refused to pay for it. I called on him last night, and he told me, on my requesting him to pay me, that if I did not get out of his shop he would call a policeman. I am a poor man, and am working for another party, to whom I am accountable for all the goods I carry. I cannot afford to take legal proceedings, but I trust to your generosity to expose such a shameful imposition on a man who is hard struggling to gain an honest living, As a friend of all hard-working men, I presume to address this letter to you. I am, Sir, Your,s most respectfully, Babnet Simons. [We give insertion to the above, but we feel certain that on Mr Canning being applied to in a proper spirit, if the state ment is correct, he will do what is right. Ed. jff.S.]

To the Editor of the Evenixg Stab. Me. Editoe, —Mr Charles Atkin requires the anonious writers in the Cross to give their names. lam not one, but I do say to him that he should not do an act and then regret it- I say to him don't ask the Council if they wish you to take your seat, but ask your constituents who you are supposed to represent (the Mayor uses a vote in division and casting vote if required) "bad taste," it is very little to use power that law gives, but which jus tice denies, Mr. A., truckle to no man or class, but be an independent citizen. Yours, O. S. Ellis. Hoptoun-street. [We presume Mr. Atkin has the com mon right of changing his mind, nor would any objection have been raised by any one were it not for ulterior purposes.—Ed. E.S.]

THE COROMANDEL MAIL.

We have much pleasure in welcoming the Coromandel Mail to the honorable ranks of journalism. An infant sister was born yesterday morning, and is a promis ing, healthful, vigorous baby, of whom its parents may justly feel proud. The well filled advertising columns show the favour with which the little stranger has been welcomed by friends and neighbors, while in the articles and local columns there is a fresh vigorous power, indicating that by and-by the 3£ail will make its presence felt in the province. The Coromandel district is one of the most rising and pro mising ; and it will be in the highest degree discreditable to the residents, whether business people or miners, if they do not afford a hearty support to their local press,—the best means of raising the Character and advancing the general in terests of the district. We cordially take our little sister by the hand, and shall rejoice to listen to her prattlings,. and shall watch with interest her growing strength, till, full of the importance of the district, she vigorously fights its battles against all traducers.

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

The Lancashire Lass was played for the last time yesterday evening. It is a pity that the legitimate drama receives so little patronage from the Auckland public. A grand amateur performance will be given this evening in aid of the Christ church crew fund. " The Honeymoon" will be performed with a brilliant cast of amateurs and professionals. " A comical Countess" will follow Tobin's comedy. The entertainment is announced to be under the patronage of the officers of the Auckland Rowing Club, his Worship the Mayor, Majors Gordon and Tisdall, and officers of the Volunteer forces, besides the merchants and ladies, of Auckland.,

MAN IN COUNCIL.

By GrEOFFBEY SOFTSAYVBEfi

There was a dreadful contest in the Council over the Auckland Institute vote or rather a proposal to give that learned body £1000 to build a lecture-hall offices, and museum, The Council had not the slightest objection to allow the Auckland philosophers to build a hall for themselves if they paid for it. Indeed the assemblage of scientific curiosities that meet every full moon require an asylum With perhaps three exceptions i^'i, assemblage of superanuated inepii^j For real scientific predilections I havelte greatest respect, and to Captain Heale, Mr Kirk, Captain Hutton, and it may be' one or two more members, I am ready to do all homage. But a man is not a sage because he wears spectacles. I knovr a good many people who wear spectacles because they are fools. The megatherium would acquire a venerable look if its pro. boscis surmounted, a pair of Negretti and Zambras 1 " patent pebbles." It would look even more antediluvian. These scientific societies everywhere promote a fungoid growth. Great amusement was * created last evening by the reiteration of a philosopher that the " rata " grows down wards. Mr Swanson, we think it was suggested the classic contour of a philoso' pher standing on his head. Mr Cadman enlivened the discussion with a narrative of his battles with the " blue-tailed " and "yellow-belly" flies." Our Provincial Socrates is in the habit of meeting these pests so dear to the Auckland swoons in the bush. There was a great grievance felt in a statement made by Dr Nicholson that there was hardly a member of council with intellect sufficiently developed to understand. What a buzzing there was at this audacious statement. The blue-bottles and yellow-bellias almoit split their sides against the windows. Mr Cadman made sundry movements athwart his nose, which showed he was ill at ease. The presumptuous insects got into his beard and hair, and trumpeted with vigor amid the orator's hoary locks. But there was a gale getting up against the flies. Mr Swanson told the Auckland dilletanti that the Councillors could not afford to give two pound ten for a spider, even though it were a British spider. Another hon. membar said that butterflies were pretty things, but he would not give a shilling a piece for a dozen of them. The "cricket on the earth" was a sociable kind of insect, but what the " dickens" did they want with black beetles. Perish black beetles, cockroaches, and molly grubs. Would not, and did not, any bushman destroy myriads of them in a day. Mr May blossomed with benignity for science. Mr Hay said the caterpillars had chewed up all his grass, and Mr Farmer, being in the chair, could say no thing about the crops of the goldfinches. Dr Nicholson settled the question. He said there was a building available where i the bones of the Provincial fauna would rest in peace. The shark and the flounder would be in no fear of their skeletons catching cold. There was not the slightest fear, in Mr Mackay's opinion, of the coal measures and specimens in the museum setting the Thames on fire. There was no fear of the eggs of the kiwi getting addled, being wrapped up in flannel. The tracks of the moa would not stir. Mr Shanaghan would give £100 to the museum, so that the shade of the late benevolent doctor in Parnell should not bo disturbed* There was a cruel suggestion that when the skeleton of Titokowaru, the teeth of Te i Kooti, and the head of Kereopa were > amongst the collection, it would be worth going to see. Auckland science, we regret to say, was disconifitted by 18 to 13 votes.

Woman s Sights came up for discussion last evening. And woman was there in all her glory,—pretty, patronising, viva cious, ribbons streaming from their co quettish little hats, kid gloves on their dainty hands. Gracious! to see how assiduous the members were in pointing their shirt collars. Those who had none, —collars we mean, —stroked their beards; those that had no beards pulled their own noses with profound interest in the question. How eloquent the advocate of women's rights became! And what gracious smiles they got. The Provincial Secretary was meek; the Treasurer was radient; and the Goldfields Secretary held that the rights of women - were the precious nuggets of human life, her smile the true colour of the mine of wealth beneath, and the virgin bloom upon her cheek the support of the Government. What could the Executive —any Execu tive do without it. Mr, Carleton leaned his s , head upon his staff, looking to the ground. " The light of other days was gone." The orators on both sides were women defenders. Messrs. Boylan; Cadman, Mackay, and the majority in sisted upon the impregnability of her virtue, as against the petition of a publican and sinner. The woman's right advocate, insisted that the best security, for home, was in giving her the " right "to tear the publican's opinion to tatters. The ladies won the victory by eighteen to eleven, upon a division. The hon Mr Creighton came up from the.; Thames to see the fray. He sat in the very blaze of the ladies' gallery. Had these maidens been on the floor of the house they would surely have passed him a vote of thanks and put a ribbon < round his neck. We have heard it said that a medal will be struck in honor of this gentleman's exertions for the reform of husbands. The arms of the cause will be raised ojy one side — three hearts with an orange; blossom for a crest. The likeness of fIPSj hon gentleman will be struck upon the^ other side, the effect being very striking indeed. The device would have beneath the inscription: Creighton admirabilis et aque osus. There was great joy at the victory of j water pure and simple over water forti fied with spirit. The majority proceeded straight to Bellamy's, and procured a dozen and a half of soda water and firedß volley over the remains c tgw'tf££r publicans petition. This feu discharged, the members adjourned c T'Jf Council Chamber, reported progre^jM" asked leave to sit again next sitting W- The minority have been "standing to one another ever since. ; [This was withheld from yesterday S., issue, owing to pre3B of matter.]

His Honor the Superintendent invites his constituents for the city west, to meet him at the Mechanics' Institute, at 9 t o'clQck to-nioryow evening.

THE EVENING STAB, THURSDAY DECEMBER U. 1871.

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J CATER (late Cbombib'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 bo long carried on by Mr Orombie ; and having secured the services of Mr Crombie's late Manager, he feels warranted in ttating that they will receive every civilty and attention, as well as first-class and artistic portraits at his hands, aud that no rins will bo spared to give entire satisfaction. C. also wishes to inform the Ladies that arrangements are being made for taking instantaneous Portraits of Children.,



NOTICE. RJ YATES beg 3to inform the residents c of Paraell and the public generally. that after the Ist day of January, 1872, the business now being carrrieil on by Me Thomas Waters will be taken by him, when 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. IN retiring from the business which he has carried on successfully for so many year?, the undersigned begs to return his sincere thanks to all those who have honored him with their patronage, and hopes that the same liberal support will be given to his successor (Mr B J Yates), whose long experience in the Grocery trade will enable him to give the fullest satisfaction to all who may become customers of his. THOMAS WATERS. HANDSOMELY BOUND BOOKS FOE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, AT E.WAY T E ' S AUCKLAND LIBRARY, 100, Queen street. A liberal discount to the trade and schools.