SHIPPING.

POET OB AUCKLAND

ARRIVALS.

„,.Xf.ra.i_ii.--, ...s., ___. .v-ieciß-, uum ±-u.ana--i anu Southern ports- Star of the South, s.s., Holmes, from the Thames. ■ Comerang, p.s., Chrisp, from Bay of Islands. Go-Ahead, s.s., S4 tons, P. Doile, from Taranald. j

IMPOSTS.

Per s.s. Taranfil.i, from Nelson :—1 bundle I trees, Wren ; 1 crate nlants, Wren ; 1 box ! stationery, Bank of New Zeala nd.-^-Combes j and Palely, agentt. '

ARRIVAL OF THE COMERANG.

'j. lie p.s. uomerang, yaptam unnsp, icit ttie : Bay of Islands yesterday, and arrived in liar bour early thi3 morning, with the following j cargo :— 80 tons coal, Company; 19 head cattle, 2 casks 1 allow, 4 bunrfles sheepskins,! 20 bundles hides, A. Bucklaud ; 2 tons gum, j S. J. Edmonds ; 2 tons gum, J. Barber ; 1 j safe, 1 ease, F.ilcholz. . Passengers :—Saloon : Mrs. Barstow, iWisa Wells, Miss Lilly, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Hisi.-p, Mr. G-ofie, Mrs. Williams, Mr. L. O'Brien and son, Mr. Cook, and four in the steerage.^ ■ ~ • ■ I

ARRIVAL OF THE TARANAKI.

AIIU X. .-__.__>._... :ju. a 3.3. J.-UUU.UU., -__.. Wheeler, Esq., commander, arrived off the Manukau Heads at daylight, crossed the bar at 9.30 a.m., and made fast alongside the One liiinga Wharf at 11.SO n.in. to-day. Sho re ports having left Lyttelton at 10.30 p.m. on the 17lh; arrived in Wellington at 3 p.m. on the 19th ; arrived at Nelson at 9 p.m. the same day; sailed at 9.20 a.m. on the 20th, and arrived as above, having experienced fine weather throughout the passage. Passengehs :—Dr. Bandwick, Master Seccombe, Capt. Johnson, Capt. Worsp, Mr. Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Messrs. Men delshon, Norton, Hares, Burton, J. Smith, Wat.s, Ooalsworth (2), Edmonds. We are indebted to Mr. Moss for late- files.

A barque, supposed to be the Australian, is signalled as we go to press. The s.B. Napier and Star of the South will leave for Napier, Poverty Bay on Thursday. The whaling barque Albion sailed from Russell yesterday for this port, with her origi nal cargo of oil.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening- Stae Office, Wednesday afternoon. Messrs. C. Arthur and Son sold at their mart, to-day :—Butter, fresh, 6d to 7d ; sait butterj 3d to 8d; cheese, o^d; bacon, 6£d ; sharpsj 6s 6d ; oatmeal, 2Jd ; potatoes, 3s 6d to 3s 9d; onions, Ifrl j apples, l£d to 2d ; pears, l§d. I Messrs. Samuel Cochrane and Son, sold at their rooms to-day, fine potatoes, £2155. to £2 16s:. per ton ; tins of soup and bouilli, sd. per lb.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE.

Mails will close as under :— For Thames, this day, at 4 p.m. and 5.30 p.m., I and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m., 4 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. "For Kapanga, &c, per Lalla Eookh, to to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. For Bussell, &c, per p.s. Duke of Edinburgh, to-morrow, at 11 a.m. For. Gisborrie and Napier, per Napier, to morrow, at' 1 p.m. Late letteis and tele grams for transmission from from the Napier station will be received at this office till 1.30 p.m. For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Taranaki, immediately after the arrival of the p.s. Nevada from Honolulu. For Napier and the Southern Provinces, and Chatham. Islands via Lyttelton, per p.s. ■'7 Nevada, six hours after her arrival from Honolulu. For" Fiji, per Flirt, on Saturday, 24th inst., at 10 a.m. .

Post-offices have heen opened at Te Hana, Albiertland, and afc Ohaupo, Waikato. S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

Carle.—Keej> -On the 20th June, at the Eev £_£°Fies residence, Papakuva, J. Harvey Carle of Victoria, to Elizabeth Ann Reed eldest d.ligh ter of Mr. N. Eeed, of Papakura. ' ' 3 g

The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1871.

. xr a™ Zealand Insurance Company is an institution the interest in which is more ex tended than the limits of the list of share holder. As a local institution, it is difficult to, avoid feeling a kindly inter^t in it fe'^ Whale the imag nificent building erected by the Company in Queen-st.eet, the most orn„ Wn t ft HuMn g iuthecity,^rtlW

stitution in a tangible ami attractive way to the eyes of citizens. Wo feel confident, therefore, that the highly satisfactory report of the last half-year's operations 'to-day pre sented fco tlie directors, and published by us in another column, will bo perused with no ordinal*}' interest.

A meeting of the Harbour Board was held this afternoon, but as our reporter was not admitted, we are unable to give a report of the proceedings.

We are informed that the conductor of our evening contemporary has been annoyed by our advertising for a sub-editor of multifa rious duties and a shipping reporter of equally varied functions and restricted screw. This was part of our intention perhaps. But it is currently rnmoured*throush the city that our notice is likely to do personal injury, and be ing supposed to emanate from the office of our contemporary will.be visited on the heads of members of our contemporary's staff. This was not embraced in our intentions, and we give the distinct assurance that no person connected with, our contemporavy either wrote or inspired or was in any shape aware of the advertisement. That our contempo rary gives starvation wages to his hands, does not require being told us from his oQlce, for it is town talk. And it was because the whole town knows it that we advertised for literary help at our contemporary's scale.

Wo believe wo are warranted in saying that an entertainment of rare exccdlence and attractiveness will be given at the City Hall on Friday evening i ext. We are not per mitted to mention the names of those gentle men who are to assist. Suffice to say that several of our most prominent citizens are to take part—gentlemen whose names, if we were permitted to mention them, would of them selves attract a crowd, if for nothing else through curiosity to see how they deport themselves in mimic life. We are" credibly informed that all are well up in their parts, and that the representation, which will be dramatic, with a large clement of vocal and instrumental music, will be of the mo3t effec tive and interesting kind. The object is sacred, being in connection with the erection of a church in the Waikato ; and the enter tainment, being under the patronage iv the presence of Lady Bowen and the vice-regal party, will, we do not doubt, be one of the most successful seen for some time in Auck land.

It has been repeatedly urged that the scrip market should be removed to tho covered area within the New Zealand Insurance Company's buildings. There is a tendency also on the part of scrip dealers to betake themselves thither, but if an absurd regulation issued by those in charge of the building is insisted on, the tendency will be nipped in the bud. Tho order simply is that smokers must swallow their spittle. Now, on hygienic principles, we objest to this, and in behalf of scrip we pro test. Whatever may be said on the great tobacco question, it is admitted on all hands that the absorption of nicotine, if salira is swallowed during the process of smoking, is simply poison. Why should we poison °our dealers in scrip? It is bad enough for Mr. Asher to "suppress tho nuisance" of their presence in. the public streets ; but we main tain by all the rules of fair play, and all tho principles of civil liberty, that they have a right to spit.

Through the courtesy of the printers we have been favoured with a copy of the now " Catalogue of the Library, and the Laws and By-laws of the Auckland Mechanics' Insti tute." It is customary for such works to be submitted to press criticism, but it m;iy bo presumed that it is because of our having exposed tbe job that was intended in connec tion with this catalogue that the usual course has been abandoned. The volume has boon very neatly got up by Messrs. Jones and Tombs, and is a highly creditable piece of workmanship. We feel a species of pride in the result, knowing what a "botch" would have resulted had we not rescued the cata logue from the little private arrangements intended. In this, and in saving "the chemical apparatus from the little sub rosu sale, we claim the gratitude of the members of the Mechanics' Institute.

There was an oxcellent attendanco at the Newton Academy, in Karangahape Road, last night, an entertainment being given in aid of the funds of the Homo for Destitute and Neglected Children. Aseries of dissolving views, embracing scenes from the Holy Land, and other pictures of ah instructive and amusing kind, of forded much enjoyment to those in attend ance, and the funds of this most deserving in stitution will be benefited to a considerable amount.

Through the kindness of the directors of the Caledonian claim I have been enabled to pur chase a large piece of quartz, which I will at once proceed to cut up into slices. Anyone wishing to have a momento of the Thames will do well to give E. H. Lewissokt an early visit. —Advt.]

The San Francisco News Letter, alluding to the threatened raid of American filibusters on these colonies, says :—" Our filibusters have enough to do on the Mexican coast without crossing over to steal colonial mutton."

The Otago Daily Times, of June 12, says: —The ship Helenelee, belonging to Messrs. Patrick Henderson and Co.'s line of Clyde packets, now lying at Port Chalmers, has been sold to a Canterbury firm. The price has not transpired. The ship will load for home, taking part cargo only from bore, and the remainder from Lyttelton, where, we un derstand, she will receive a new mainmast.

Captain Kennedy received a tangible re cognition of the appreciation in which he is held by the merchants of Dunedin. and others in the various Northern ports, from the hands of Captain Wheeler, of the e.g. Taranaki, amounting to upwards of 100 sovereigns, with a view of liquidating any expense incurred by Captain Kennedy while out of harness, after losing his late vessel, the favourite old Airedale. This of itself speaks highly of the confidence placed in Captain Kennedy as a coastal steamship muster.— Otago Times, June 8.

Skyiaeks poe Auckland.—Captain Whee ler, Tvho leaves Nelson this morning for the Manukau direct, takes with him twelve skY larks in fine condition for the Acclimatization WhVf 1- ThiS F- fch6 *><X»d to tXil k*? a? 8 th^ fc, Mr- has sent to Auckland, for which Mr. Huddleston is to receive rooks and starlings to bo turned out at Nelson— Nelson Colonist.

ARRIVAL OF THE 'TARANAKI.'

LATEST SOUTHERN NEWS.

Thb s.s. Taranaki arrived this morning, bring ing later Southern news. We compile the following from papers received :—

DUNEDIN.

I June 15.—Advices from China, by mail, to day, state that 2000 Chiuasc will leave for I Ot go this year.

WELLINGTON.

June 17.—Mr. Fitzhcrbert, on consulting his friends, decided to retain the Superinten dency of Wellington, and has refused a seat in the Cabinet, but promises tho Government his cordial support.—Tho Provincial Govern ment yesterday carried their- Highways Bill by a majority of one. No other bill has been made a Government measure, and tho Execu tive are supposed to be safe.

CHRISTCHURCH.

June 16.—Commercial. —Wheat is quoted at 5s id to 5s 6d ; flour, £11. to £15 ; Tarta rian oats, 2s to 2s lid ; potatoes, 2s 3d to 2s 3kl ; no-quotations in barley ; butter, Gjd to 6Jd for pickled samples ; cheese, neglected at 4d to 41d ; hams ana bacon, 8d to 8/1.

GREYMOUTH.

June 16.— A large meeting of miners was held on the South Beach last night to raise funds for the relief of the Irish political prisoners now in Christchuroh. A committee was appointed to canvass all the districts, and a large amount has already been subscribed. General sympathy is expressed throughout the district.

HOKITIKA.

June 16.—Oats in large parcels are quoted at 3s. to 3s. 3d. Other quotations are un altered.

GREYTOWN.

June 17, 11.3 p.m.—As Bannister's dray was crossing the bridge at the foot of the Kimutaka, yesterday afternoon, the bridge broke. The dray, horses, and driver (Cave) all went down. Two horses were killed, and ono injured. The driver escaped ; there was a tremendous smash.

LATEST AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

[Pi_r. Gi.evili.e's Telegram Cojrr.vxv, Reuters AOE.VTS.I

UNKNOWN.

June 19, 11 a.m.—The Kangitoto arrived at 4 p.m. yesterday, and was tendered at mid night. She left Melbourne on the afternoon of the 14th.

MELBOURNE.

June 13.—An action for breach of promise of marriage, brought by a man named Wilt shire against Occlcsiou and wife, termiuatcd in a verdict for the defendants.—At a meeting of the friends of Captain Walker, great opposi tion was offered to the proposedproperty-tax.— Amian named Dixon was arrested on board the Gothenburg at the Heads, charged with desertion.—Myles has been committed for tr.al for tho murder of his brothsr by striking him on the head with a hammer.—Soma of tho passengers and crow of tho Somersetshire still remain at tho Sanitary Station on account of their refusal to submit to re-vaccination. — The Bendigo district is proving extraordinarily productive and progressive.—The Carl sailed for Fiji with a number of passengers, horses, and boats. —An earthquako shock has been felt at Beechworth, Albury. — Markets generally firmer; tobacco slightly advanced.—Chief Justice Stowell has been granted twelve months' leave of absence on account of ill health. Barry fills the vacancy. —The Sydney Permissive Bill has lapsed. Parliament will probably be prorogued this week.—The Press is advocating the San Francisco mail route.—ln breadstuff's the market is hardening, in consequence of a re port of the failure of crops in California.—lt is reported that Earl Belmore in to obtain the Governorship of the Madras Presidency.— The Nebraska attracted much attention, and was visited by the Governor, members of Parliament, the Corporation, and thousand of citizens.— Tho schooner Calendar wa wrecked at Richmond Biver Heads.—John Fairfax has founded two prizes for female members of the University.

ADELAIDE.

Extensive sales of wheat. 11,000 bushels realised 6s. Id.; 25,000 ditto, 6s. Sugars exhibit a slight decline. — There is n_. further news from the Northern Terri tory as expected by the mail.—Parlia ment meets_ on the 28th. — There have been fino rains, and weather favourable for agricultural purposes.—There have been five malt-houses burned down, the property of Howson and Cattolove, brewers ; stock saved. —The Hobarton deputation, consisting of two bishops, the mayor, and others, interviewed the Colonial Secretary. They complained of the excessive number of public-houses. . Tho Government promised to consider the matter.

BUEGXAUY ON THE NELSON SOUTH-WEST Goldeielbs.—lnformation reached the police at Half-Ounce, on the morning of Tuesday, the 13th, that the store of Mr. James Magof fin, at tho Upper Township, hud been bur glariously entered during .tho previous night, and cash to the amount of about i29o°ab stracted. At about the same time the intel ligence was brought to the Police Camp at the place that a sawyer, named Koche, a foreigner, had been robbed of his purse, which.contained, according to his statement, a deposit on the London Chartered' Bank, Melbourne, for £2700, together with nume rous promissory notes and 1.0.U5. He also says lie lost a silver, 'hunting watch, with massive gold albort guards and'appendages. The matter is in the hands of the police, who are making every enquiry into it.— Greg River Argus.

SUPREME COURT.—CIVIL SITTINGS.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21. J

[Before His Honor Sir G. 7k. Arney, Knight, Chief Justice, and a Special Jury.] '.:

His Honor took his seat on the bench at ten o'clock.

Fernandez t. Cuosbie. — Tee Hazel bank Gold Mine. —Mr. Bees, Mr. Joy, and Mr. Bennett for the plaintiff.—Mr. Whitaker, Mr. Hesketh, and Mr. Richmond for the de fendants.—This was an action to try the title to the ground known as the Hazelbank Gold Mine. The ground was stated to be of great speculative value. The action was brought by the plaintiff on behalf of himself-and the' other shareholders in thq Hazelbank Gold Mining Company, to establish their.right and, title to the land, to recover possession, and to restrain the defendants from doing acts upon the ground calculated to injure thfc property. From the statement of .plaintiff's counsel "it appeared that the united shareholders of the original. Hazelbank and Little Gem claims— Messrs. Griffiths, Nancarrow, Fernandez, Stewart, Walker, Crosbio (James and John), Ferguson, Spray, Clark, Boddington, Fischer j Maci'arlane, Ledger, Browning,; Owen, Stich bury, and others'—-resolvcll to amalgamate their interests, and Jo work the ground com' prised within the limits of the above two claims under a comp my, to be called '' The Hazelbank Gold Mining Company." The for mal preliminaries having "bean complied with, Crosbie (John) was appointed mining manager. During the month of October, 1870, Orosbie was instructed to apply for a 1. •;o on behalf of the company. But aceoi .ing to the allegation of the declaration, Cros'/e applied for the lease not on behalf of the company, but on his own behalf. The lease was granted to Crosbie in hin own name, and in v.rtite thereof, he now claims to hold the ground. It appeared, however, that iv the meantime Crosbie assigns his interest to a Mr. Humphrey Stevenson, who holds as trustee for the real defendants, Messrs. Black, George Bitchie (deceased), and another. The declaration set out that Crosbie, being in the employment of the company, who instructed him to apply for the lease of the joint property on* their behalf, had obtained it by fraud. "But in the course of time the company is wound up, and the shareholders are informed that they are liable as contributors to liquidate the debts; Crosbie clailned the ground as his. : The ground in question ha 3 risen to great value, and it was statrd that one of the most successful companies on the Thames goldfield had offered £20,000 for the ground. This being the case, it may well be conceived that the property is worth the contest. For the defence it was contended by the defendant that lie was not a servant of the company when he applied for the lease, and did not apply for the lease on their behalf. The issues left for the jury to try were (1) Was the de fendant discharged from the service of the company on the (Jth of July, 1870 ? (2.) Was he, in the month of October, working man ager of the Hazelbank Gold Mining Com pany ? (3.) Had he at that date certain rights and interests in the said mine ? $4s) Was ho instructed by the directors of, the Hazelbank Gold Mining Company to apply for a lease of the ground, &c. ?—John Crosbie called and examined by Mr. Bees, deposed that he was one of tho shareholders in the Hazelbank claim. Ho applied for the lease under miners' rights; there were eight alto gether. Tho names of the miners' right hold ers were John Black, James McAuliffe, Stewart Macgregor, Dimsmuro (manager of the Whau Gold Mining Company), and George Turr. Witness held 600 scrip or shares in the Hazelbank Company, but tho company had been wound up. lie did not now claim, through the company, on account of these scrip. He claimed under the lease applied for and obtained under nainei.' rights. The; parties named came into possession of the ground on tho 4th of October. '.Jie ground had been abandoned by the company. Knew it was abandoned, because the company did not take it up when their protection .expired. The 4th October was' Tuesday./. A man' named Thompson pegged out the ground! Witness and party had; been " shepherding* the ground upon the Monday.' There was a man in possession for a few hours the Satur day previous. The naino of Spray did not remain. Witness had sold Spray his original interest in tho Hazelbank claim. Went to Spray, and asked him if ho would have a share in the fresh pegging out. He said he had paid enough money into the Hazelbank Com pany,' and would not pay any moro—tlialf lie was going to Melbourne or Sydney.* The Warden would not at that time frrant orders to possess abandoned ground. Witness him self applied fer a piece similar, and was re fused, but did not apply for this. There were eight in the party altogether, for whom witness took up on the 4th of October, namely, Michael Brett, G. Bitchie, J. Black, Dimsmure, McAuliffe, Stevon, and Smith. On the 10th some difference appeared in the names, hut that was caused by Spray's re fusing to take up. Anybody might have had a share when the ground was taken. Witness was simply looking after his own' intorest. Stevenson was a director of the company. Ho was agent for Smith. Stevenson said ho did not think the company would take up the ground again. Smith was in England. Steven son was agent for Smith, and instructed wit ness for Stevenson.—Mr. Whitaker objected to tho line of examination. The plaintiff's case wa3 that Coosbie and the other persons who are mentioned were agents of the Hazel bank Company. That ho applied for the lease On behalf of the Company. That he acted under instructions. The line of ex amination followed by hia learned friend • was altogether beside tho question. A company must act by directors, and through some or ganisation indicated by rules, act as a body— in fact, have a unity. What one person might say, what .one person might do, could not [be said to be an act of the company, unless it was shown-to. be the act of the company.— Mr.. : Bees said the persons put in were mere dummies..1 The real' intorest was in Crosbie and Stevenson. Tho names Lad been shuffled about to enable Crosbie to get the lease. There was Mr.''Stevenson, a director of the company, authorising. Orosbie, merely think* ing . that tlje company would not take the ground.—Witness : Stevenson authorised me to look after Smith's .interests <: Hid not"'know whether '-Smith/was a di rector then. He was in ..England... Ho had been a director of the company.' — Mr. Bees : You say that Stevenson instructed you to look after .Smith's1 interest ?-—Witness : Ye 3, to put on a man for Smith.—Mr.

Whitaker objected to the answer being admitted. The issue was, simply, " Was the • defendant instructed by the di rectors to apply for a lease ?" The ques tion 'was, did he receive instructions from Mr. Smith or Mr. Smith's agent. There -i&ust be some official act of the compiuy to connect the company with these instructions. The proceedings tak'en in this behalf by an individual shareholder, or an individual director, amounted to nothing 7 towards answering the issue. We ought first to getat the constitution of the company, so as to show the mode in which they can legally-act. —His Honor .That is precisely- what I have looking. - _/;;• '" ■- j '&,'

POLICE COURT.—Tuesday. [Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., Resident Magistrate]

Drunkenness.—W. B. Caulaon and M. Gleoson wore fined 10s. each, with costs, for this offence, with,the usual alternative.

JjA_.ci.ny.—J.- Keane, on remand, was Drought up on a charge with having, on the 13th of June, stolen from the shop of John Connelly, in Sjmo.ids-street, 38lbs. bacon, valued 80s. No further evidence was adduced, and the prisoner Was sentenced to three moiiths' imprisonment/with hard labour.

TEE SHARE MARKET.

i Mr. Saunders reports sales to-day :— hioanatairi, £3 17s. to £3 18s. ; Cale donian, £210; Thames, £42; Central Italy, 375. 6d. to. 38s.', Moanatairi, ivayers at £8 17s. ; Una, buyers at 20s.j

| Mr. J. Tonson Garlick reports having sold to-day : Caledonian, £210 ; Tookey, £37 to £38 ; Thames, £41 to £41 10s ; Golden Calf, 43s 6cl; Otago, £4 15s; Central Italy, 37s 6d ; Middle Star, new issue, 20s. I Mr. J. Newman reports —The demand for shares to-day is nearly confined to Caledonian, Thames, and Tookey. All are selling at advanced rates. I have sold Caledonian, £209 to £212; Thames, £41 ; Otago, £4 10s ; Red Queen, IDs.

I. Phillips reports—Thames, £41 15s ; Otago, £t 15s ; lied Queen, 10s and lis ; Just-in-Time, 4s; Lowland Lass, 16s 6d.

i Mr. Vicfcers reports sales as follow:— Caledonian, £209 to £210; Thames, £41 to £42 ; Central Italy, £4 7s 6d ; Tookey, £40.

THE FIRE AT DUNEDIN.

[Fi?.OM; the " Otago Daii/y Times," June 13.] At half-past two o'clock this morning the fire bell rang out loudly, its vehement tones plainly indicating that a fire of some magni tude had been observed by the watchman. Those who immediately started for the spot noticed flames ascending from the houses on the west side of the Cutting, and it was seen that they arose from the City Buffet Hotel, and Miss Cane's '.. Labor .Registry, Office. Frightened women and ch/'nuren, roused from their slumbers, rushed out of the blazing houses for refuge ; and the policemen on duty burst open the doors of the hotel,-succeeding in getting a woman" and'child out just as the flames burst forth from the front of the building. Only six minutes after the alarm was given the brigade with their appliances were on the spot, but three minutes elapsed before they were brought to bear, part of the delay being caused by a search for the fire-plug, and part by the endeavours of a blockhead of a cabman to drive past.l The fiamea now. en veloped botli houses, and the heat even on the other side of the road was almost unbear able. The moment the water began to play, however, the flames disappeared as if by magic, and dense volumes of smoke burst forth. Just at this moment a slight breeze sprung up, the flames gained fresh strength, and it seemed as if all i tne houses as far as Messrs. Dunning Brothers' shop must 'go. ' The fire men bravely stuck to their work, however, and a jet being brought to bear on the fire from behind, it was again checked. This alternate struggle for the mastery continued for about an hour, beyond which time wo were unable to delay publication ; but at that time tho fire, though still struggling and occasion ally breaking out, was in a fair way to be ex tinguished. We have not heard how it originated, nor the probable amount of dam age, but these particulars we shall doubtless be able to supply in our next issue.

INQUEST.

THIS DAY

Aw inquest was held to-day, at two o'clock, at the Prince Arthur Hotel, by Dr. Philson, Coroner, and a respectable jury, on the body of Charlotte Meyrick, a resident in Nelson street, who died suddenly on Monday night. As wo went to press, evidence was being taken to the effect .thai the deceased had'been at work during the day, and though she had been ailing, showed no symptoms of approach ing death. Her little daughter, who slept with her, on awaking during the night, dis covered that Mrs. Mejrick was dead. \VJc have no doubt that the verdict will be one of death from natural causes.. , • .... .. s -

One objection often urged to the present San Francisco mail contract was that the ocean-going steamers, by coasting down- Now Zealand, would be damaging the trade of the local steamers. The truth of this objection,;is made evident by the liiying up of the s.s. Phoebe, winch is now lying icllo alongside the wharf. On tho arrival of the! Nevada, last time, :ife Auckland, the Pha.be was there to moot her, and under cou tract to bring down tho mails. Both steamers left Auckland for Southern ports, but the Nevada carried all the passengers from Auckland for here and South, leaving the Placebo empty. Tho same occurred on the return trip from Port Chalmers. The result was that a considerable amount of passage money which would .have circulated again in j^ew Zealand, .was. tajdn by t ; the American "boat, "and "thus the "Colony was drained use lessly of so much money, and local enterprise sudibrjßd.accordingly., Wo understand that tho' Pho.be will bo taken on to' Sydney, with a view to her disposal. We shall- be sorry to see that, roost,, pleasant and comfortable of steamers leave our shores/ and those who travel much about tho New Zealand coast will not be easily ;roconci|cd'to her departure.— Wellington Post.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

THIS DAT.

THE CALEDONIAN-SPECIMEN CRUSEING— ONE THOUSAND OUNCES BANKED.

SPECIMENS FROM DAUNTLESS AND SINK TO RISE.

ALBUBNIA CRUSHING

NORTH DEVON—SPECIMENS!

3.5 p.m. The "Caledonian have taken'" ou?** another 6 cvvt. of specimens this morn ing, and have lodged 1000 ozs. from the first cleaning up of specimens siiice last night.

[Work's trib uters on Tookey's have crWied sixteen tons, which realised twenty-four ounces.

The Dauntless and Sink-to-Rise hare taken out some good specimens this morning.

.The Alburnia is looking better, f Tie North Devon have taken out specimens this morning. .. :; ..,•;•

THE CALEDONIAN. - EXTRA. ORDINARY RICH SPECIMENS FROM BOTH REEFS.

[EOM ANOTHER COBRESPOtf-DENT.]

Earlt this morning about'lo to 11 cwt. of very rich specimens were taken out from the reel going towards the OtagOj and since then an. immense body cf gold has been uncovered in a direct line for Tookey. The mine never looked so well. I anticipate that tie dividend next week will be about d.20.

NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING.

The half-r early meeting of the New Zealand* Insurance Company was held at the new office at 2 o'clock to-day, when the following report was read aid adopted:— - - '- 7'". "Twenty-jrst report of the , directors of the;' New Jfealand Insurance Cohipahy ' fdi" the hall-year ending May 31, 1871,' pre-'1 Bentedalthe general meeting of shareholders, held at lie company's offices on Wednesday, 7rune2i;iß7L _/ " It is agiin the pleasure of the _ir«c.o_s to meet the shareholders with a statement of the company's affairs, embodying resultß which cannot fail |o be satisfactory.

" After plying all claims, making due pro vision for madjusted losses, and adding £5 per share to the paid-up capital, the tiet profit for the hal-year amounts to £7,936 10s ;Tfii available fo; division. Out of this amount the directors have applied the Bum of £3,750 as a dividend of £1 10s per share for the half year, the bdauce of £4,186 10s Id will be carried forward to tho next half-year. " The dire, tors hjive to congratulate the shareholders \n the completion of the hand some building in which they are now as sembled for ihe first time. The rental of the offices willyield a good return for the cabltal expended in is erection. ...',"': "The divicbnd will be payable at the head office on the -2nd instant, and at the branches on the receipt of advice. .i ~ . . " For the JEbard of Directors. ,(Q 7 "Sasiubi; Bbowning, • i .. . "Deputy-Chairman. '

"Statement of Accounts for the Half year ending May 31, 1871. "profit and loss.

ur. ..,,: s> s. a. To dividend lajfc half-year, ....;. 3,125 0 0 „ Fire and marine losses ... 19 620 10 1 „ Commissioi, expenses, &c. 5,795 18 10 „ Appropriation for unpaid ~' losses .j. ... ... 12,095 0 0 „ Addition td capital of £5 77 per share ... ... 12,500 0 0 „ Balance ... " ... <■ 7..7 7,936 10 0

£61,072 19 1 Or.' •:.-''./ <"■■ £■, sVd. By balance from laat half-year 11,875 15 ' 2 „ Fire and marine premiums 35,342 11 10 „ Interest, rent, transfer fees, ". .' &c. ... ' .... - ... • 4^447 4 7 „ Appropriation for unpaid •V' losses last half-yoar ... . -9,000—0 0 „ Bad debts recovered - j..,'7 5 7 5 „ Profit on stock sold 7. A 402 0 0

■:,.:",...■ '. "7;.;'-''■' iTy.':'^l^2 i9 ° "BAIAtfCE-SHEET. .. " - . ■ . Cr: ' i 7'.7'7.y 7*-; '■* jg. ■ s. d To Capital ... ...vf>n... 75,000 0 0 „ Besarfefiuid ... ... -25,000~"0 0 „ 80-insurance fund ', v ,'..' 10.000 0 0 „ ■Losses sustained, not paid '12,095 0 0 ■„• Due branches ... ...... 134 16 2 ~ Profit and loss ... ft .& 7,936 10 1

£ 130,216 6 3 i ' .Cr. 7 V ,77:7'- By investments .7 ,'." v-" 108,675 W 9 „ Eire and marine premiums V 4 .;,' and interest due '* (Jf.^BflWM 6 „ Furniture, tire engines, &c. (jf)9 plO „ Cash in Bank of New Zea land 10,900 14 7 „ Branches owing ... ... 6,695 8.7

£130,216 6 3 " The auditors have examined the books and accounts of the. company for the half-year ended 31st May, and have to:report that the balance-sheet, now presented to "the share holders is a full aui fair b.il-irtcd-shee| and exhibits a true and correct a.ateineiit 'Of the affairs of the company. , l; ■ 7 ;, "aEOßGEE_^SEn,V Audifcorg . »H.N.WiENEB, jfr " Auckland, June 20, 1871."

THE ETTOTING STAR

I June 21, 1871.



Urn .:_..., :: 77. TO-MORROW, J.MJ. Iky ■■•j H jj ßgDA y f j DNE 23> MTi : ■-;.- .•.,..-« .■-..-. ibOAfum. _L.Si__.-i. ''' ; ■ ÜBKESEKTEI) SALE •I'fia-.-rM f.«Jif:,;{ ;■; ,V-i . . B* «"*» ': 'f A:U 0T I ON. bkM ■■ ; „. ' mO-MOEROW (Thursday), June 22, at 11.15 a.m., at the Stores of Mr. Ch_._ii.es Oavis, ••' Queen -street, who is retiring from business. L. D. NATHAN & CO., ■',"■ '«'ii Auctioneers. T?OE SALE—B* ACSES, 3 Acres J. of good yielding Orchard, with Two roomed House, on the Manukau. Pri.e, £30.—Apply to George Sibbin, Auctioneer, Land and Commission