SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 7.13. HIGH WATER: This*afternoon, 7.0.

STEAMER FOR THE THAMES. Lady Bowen, 8 o'clock.

„ , ARRIVALS.

s.s., Doile, from Waitana. St. Mary, U.S. man-of-war, from Sydney via Fiji. Amateur, schooner, from Lyttelton Duke of Edinburgh, p.s., Farquhar, from Wangarei' Tauranga, schooner, Sellars, from Tauranga. Queen, schooner, from Bay of Islands. Argo, schooner, from Russell. Clyde, schooner, from Wangarei.

DEPARTURES.

p.s., Chrlsp, for Russell. Mary Ann Christina,lschooner, Pearson, for Sydney.

IMPORTS.

.rer Amateur, from Lyttelton :—ISC seeks wheat, order ; 2 cases, 4 bags, bacon, S. Jones ;10 casks, 9 cases biscuit, G. W. Binney ; 548 sacks wheat: Thorn ton, Smith and Firth ; 4 casks provisions, 10 cases bacon and ham, 5 barrels pork, 10 bags peas, G. W. Binney ; 9 cases hams and bacon, 100 sacks malt, 100 ditto, flour, 293 ditto wheat, 6 cases hams and bacon, order ;50 bags flour, 36 sacks sharps, G. W. Binney ; 100 sacks malt, J. H. Ward ; 240 bags oatmeal, 13 pgs bacon, 100 sacks wheat, 10 barrels ale, order ; S9 sacks wheat ; 481 sacks flour, G. W. Binney ; 100 sacks bar ley, 8 cases bacon, order ; 440 bags flour, 66 sacks ditto, 02 sacks barley, 80 ditto malt, G. W. Binney; 3 bales phormium, 1 case sundries, order ; 120 cheese, 15 casks flour, 16 sacks oatmeal, S. Jones.—G. W. Binney, agents.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydney and Melbourne: City of Adelaide, February 5 : Hero, February 16. For Honolulu : Nebraska, mail steamer, to-morrow morning. For Levuka : Julia Price, schooner, this day. Fo? Tahiti r Queen, schooner, shortly. For Samoa, via Tonga : Kenilworth, schooner, this day. For southern I'orts : Phcebe, s.s., Saturday; and Wellington, 5.;., on arrival of Nevada. For Napier and Wellington : Keera, s.s., 30th inst.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

<-._uy oi Ai.tiam.;, s.s., irom Sydney Napier, s.s., front Napier Ca&iiceus, ship irom London, sailed October IS Magellan Cloud, schooner, from Chatham Islands Naomi, ship, from London, sailed lGth November. lic.e Cameron, barque, from Sydney v ;.;,j Darling, schooner, from Melbourne •nsland, barque, from Newcastle ;ska, p.s.. from Sydney da, mail steamer, from Honolulu, due 30th inst,

;'he s.s. Go-ahead, Captain Doile, arrived in c Manukau this morning from Waitana, with a argxj of cattle and sheep.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Stab, Office, Thursday afternoon. Messrs. Tonics and Co. held to-day, at the auction rooms, an extensive sale of g.oceries, oilmen's stores, teas, &c. The attendance of the trade was good, and competition brisk.

MINING.

The following are the current calls and dividends payable in tho companies named below :—

Evening Star, Commercial Hotel, Shortland street, Auckland, 4 p.m. January 26 City of Boston, Grahamstown, January 26 Thames View, Mechanics', Auckland, at 3 p.m. Janu ary 30 Tiki, Coromandel, January 30

Sailor Prince, Company's office, Fort street, Aiick land, 4 p.m. January 30 Red, White, and Blue, Grahamstown, January 30 Lion, Grahamstown, January 30 Shotover No. 1, Mechanics' Institute, 11 a.m. January 30 ' Emily, Coromandel, January 31 American Eagle, Grahamstown, January 31 Golden Calf, Grahamstown, January 31 .Middle Star, Mechanics', Auckland, 2 p.m. January New Rakaia, Coromandel, February 2 Yon Tempsky, Coroinaridel, February 2 Nebraska, Grahamstown, February 5 Tenus, Coromandel, February 6 Evening Star, Queen's Ferry Hotel, Auckland, -2 ?■> m February 6 Bass Bock, Queen's Ferry Hotel, Auckland, 3.30 p.m. February 0 Hope of Coromandel, 10, Insurance Buildings, <£ p m February 7 Conquering Hero, 12, Insurance Building 3, Auckland, 4 p.m. February 8 Crown Prince, Queen's Ferry Hotel, -Auckland. February 8 - Little Wonder, Coromandel, February 8 Golden Phoenix, Grahamstown, February 9

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND-STREET.

Mails will Close as Undek For Thames, this-day, at 5.30 p.m.; and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Whananaki, per Blanche, this day, at 5 p.m. For Taranaki and Wanganui, per Go-ahead, to-morrow at 8.30 a.m. Per. p.g. Nebraska, to-morrow, 20th instant, as follow: For Sandwich Islands, British Columbia, United States of America, British, Central, and South America, British and Foreign West Indies, and Continent of Europe, via England, at 10.30 a.m. For United Kingdom, via San Francisco, at 10.30 a.m.; money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 0 a.m. Late letters for United States of America and United Kingdom, bearing a late fee of sixpence in addition to the postage, will be received at this office till 11a.m., arid by the Mail Agent • ' on board the steamer up to time of sailing1. For Kapanga, etc., per Koyal Alfred, to-morrow, at ' 11.30 a.m. . ! J'or Tauranga and Opotiki, per Tauranga, to-morrOW. I al 3 p.m. ' i For Napier, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago, per Phoebe, on Saturday, at 11 a. m. ■ '■ For Mahiirangi, Warkworth, and Matakana, etc', per iady Bo wen, on Saturday, at 11 a. in For Xauranga, Opotiki, Gisborne, and Napier per Keera, on Tuesday, at 1 p.m. i For Taranaki and the Southern provinces per Wellington, .immediately after the arrival of p.s. Nevada, from Honolulu. For Mongonui, perlvanhoe, on Monday, at 3 p.m. ' ' S. B. Bi.ss, Postmaster.

DEATHS.

JACKSON".—On the 25th January, Florence Gresley infant daughter of Lieutenant G-.E. Gresley Jackson' Royal Navy, aged 13i months.—English papers please copy. SPKINGALL.—On the 22nd of January, at the Pro vincial Hospital, George Knight Springall. aged 37 —Edinburgh papers please copy. DE VALLY.—On the 25th January, at Albert street, Augustine John, youngest son of Peter and Elizabeth De Vally, aged 1 year and 9 months The funeral will leave at 3 p.m. to-morrow

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

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1872.

As will be seen from another column, a public meeting is convened for this evening, bo be held opposite the Drill shed, in support of the eight hours' movement. As this movement is the same in principle as the " Early Closing Movement," which has been so kindly and favorably received by all the mer chants and business people, aud the community in general, we claim the public sympathy in behalf of the working men ; and we do not hesitate to say that the committe of the Early Closing Association should take an interest in the agitation. The mere fact of this movement being among the horny-handed sons of toil, should not dry up our kindly sympathies. "W"e have endeavoured to the utmost of our ability, to aid the Early Closing Asso ciation in their efforts to suppress "nigger driving" behind the counter, and we now call on the members and friends of the " Early Closing Associ ation " to aid, in behalf of the same cause, on our public works. The eight hours' movement, based, as it is, on scientific truth, has been prevailing, and must eventually prevail uni versally, among civilised people; and if our public works are characterised by local peculiarities of such a nature that they cannot be carried out with out doing violence to the laws of nature, it may be a question whether public works were ever intended for New Zealand. The inapplicability of "early closing" to our public works is a question of such a subtle nature that we abandon it in despair: But as it involves the struggle of the ad vancing enlightment of the age, with the passive inertness of old fogeyism, there is little doubt as to the manner of its ultimate solution. We do trust, however, that tho reason able request of the men will be oar>r>ef]ftfi. an A tha.fr fha iil*n*tffiit'Pn' '">^ of class antagonism. By the temper ate assertion of their claim, and even right, to this boon, the men will un questionably succeed in establishing the eight hour system ; but the sooner the matter is gracefully concedod the better for all concerned.

We are pleased to see that we do not stand alone in our support of the cause of the men at present on strike on the Waikato Eail way. In a spirited article on the subject, our con temporary the Thames Advertise?- gives equally "foolish advice " with ourselve3, and is guilty of" a similar "attack on Mr ferogden." Wo give the following extract from yesterday's leader in our Thames con temporary :—"lt is possible that we may Soon have strikes as common in New Zealand they are in England, if Mr. Brogden, or f}he Colonial Government, insists that all men employed on public works shall work for nine fyours each day. It is pretty clear that th ljntn will not agree to any such regulation and that public opinion will back them up. It would be a curious state of things if, when the hours of iabour are being abridged in England, wo should be lengthening them in 2Gew Zealand, and should contentedly submit t;o bo no better than working men at home, a condition we have been in the habit of saying and writing was little better than slavery. But what is more, the workmen will be backed up by the state of the labour market throughout the colonies.

We have- received a letter signed "A Citizen" complaining of the action of the Rega,tta Committee, and questioning the powor of the Harbour Board in excluding the • public from fho reserved space on the wharf on Regatta Day. The Board have the power; wo believe the exercise of that power will bo to the great satisfaction of thoae connected with the shipping at the wharf; it will bo to the comfort of tlie public, to the benefit of the fuids the of Eegatfca Club, and is, we think, in every sense the right thing. Wo would ask "A Citizen" to not put up hia back about what, at most, must be*regarded as a very slight interference with the " liberty of the subject."

Tii3 traotion enguieis to be employed on the Waikato Railway works. She was brought to town from Newmarket yesterday. On passing a baker's cart in Parnoll, the horse became frightened at the engine and backed over the edge of the road. The horse and cart turned a complete somersault down the embankment a;jd alighted on the lower road without any damage boing donei The Sharebroker's Act, 1871, will come into force in Auckland from the Ist February next. . * I

The Foreign Enlistment Act, 1870, is proclaimed to be in forue in the colony.

The Wellington Evening Post reports that new 3 has been received in Waikanao that an old Maori, named Pipi, has shot himself under rather peculiar circumstances. He wae ill with a kind of low fever, which has carried off many Maoris about Otaki aud the neighborhood ; and hearing that his malady was catching, he shot himself, in order to prevent ifc sproadiug among his people.

A new alluvial goldfield is reported on the East Coast, somewhere between Whangamatu and Mercury Bay, Several diggers have left Grahamstown for tho place. A report has also reached the Thames of further dis coveries of gold of a semi-alluvial nharacter fit Kennedy's Bny. The regular monthly meeting of i the Prince of Wales Lodge, 1838 E.C., will be held this evening.

Tencers for the right of charging for ad mission to tho end of Queen street Wharf on JKegatta Day can be sent on to the Secretary of the Club before 12 o'clook to-morrow. The Canterbury newspapers refused to report the proceedings of tho Volunteer encampment in consequence of sufficient accommodation not being provided for the reporters.—[Perfectly right, say we.—Ed. Stab.] The Wellington correspondent of the Hawke's Bay Herald says :—" Ike share holders of the Never Despair gold mining company are true to their name. They havo just entered into a contract for taking out of their mine forty tons of stuff, which is to be sent up to Auckland to be crushed. The idea is to get the most complete test possible of the value of the stone, before erecting expensive machinery. No one who has watched the test doubts the existence of payable gold in the claim, but before spendiug £7000 or £8000 in machinery, the directors wisely wish to make assurance doubly sure. Mr Walker, who came down to examine and report upon the mine, recommended this course to be taken, and has kindly offered to superintend the crushing. It has been calculated that the claim contains stuff sufficient to last for fifty years before it is worked out. Mr. Walker's opinion, from tests taken, is that the quantity is almost inexhaustablo. I am thus par" ticular as to what is being done by this company, as I understand several of jouy readers are shareholders.

As some of our correspondents hare com plained of delay iv the publication of their letters, we desire ta state that we uso every effort to give them iusortion, at aa early a date as possible. Our space is comparatively limited, and theae favors are exceedingly numerous. In as far as possiblo we give in sertion in the order of their arrival, but, exceptions must be made in cafes where a delay destroys the purpose of the letter. We notice that our correspondents generally observe our request, that all letters should be brief. We aro thus enabled to afford con« sidei-able ip&ce for the expression of individual and independent views. Wo trust that this featuro will be strictly observed in writing to the Stab. A long letter runs tho chance of waiting a long time before it is inserted, and when inserted is rarely if ever read. The narrow escape this morning of a wit nrs3 in the police court from the pain« and penalties imposed by law on those who aro dilatory in giving their attendance when ■£UJ£unni!£ii,_P.ujS,ht to act as a warning to care judicial teeth with impunity. It ought to be generally known that the Justices of tho Peace Act, 1866, gives power to magistrates to issue a warrant for the apprehension of any person failing to attend when subpoenaed, in which case they would be brought before the court in custody. There was a great fall in Beodell and Watson's mild ale this morning, and Queen street was drenched with a different kind of liquid from that usually spread upon it. A cart belonging to that firm was coming down Wellesley street, when the horse, a tetchy kind of half-broken animal, took it into hi B head to make a aeries of violent plunges, which resulted in capsizing the vehicle against the kerbstone at Normaa's cornor. Out of fivo barrels, two were started, and the contents flowed down the gutter. The driver was of course, violently ejected from hit command but sustained no severe damage j and th< horse, by a continuance of his exertions, contrived to jump clear of his harness. In a short time all was put right again, and no serious mischief appears (o have been caused except by tho loss of the extract of malt. The annual meeting of the Kuranui G-.M.C. was held this afternoon. The Direotors report was passed, and W. 0. Wilson and W. Weston, Esqs., appointed Directors for the ensuing year, in lieu of those retiring. The case of G-ow and another v. Eraser is still occupying tho attention of tho Supreme Court, without any immediate prospect o^ coming to a conclusion.

The City Council have accepted Mr. Sutton's tender at 7s. per foot for the sinking of a well in Lower Barrack street.

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY.

Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.

DRUNKENNESS

Fire persons, whom the police had seized upon while in a state of inebriety, were punished in the usual manner.

LAECENY

The adjourned case of Agnes Conlon v. Annie Stainson alias Emma Hannah Stainson, came on for hearing. Agnes Conlon depoaed that on the 9th instant she pawned a shawl for four shillings. Next day she gare defendant four dresses to take care of. After re ceiving the clothes back, she missed a pawn ticket, which she had left in one o her pockets. Defendant admitted having the ticket, but refused to return it. To defendant: You did not give mo threepence for it. L. H. .Neumegen deposed that, on the 9th instant prosecutrix pawned a shawl four shillings. Subsequently she re turned and gave information that she had lost the ticket. After that, he understood that defendant had produced the ticket in his shop, and applied for the shawl. From his own knowledge he could not state any thing. J' The case consequently broke down, and defendant was discharged with a severe

admonition, as it was found that she was an old offender, and had been convicted many times of drunkenness, obscene language, and other crimes of a similar character.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

THE CALEDONIAN.—MINE

MANAGKEE'S EEPOET,

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

" January 24, 10.10 a.m. "Took out seventeen pieces of quartz, containing gold, from bottom level, opposite No. 3 winze. Under cutting main run.

" S. E. EICHABDS."

Caledonian Improving.

Great Excitment.

Unicorn Trial Crushing.

(FROM OTJB OWK COERESPONDENT.)

G-EAUAMSTOWN, 3 p.m. CALEDONIAN.

A little gold has been found in the deep level, eighteen feet from Tookeys, in the hanging wall of the reef. There has been considerable excitement. The shares rose to £30, but are now easier. The crushing of specimens ia proceeding and the general stuff is looking well. There is an improve ment towards the Otago boundary whilst driving north, but gold is not visible. The reef is widening.

The Unicorn trial crushing realised 22 ozs. from 10 tons 4 cwt-

Bright Smile crushing of 100 tons resulted in a yield of 205 ozs.

THE SHARE MARKET.

J. M. IENNOI'S REPOB?.

There was considerable excitement in the slmreinarkef to«day. Caledonian shares ad vanced to £30, but afterwards receded. My sales comprise—Caledonians, £22, £30, £26 10b, £26; Thames, £7. Closing buyers- Caledonian, £26; Thames, £7. Sellers- Caledonians, £26 10s ; Themes, £7 10*.

SUTTONS' SODA WATER AND GIN GER BEER MANUFACTORY.

We havo lately paid a visit to Mr. C. Button's works in Eden Crescent for the manufacture of soda water, lemonade, gin ger-beer, and cordials. Mr. Sutton is certainly blessed with two of the best springs in Auckland from which water is constantly flowing, it has the advantage) -2.Lb^M.,gj_ggld_as ice. The premises are ground is made use of! Bottle-washinglf carried on on a large scale, the various soda water and lemonade machines occu pying separate buildings, are capable of bottling off from three to five hundred dozen daily. Mr: Sutton is also an ex tensive manufacturer of cordials, all of which appear to be of good quality and pure. This branch forms an extensive part of his business. There are five carts employed in the delivery of his various drinks, during this season of the year ; and his sales in town alone average over 2,000 dozen weekly, besides a large country trade. One of Mr. Sutton's wells contains 10,000 gallons of water, as clear as crystal, and is always overflowing. He never refuses anyone water who liko to come and ask for it.

THE VOLUNTEER CHRONICLE.

Cornet John May has teen gazetted a Lieutenant in the Auckland Troop, Eoyal Cavalry Volunteers. Ensign William G-rcer Harrison of No 3 Company A.E.B. is gazetted a Lieu tenant. The resignation of Lieutenant W. T. Snell, Auckland Troop, E.C.V. has been accepted. The Auckland Grammar School Cadets will assemble in uniform at the school to morrow morning at 10 o'clock. The annual iaspection will take place on the 2nd pros. The annual meeting of No 3 Company A.E.V. will bo held to-morrow in tho Drill Shed. The usual bi-weekly parade of No 5 Company A.E.V., will take place this evening at six o'clock. The annual inspection of No 5 Company A.E.V. will take place on Wednesday morning next at 5 o'clock in the Albert Barracks. Absentees are liable to a fine of £5. The whole of the Cadets will also parade for inspection at the same time and place.

Tho Auckland Eifle Association are still open to enrol members. Books ot rules and tickets of membership are obtainable from the Treasurer, Mr A G Millar, of Wyndham street.

The following members have been gazetted officers in tho Thames Volun teers ;—-Thomas Leitch Murray, Thames Scottish Volunteers, to be captain; George William Bazley, Thames Naval Volun teers, to be lieutenant; and Archer Charles Croft, ME C SE, to be honorary assistant surgeon in the same corps. The recruits of the Hobson Eifle Com pany were drilled last evening in the Albert Barracks, under command of Captain Burns.

The Engineers assembled in force at tho Albert Barracks last evening for drill, and were put through a variety of move ments by Captain Dargaville. They are improving in their drill.

Many of the Volunteers who hare been unsuccessful in making the number of points requisite to enable them to reach a higher class, saj that the clouds of dust ontheEifleEange, at times utterly pre vent them from seeing the target. It is of that impalpable kind which rises in clouds whenever trodden upon, and fills the eyes and nostrils of the riflemen. The range will certainly have to be grassed before next season, and something of the couch grass kind, which lies close to the ground would probably be the best,

It has been suggested that now the Volunteer Engineers have arrived at a state of efficiency as regards the ordinary drill of soldiers of the line, the time has arrived when it is desirable that they should be instructed in the higher branches of the profession of arms, and in such special duties as engineers are expected to carry out. The firing for the representatives at the Colonial prize firing, to be held at Christ church, took place yesterday at the range. The firing was anything but good. The regulations allow eight competitors to Auckland, but they must each have made the minimum scoro of 40 points. The result is that only one—Captain Morrow, A.E.V.—qualified himself by making a score of 40. The following is the score : —

THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

SEVERE GALES

(from our own correspondent.)

December 30, 1871. On Saturday, the 23rd inst., the islands were visited with the severest gale of wind that has perhaps ever been felt. In the morning it blew from the north-west, about noon it changed to south-west and continued to increase in violence until midnight. During the squalls it was enough to tear all before it; the crops have suffered more or less. The only damage done on shore was done to the boat-house on the beach, the doors were burst open and the whole building got a cant from a heavy sea rolling up into it, thereby wet ting a quantity of wool lying there ior ship ment ; it is now in course of repacking. The Magellan Cloud had a iiard time of it, she left Owenga for Pitts Island on the morning of the gale and was blown off. She put into Whangaroa on "Wednesday Isst in a sad plight, having lost three boats and slightly damaged her cargo. Mr Jones is very unfortunate in some of his trips, and it is to be very much re gretted, for he lias Jstuek manfully to the place through good and bad. January 3, 1872. Tho Magellan Cloud sails to-day with a full cargo of wool.

RAIN CLOUDS

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sic, —I have repeatedly noticed that the ordinary firing of salutes on public holli days, has had the effect of bringing down the rain, whenever the clouds have been near the earth. As the hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. are not always favorable for stimulating the clouds, I think that a few salvos from H.M.S. Blanche would have the dasired effect; if it had been tried last night, I believe we should have had a good shower of rain. I presume JJ TM 'a uLipa are not precluded from Yours, &c, Wide-awake.

RATE OF WAGES.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sib, —Impressed with the belief that the columns of your valuable, impartial, and independent journal are always open for the rectification of public or private wrong I venture to obtrude myselt on your notice for the purpose of soliciting your powerful advocacy in ameliorating the condition of a number of hard-working, industrious set of men at present, and for some considerable time employed in the department of works under the municipal authorities. You may probably be aware that these men some time since petitioned the Corporation for an increase of wages of one shilling per diem (the present rate being five) but up to this period no bene ficial result has accrued therefrom, al though I believe at the last sitting of the Board, the Foreman of Works was allowed a discretionary power in increasing the rate of wages as far as sixpenco. Now this obviously does not meet the prayer of the petitioners or the exigencies of the case, and it does seem an anomalous state of affairs, that whereas the men employed by the Colonial Government at the rail way works receive six shillirgs per day, these hard-working, industrious men who generally have largo families to maintain should only receive the minimum rate under the corporate regime. I therefore trust Mr. Editor, through the medium of your influence, the attention of the civic authorities may at their next meeting be drawn to the present case, that thoy will take it into their favourablo consideration that they will grant the prayer of the interested parties, that they will not be governed by any parsimonious spirit, but that they will give a fructifying evidence of their appreciation of the apothegm, " That the richest crown pearls in a nation, hang from labour's reeking brow." Apologising for my intrusion on your valuable space, I remain, &c. f

A Ratepayer OF City West.

STEEET NUISANCES.

To the Editor of the Evening Stae. Sir,—lt is quite possible that a limited amount of expectoration may be requisite in certain cages,—such as those of phthisis for instance; but why a lot of loafers standmg about the bar doors of pot houses and at the corners of the streets should indulge in the luxury, and eject their foul saliva on people passing by is past my comprehension. i, 7° ely seen sever*l cases where tne dresses of ladies have been subjected to the receipt of the foul deposit. In Yankee land, the practice has been re duced to a science ; but in this country people have not troubled themselves with practising on scientific principles, so as to make certain of hitting the spot they aim at. Consequently, the danger to those who are not continually on the watch to escape showers of this kind, is immense lnere is no earthly excuse for the habit. -b-ven heavy smokers are better without; and it is certainly to be hoped that the next code of bye-laws will find it in the I same catagory as throwing orange-peel and

other noxious matters on the pavement. This morning I saw a Maori perform the action in a more decent manner than I have seen in this town among most pakehas, for he went to the edg» of the pavement before committing the offensive act. Yours, &c, Anti-Hawkee.

To the Editor of the Evening Stae. Sir,—Your contemporary, the Cross, treats us to statistics respecting the average consumption of water in town, and informs us that, irrespective of what is wanted for sewerage and. cleansing, we are expected to consume thirty gallons per day for every man, woman, and child in the city. This is indeed an alarming indi cation of the progress of theories of the United Kingdom Alliance. No wonder that we hear of infant mortality, if every unit of humanity is accustomed to be soaked in 10,950 gallons of fresh_ water annually. Can you inform me if this average is correct. Yours, &c, Wateepeoof.

[We sympathise with the horror of our correspondent. However, he will not be com pelled to swallow the whole 120 quarts of water. Lot him stick to bottled beer. —Ed.

SUNDAY LIQUOR TRAFFIC

To the Editor of the Evening Stae. Sib, —On reading your report of Saturday last of the charge brought against Mr Trimble for having sold liquor on a Sun day, I could not help noticing the rather invidious omission by your reporter of that portion of the evidence tendered for the defence, in which it was sworn that there was no rum in the house on the day in question, a statement in flat contradiction to that of the witness, which was corrobo rated by the police. It certainly was a singular defence to set up, that of having no ruin on that particular day in question, and might well call forth the remark "that it was evident there was perjury com mitted on one side or the other," the which I will leave the public to infer. iSTow, sir, not one word of the nature of the above appears in your report, which I think is unfair to the police and unsatis tory to the public; who are in consequence unable to form an opinion. If reports are to be given at all they should be pro. and con., and not, as in the present case, show a decided leaning.

Yours, &c, Faib Plat.

[The omission arose simply from our being obliged to "cat down" our report for sake of space.—Ed. E. S.~]

EIGHT HOURS' MOVEMENT.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sic, —With your permission I wish to make a few remarks respecting the strike of the navvies on the Waikato railway. Although the facts of the case are well stated in your paper, yefc there are not •wanting those who would misrepresent the facts of the case. It is well known that the strike is not for a higher wage but for the regulation of time, for the eight We do not want overtime. We hold if a man works as he should through the hours of the day he will not want overtime. In fact 1 have never found the man yet who after having wrought hard and fast for eight hours to be willing to resume work again. If he did he could not do his duty, much less resume his work to the satisfaction of his master. I can say for a fact it is not the navvies who want overtime. I speak on good autho rity, being conversant with most of them. It was Mr. Brogden's own foreman that originated the making of over time to the plate-layer and his gang, and to them, and them alone, is the desire of making overtime due. If it is true, as the Herald states, that we cannot afford fco construct railways except by enforcing an extra hour into the day's labor, Mr Vogel had better stayed at home, and not have squandered the revenue of the country in fruitless negotiation of loans, and the name of Brogden had never been mooted in New Zealand as a railway contractor. As for the nine hour system, it is bad policy, come from where it may. Any sensible man knows that there is a limit to a man's vital energy. If he cannot do a day's work in eight hours, neither caii he in nine. Brogden and the Government must think we are a lot of machines, and so long as we can drink water and oatmeal, we can work any number of hours. I am, &c, One of the Men on Stbike.

POLYNESIAN SLAVE TRADE

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib,—ln lust Saturday's issue of the Southern Cross appeared a sensation letter from the Roy Mr Edger revealing the existence of slavery in our midst. I do not write to defend the question of labour trade, nor yet is it my intention f° ?™ er ™ ,any way u P°n the argument, but Mr Edger has got an idea into his nead so utterly averse to fact, that unless contradicted many might be led to believe that the hornet's nest, which only exists in nis imagination, is really buzzing about ourselves.

In the first placo, I would remark upon the general tenor and style of the letter with the impression that it tends to leave on the minds of those who are entirely strangers to the subject. J The letter is pithy, short, deep and sensational, and would give many the idea that the writer ls a philanthropic man to whom is due considerable praise for hav ing opened up, or I should say discovered such a momentous question as slave trade n our own and neighbouring waters, but cnmJrl ? ° ip • Ile is,veiy cauti°us not to com mi t himself in a few of his statements by saying "I believe" such and such to be toe me this proves his insincerity in the £tX b *>* t*in« the trouble to find out the real truth and actual facts before writing to the public as he has 1 wiU now answer the parts, first, he ■tatoß as a fact "thata vessel engaged in bour, fitted up with all the* requirements needed for that diabolical pipose and having on board a colored man who acts as a decoy to the natives," this I challenge lightened imagination fostered in this dry

clime of Auckland could produce such a stretch from fact.

Second, "He states that she proccedg, I believe, from here, on a kidnapping ex pedition." Here ho does not commit him self, so all I can reply to his belief is that it is an illusionary one. Then comes the slap at Auckland mer chants, let it bo borne in mind that it only refers to the "respectable" ones, there is nodanger itmay be supposed in the others, wherever they may be, on their entering on such a field of action. He calls " public opinion" and " conscience" to come down upon them and make them hesitate before they become agents for such vessels, or in any way aid or abet their undertaking." I am sure every respectable merchant will be fully prepared to be judged by public opinion and conscience in all their trans actions, no creating on the part of " we," is at all necessary to settle that point. Mr Edger closes up with a sweeping con« damnation on the population of the pro , vince of Auckland for their indifference in allowing the visits of such vessels, and most shocking of all, the actual existence of Polynesian slavery in our midst, as much as to say, beware, oh ye individuals in this town of Auckland who keep hired black servants, and feed, clothe, and in some cases instruct the same in order to receive in return that easy, light service they are capable of performing, combined lso with the satisfaction of causing a little interest and curiosity in the minds of their visitors : this in the eyes of Mr. Edger is a far more heinous crimo than paying a white servant girl from 63 to 10s per week, and taking it out of her by three or four times the amount of work that could or would be done by the so-called " Polyne sian slave." Let us congratulate ourselves that there is one man in the province of Auckland whose reputation and moral character is not seriously damaged by the existence of this Polynesian slavery, and we must buoy ourselves up with the hope that for the sake of this one and others (if Mr Edger thinks they are to be found) the balance of the population may be saved from such a stigma and disgrace. I am, &c, W. F. Wheeleb. January 22, 1872.

GALBRAITH V. THOMSON.

BILKING THE TOLL.

To the Editor of the Evening- Stae. Sic, — Ignorantia legis non excused. I was the defendant in the above case tried on Thursday last at the police court, and from my position was prevented from giving evidence. The maxim in equity above quoted, viz., " Ignorance of the law ex cuses not," may be a warning to others similarly situated. Wishing to reside on the New North Eoad side of Mount Eden toll gate, and the nature of my occupation compelling me to keep a horse, I injudi ciously made a verbal contract with Gal braith (i.e., the plaintiff) to allow me to pass and re-pass as often as I liked for Is 6d per week, which amount was paid weekly by me- After occupying my house for some time, the plaintiff in this case (the toll-keeper) thought to fix me to the regular toll of 3d per journey, which would more than double the amount of toll" CO "DB pard-by—mo. ■-—*Hria I considered an injustice, and as there were two public highways facing my house, I took advan tage of them. It was upon the ex parte statement of the plaintiff, viz., that I led my horse off one of these highways on to private land that a verdict was obtained and the fine of Is inflicted by the court. Now this contracting with a toll-keeper to accept less than his proper scale of charges, it appears, is quite a one-sided agreement, he having power to demand his tabulated scale at any time. This may be valuable information to many resident on the wrong side of any toll, particularly when the lessee is remarkable for unnecessarily per emptory and abusive behaviour. Had I made a contract with " Old Weller" in Pickwick, whose ambition in his old age as a retirement was to " keep a pike," and whose extreme civility recommended him to every one, it would have been a treat to pass through his toll in preference to a by-road ; and I recommend colonial toll keepers generally to become, as far as re gards civility and good humour, a reflex of old Weller. The result of this case clearly shows that any public highway may be used, although it should cut off the passage through a toll, and that the streets, until bars are put up, are highways dedicated to the public. I am, &c, W. A. Thomson. Mount Eden Terrace, New North Eoad. [We desire to make special apology for the delay that has attended the insertion of this letter.—Ed. E.S.]

BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.

A sheriff's jury was empannelled at the County Hall, Winchester, recently, before Mr Under-Sheriff Coxwell, to hear and determine the case Roberts v. Dunn, which was an action brought by Miss Liicy Roberts, of Basingstoke, Hamp shire, against the defendant, Alfred Dunn, of the same town, to recover damages by reason of his making default in marrying her. The plaintiff's case was conducted by Mr Lewis, and Mr Rolland, special pleader, of the northern circuit, appeared for defendant, whose absence was stated to be caused by illness. The facts of fcho case appeared to be as follows :—The plain tiff, who assisted her mother ia carrying on business as a milliner at Baskingstoke, was at some athletic sports held in that town on the Bth of September last year, and, being of prepossesing appearance, attracted the notice of defendant, a large tea-dealer, who followed her about, and a few days afterwards was introduced*, to her at her uncle's, when he proposed W engagement, and said he should likM'to marry her. He told her that he knew (of her engagement with Mr Taylor, of tike same locality, saying that he was "'a great radical, unworthy of her." She told him that she engaged to Taylor, and could not break off that engagement; bufc subsequently, when she met him, he re newed his proposals, and told her his pro fits in bnsiness amounted to £500 a year. The lady appears to have dallied, but saying^ "she would ne'er consent, con sented "to become his wife. Frequent visits followed, and some very amatory

THE EVENING STAE, THURSDAY JANUARY 25, 1872.

2



Pickwick .. ..003 Sailor Prince .. ..010 Abraham Lincoln .. 0 0 G English 0 0 C Tied Queen ., ..000 Coronet .. ..010 Sunbeam .. ..006 John Bull .. ..003 -Alburnia .. .. 0 13 6 West Coast 0 10 Shotover 0 2 0 Coromandel Harp .. 0 0 4 Highland Chief.. ..003 Ruby 0 0 3 Mary Ann 0 0 3 Golden Lion .. 0 0 C Bank of New Zealand ..000 Goldfinch .. ..002 Standard .. ..006 Brighton .••„<? nflm^,,,,

Due Jan 25 Jan 27 Jan 27 Jan 29 Jan 29 Jan 29 Jan 30 Jan 30 Jan 30 Feb 1 Feb 2 Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb 4 Feb 5 Feb 5 Feb 5 Feb 7 Feb 8



Name. McMasters .. _.. Morrow, Captain Putman, Private GleesoH Little Soal Johnston, Captain .. Coyle Smith

400yds. 32404 24442 33434 22432 32423 23242 44043 30432 33022

500yds. 20004 33303 23330 00434 23204 30300 04234 23343 34440

600yds. 03220 22332 20322 00300 00230 00330 03330 00200 03002

XI. 20 40 37 30 :;o 24 37 :»> 29



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To any one who will show a larger stock of Auck land-made Quartz, Greenstone, and Mosaic Jewellery within six months, I will give a rewardof fifty pounds I also challenge New Zealand for style and beauty Two thousand pound worth of Colonial-raade Jewellery always on ha nd.—F. H. Ljewisson. Qneen street -LAdvt.]