SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 7.3. HIGH WATER : This evening, 6.G p.m,

STEAMER FOR THE THAMES.

Enterprise No. 2, 9 o'clock this evening.

ARRIVALS.

Kevada, mail steamer, Bletlien, from Honolulu. Charybdis, schooner, from Russell. Ivaniioe, schooner, from Mongonui. Dauntless, schooner, Mceller, from Tauranga.

DEPARTURES.

Tauranga, schooner, Sellars, for Tauranga, Merlin, schooner, for Kaipaia.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydney and Melbourre: City of Adelaide, this afternoon ; Hero, about the loth inst. For Tahiti: Queen, schooner, early. For Southern Ports : Phcebe, s.s., 10th inst. For Napier and Wellington : Nevada, to-morrow, at 12. For Sydney: Amateur, schooner, early; Alice Cameron,

to-morrow. For Hokianga: Herald, schooner, to-day. For Kaipara : Aurora, to-day, For Bay of Islands : Comerang, this afternoon. For Wanganui: Wanganui, to-morrow. For Tauranga : Dauntless, schooner, to-morrrow. Fo. London : Caduceus, ship, early. For Napier: Star of the South, s.s., 9th instant.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Magellan Cloud, schooner, from Chatham Islands Naomi, ship, from London, sailed 16th November Macquarie, schooner; from Melbourne Rita, brig, from Melbourne. Albion, s.s., from Melbourne and Southern ports

The Decotah, a sister vessel to the Nevada, and Nebraska of the "Webb Line, having been completely overhauled and refitted, is reported as having left New York to take her place on the Australian route. She is well known as a splendid vessel, and is understood that as soon as she can be brought to the Pacific the steamers will run through from San Francesco to all the leading ports of the Hawaiian Islands, New Zea land, and Australia without requiring a second steam boat as at the present time to connect at Honolulu.— News of the World.

COMMERCIAL.

MINING. The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below : — CALLS Standard .. .. 0 0 C Feb 7 Brighton 0 2 6 Feb 8 Scandinavian .. .. 0 0 G Feb 12 Little Angel .. ..006 Feb 12 Whau 0 5 0 Feb 14 Bird in Hand .. ..010 Feb 14 Multum-in-Parvo ..010 Feb 15 Stock Importation ..100 Feb 19 Lowland Lass .. ..000 Feb 19 Pacific 0 0 6 Feb 19 Lincoln 0 0 2 Feb 20 Matawai 0 0 3 Feb 22 Otago 0 10 Feb 23 City of Aberdeen ..003 Feb 22 Thames Gas .. ..026 Mar 6 MEETINGS TO COME.

Conquering Hero, 12, Insurance Buildings, Auckland,

4 p.m. February 8 Little Wonder, Coromandel, February 8 Golden Phoenix, Grahamstown, February 9 Crown Prince, Queen's Feny Hotel, Auckland,

February 12 Bank of Tokatea, Mechanics, Auckland, 4 p.m. Feb

ruary 13. Queen's Ferry, 49, Queen street, Auckland, 4 p.m

February 13 Red, White, and Blue, Grahamstown, February 14 Golden Pah, Coromandel, February 15. Smiling Beauty, Grahamstown, February 16. Flagship, Golden Anchor, Grahamstown, February 21. Pride of Tokatea, Company's office, Queen street,

Auckland, 3 p.m. February 22 Masonic, Coromandel, February 23 Lowland Lass, Grahamstown, February 24 Margaretta, 33, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 2 p.m. February 24. Nebraska, Grahamstown, February 26

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND-STREET.

Mails will Close as Under : For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m

and to-morrow

at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Kapanga, per Royal Alfred, to-morrow, at

11.30 a.m. For Wansanui, per "Wanganui, this day, at 5 p.m. For Tauranga and Opotiki, per Dauntless, to-morrow,

at 11 a.m. For Russell, Kawakawa, and Waimate, per Duke of

Edinburgh, on Thursday, at 3 p.m. For Napier and Southern Provinces, per p. s. Nevada. For Taranaka and South em Provinces, per s.s. Phcebe, on Friday, at 5 p.m. Late letters and telegrams until 7.30 a.m. on Saturday.

S. B. Biss; Postmaster.

DEATHS.

"WHITE.—On the Cth February, at Graf ton Road, Harold Herbert, infant son of Mr. T. Leigh White, aged two months.

BELL.—At Symonds street, Auckland, Sophia Caro line, infant daughter of "William Fraser and Eliza beth Bell.

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."

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1872.

We are obliged to hold over till to-morrow an account of tho pilgrimage of the City Council into the "nevernever" country to dis cover the sources of the future water supply of the city ; also our remarks on the meeting of the Auckland Rowing Cli'b, who had the astounding audacity last night to censure us for having spoken to them like unto a father. Various other matters of local or general interest are excluded, or greatly condensed in order to give as fully as possible the European and American news. The adjourned meeting of the subscribers to the Auckland Dispensary, w&s held yesterday evening in the Mechanics' Institute. Mr. Shalders occupied the chair, The following officers were elected for tho ensuing year : His Worship the Mayor, vice«president; Mr James Coupland, treasurer ; Mr. Shalders, hon iecretary. Committee: Messrs. Darby. Batcher, H. Isaacs, Lennox, Tonks, Boylan T. L. White, W. H. Kissling, Buchanan,' Wayfce and Wiseman. Medical Officer: T. B. Kinderdme, Esq., M.R.C.S.L. iA complimentary ball will be given on tho 13th inst., in the Drill-shed to the officers of the U,S.S. St. Mary and EMS. Blanche.

We have received a letter signed " Rate payer." It shell appear in our next.

The following paragraph, which we extract from a Southern contemporary, wiU more probably explain the attack of H.M.S. Rosario on the natives of one of the South Sea Islands.

—" The Woodlark, which arrived at Sydney on the 16th instant from Brisbane, has been engaged in a cruise among the South Sua Islands. During tho latter end of November : she was at Havannah Harbour, H.M.S. Rosario being in company. Captain Russell reports that the boats from the Rosario had landed at Montague, an adjacent island, for the purpose of conversing with the natives, but they could not be indr.ced to come near the beach until the boats pushed off, when they at once rushed down and fired on the departing boats, and it was reported that two or three men had been wounded. The boats returning to the ship, steam was got up, a^d the sloop brought round abreast of the village, which was shelled.

Some of our Southern contemporaries can lay the rod on with vigour when occasion serve?. This is how the Dunedin Echo birches Mr. Birch, recently appointed en Immigration Agent by the General Government: —" This gentleman was a good carpenter — ergo, ho must be a good immigration a;jent. He sold and brewed hogsheads of ale— ergo, he has the gift of persuasion. Our professors, our schoola, our churches, our charitable institu tions, onr newspapers.are all to be represented in Britain by a man who probably can neither write nor speak grammar, and who lamentably failed when by some electoral blunder he was pitchforked into the Geueral Assembly. We firmly believe that his appointment is a huge practical joke. He ha 3 little or r,o manners, and a most low and and vulgar address and delivery. Mr. Macassey proved that he more than once voted for measures which actually ho had not road. Ho was the dirty tool of the Vogel Government— ergo, ho was sent home to represent us ; and those who s?e him at a1! will naturally think that all of us ero intellectually no better than Tom Birch." Yesterday the City Council and a number of other gentlemen visited the Nihotapu Creek, in the Waitakerei Ranges, the pro posed source of the water supply of the city. ■ Great satisfaction was expressed by all as to the abundance and excellence of the wato" in this mountain stream, which was found by Mr. "Vv riglT's calculations to be flowing at the rate of 1,700,000 gallons por day. Wo are obliged to hold over a full report till to morrow. A meeting of the members of tho Auckland Rowing Club was held last evening at the Thames Hotel, to take into consideration the conduct of the committee in reference to their not sending tho crew to Chiistchurch. A stormy debate ensued, and a vote of censure was passed on the Evening SrAU and Cross for the articles that had appeared in those papers on the subject. It was decided not to send the boat, and to return the subscrip tions. A meeting of shareholders of the Evening Star Gold Mining Company was hftld yester day afternoon at the Queen's Feriy Hotel, Vulcan Lane. Messrs. Harrison, Geo. Giles, A. Clements, A. Walker, and John Darby were elected directors. It was determined that the directors should be authorised to deal with the shares not taken up by the old share holders.

Messrs. Andrew Burns and John Rule, ale and porter bottlers, have dissolved partnership by mutual consent. The business will henceforth be carried on by John Rule.

Persons are cautioned against dealing with the Bowling Saloon at the back of the Duke of Marlborough Hotel, the same having become vested in Mr. Thomas Macffarlane, the provisional trustee in bankimptcy, as trustee in the estate of John Beaton, builder.

A meteor passed over Auckland at a few miniates past eight last evening. From the wharf it appeared overhead and travelled from west to east, slowly afc first, when a pause \va3 visible, and then it shot across the heavens, bursting into fragments.

The Provincial Q-overnment require tenders for cutting, ditching, and constructing stone culverts in the Great North Road.

A meeting of shareholders of the Bass Rock Q-old Mining Company, convened to be held yesterday afternoon, at the Queen's Ferry Hotel, lapsed for want of a quorum.

The directors of tho Bay of Islands Coal Company notify that there has been a sudden and enormous influx of water into the vaine > they are consequently unable to make any delivery of round coal after the 14th inst, un til the water subsides.

A meeting will bo held to-moivow evening in the Rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association for the purpose of organizing a new land society.

Subscribers and collectors of subscriptions towards the building of a new Jewish syna gogue are requested to hand in their lists and amounts to the treasurer before tho 16th inst. for publication ■. Wo have received a lettor signed " Obaorver" giving a long account of an interview with the Gtenius of Gold, in a vision which ho had away "down down down among the dead men." We cannot see the purpose or moral of the vision, or whom or what it means to hit, and do not think it wou'd be road with much in terest.

Canning and another gentleman were look ing at a picture of the deluge ; the ark was in the middle-distance ; in the fore^sea an elephant was Been struggling with his fate. " 1 wonder," eaid the gentleman, " that the elephant did not seek an inside place." Ho was too late, my friend, replied Canning ; he was detained packing up his trunk,

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY. Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., E.M. DRUNKENNESS. Pour persons were punished as usual for first, and two for second offences. THREATENING- LANGUAGE. Peter Dowd was brought up on warrant, charged by Ellen Dowd with threatening her. On his promising to abstain from liquor, the case was withdrawn. PROVOKING AND INSULTING LANGUAGE. Donald Urquhart was charged by F. G-. Walker with using language to him calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. Complainant failed to appear, and the case was struck off the list.

ALLEGED INCENDIARISM

ME. J. CAETIEI&HT

John Cartwright and Edward Carven surrendered to their bail on a charge of having unlawfully, maliciously, and feloniously set fire to a certain dwelling house in Walcefield street on the 30th January last, the property of James Lyon and others.

Mr Brookfield and MrWeston appeared for the prosecution ; and Mr Sheehan and Mr Eees for the defence.

Mr Brookfield said that he had no evi dence against Carvan, and he was accord ingly discharged. Mr Brookfield, in opening the case against Cartwright, said that during two years there had been great litigation be tween him and Lyon, in respect to the occupation of tho house. A conference had occurred recently between counsel in the case.

[Here a disturbance occurred iv Court, and a drunken man was taken into custody.]

Mr Sheehan applied for permission for the accused to stand on the floor of the Court. To this Mr Brookfield demurred, because it was the rule for all persons accused of felony to stand in the dock, and it would be invidious to make distinctions.

His Worship held with Mr. Brookfield.. and prisoner was ordered into the dock, Mr. Brookfield continued, stating that it had been agreed that the house should be delivered up to Lyon within three weeks, which would be about 10th Feb ruary. Shortly before the fire, the house had been gutted by Cartwright, and every thing taken away. On the night of the fire he left at about G p.m. About 9 Mr, Mr McCall passed and saw a steady bright light in tho house, Carfcwright had for ten minutes been missed from a public - house opposite, and could give no account of that time. Evidence could be given as to conversations between prisoner and his wife in which it was said that before the house should be given up to Lyon it should be destroyed. All other evidence would be circumstantial as usual in such cases, but would be found strong.

Mr Mackay, agent for Northern Insur ance Company, deposed: Cartwrighfc in sured the house which has been since burned down, I believe for £250. Tho policy was renewed early in January. After tho trial in the Supreme Court he came to me. That was about the 26th January. He requested that the policy might bo returned, as he had no further interest. I cancelled the policy and re turned the premium.

By Mr Sheehan: This was only a re newal of the policy which I believe had run on for some years.

To Mr Brook field : Cartwright made no enqniry as to who would get the money. James Lyon solemnly affirmed and declared: lam a resident at Freoman's Bay. I know the prisoner. He has recently been residing in a house in Wakefleld street, belonging to me and Theophilus Daniel, as trustees of the Society of Christian Israelites. He has been in possession of it 14 or 15 years. To obtain re-possession, Daniels and I took action against the prisoner in the Supreme Court. It was defended. On the 20th January last the trial took place, and result was that he had to give up possession in three week. He did not ask me to tako over the policy of insur ance. 1 cannot say whether he and his wife and family were living in the house at the time of the trial. 1 only know from hearsay what had become of his furniture and effects. I have never received posses sion of the property, and the house has been burned.

To the Court: I was present, and heard the decision in open Court.

David Lyon, deposed : I am the son of James Lyon, of Freeman's Bay. I know prisoner, who lived opposite the Globe Hotel, in Wakefield street. Ido not know to whom the house belonged. The house was burned down on the 30th Jan. I have seen Mr Cartwright at the house up to the day before the fire. On the the 17th January, two or three days before the trial, I was in Wakefield street, near the house occupied by prisoner. I saw some timber on a dray, and some doors coming out of the house, which were then put on the cart. There was a carter and another man present, but prisoner was not. Mr Carven, now in Court, was the other man. I don't know if he is a friend of Cartwright's. As I was coming up the street I went and looked through one of the back windows, but could see nothing in the room. I did not notice any door in the room. I did not look in any other part of the house. The action referred to was one between my father and Mr Cartwright, in the Supreme Court. This witness and the preceding one were not cross-examined.

Mr Weston put in the order under the seal of the Supreme Court as evidence. James Lyon recalled : The house which was burned is that which was built on the allotment 36, section 36, described in the title deeds now produced. By Mr Sheehan • I produced this deed previously. I cannot say whether I did so when I applied for a title in the Land Registry Office. My application was re fused. This was certainly more than two years ago, and I believe it to be four years. I also tried to produce it in a case in this court, brought by Cartwright against me, which I lost. There has been a constant struggle between prisoner and myself for the recovery of the property, of which I have been trying to get possession ever since. Cartwright and I have not been on friendly terms since,

By Mr Weston: The differences ended in the action in the Supreme Court, which terminated a few days ago. John Wheaton deposed : lama manner residing in Elliott street. On 17th January I was master of the cutter Sydney. On that day or next prisoner came to ask me to take some things down to the Thames. I took timber and some doors. I cannot say whether the timber was papered. There were also 10G0 or 1100 new palings. There was a table, a safe, a box, and some bricks besides. I took them to the Thames. By Mr, Sheehan:.He came to me openly aad there was no attempt at con cealment, . n Walter McCaul deposed: About J o'clock on the 30th January, I was at Mr Cartwright's house in Wakefield street. I went on the front verandah and knocked twice at the door. I called to Mr Cart wright, but got no answer. I ran round to the back to see if there was a light, 1 looked over the fence. The doors and windows was lighted up, but 1 do not know where the light stood. It was inside the house, At that time it did not strike me there was any thing unusual in the light. I stood at the extreme end of Mr. Cartwright s house outside the fence, and was not in a position to see what kind of light it was. I reached my arms over the fence, knocked two or three times on the weather-boards, and called Mr Cart wright. Getting no answer, and thinking it very unusual for the house to be lighted up during Cartwright's absence, and believing that hia wife and family were away, I thought he might have gone to the Fitzroy Hotel, close by, for refresh ment before going to bed. I looked in the front door of the hotel, but, not seeing him there, I returned down town. I did not see him, but saw his house in flames about 10 o'clock. I saw Mr Sims after the fire in a house at the foot of Wakefield street. I said I should like to see Mr Cartwright, to see if he had any place to sleep in, as I could give him a bed; He told me where I could find him, and 1 met him at the house of Mr Martin the tin-smith, close by. As far as I can remember 1 commenced the conversation by telling him that I had heard among the crowd at the fire a great many remarks tending to throw the blame on him, and that ho had been guilty of setting the house on fire. I told him also that Sergeant Pardy and Mr Broham had enquired as to what I knew of it. He said he was sorry people suspected him, and thathe could not help it. Mr Martin was present during this conversation. The prisoner aftrwards explained what pre cautions he had taken to prevent fire, By Mr Sheehan: Ido not think it was after nine, but very near it, when I was at Cartwright's house. It did not strike mo that there was anything unusual in the light. A fire on the hearth, but not in the grate, might have caused the re flection. At the time I thought it might have been from an ordinary candle or lamp, but I have thought differently since. Where I stood was almost in a line with the window. The blinds were pulled down close. If I had thought the appear ance inconsistent with that of a fire in the fire-place I would have taken more notice, for I own the adjoining house. Ido not know if there is a building in Edwardes street immediately beliind Cartwright's. The street running beside Cartwright's ground is quite a common thoroughfare. There were people passing at the time I was knocking. No mystery was made of Mr Cartwnght's family going to the Thames. I remained at Martin's till Ternahan came and took Cartwright away. It was Mr Carver's birthday and the party was celebrating it. Mr Cartwright ap peared to take the information I gave him quietly and coolly—more so than I should have done. Eo-examined by Mr Weston: The house destroyed was a detached one. James Scheriff deposed : I am a watch man residing at Newton. On Wednesday, 30th January, at about ten minutes past ten in the evening I was on duty in Wakefield street: I stopped opposite the Fitzroy Hotel to listen to people inside. Two or three minutes after I saw a dim light in the corner of a house which had been occupied by Mr Cartwright. It seemed in a room facing the Fitzroy. I at first thought it was a candle. In about a minute it got larger and smoky-like. I crossed to where the light was and saw the house was on fire in that room. I called out " fire." Till that I did not see light in any other room. I believe there was no person in the house. That was the first enquiry I made. The fire was confined to that room for an instant, and then spread all over the house like a flash of powder. (Left sitting.)

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

(FROM OT7B OWS CORRESPONDENT.) G-rahamstown, 2.45 p.m.

Tookey'a (Work's tribute), have ob tained 51ozs. from 40 tons.

Kelly's tribute have crushed 33 tons; the yield is 41 ounces.

Poverty (tributers), have also had a crushing, and obtained 22 ounces from 21 tons.

THE VOLUNTEER CHRONICLE

Notice is drawn to the meeting of volun teers this evening to consider the challenge thrown down by the Thames volunteers to a rifle match.

A dismounted parade of the Prince Alfred Light Horse, wil be held this even ing, after which the presentation of a sword to Captain C. R. Oholmondeley Smith will take place.

The officers commanding companies and troops of volunteers, are requested to attend the District office, to-morrow morning, with the record books of parades duly signed and completed in every respect for the examination of the Inspec tor of Militia and Volunteers.

Only one member of the Hawkes Bay Volunteers succeeded in qualifying for the Government Prize Competition to take place at Christchurch, and this was Ensign Close, of the Napier Rifle Volunteers, who succeeded in scoring 45 points.

ARRIVAL OP THE NEVADA WITH THE ENGLISH AND AMERICAN MAILS.

Supposed Poisoning of the Prince of Wales by secret agents of the Interna tional Society. Fearful Boiler Explosion. Flax and Wool Market. Frightful Accident in Ireland Fifty Persons Killed and Injured. Wild Duck sailedfor Auckland Assassination of James Fisk, Junior. The Cholera in Alexandria. The French Commission to Enquire into the Surren der of Forts, etc., to the Germans.

The mail steamer Nevada, Captain Blethen, arrived in harbor this after noon, bringing the English and Ameri can mails. "We are indebted to Mr. Aley, purser, for the prompt delivery of our files and the following report: —

The U.S.N.Z. and A. mail steamer Nevada, T. H. Blethen, captain, left Auck land December 30th, for Honolulu; on January 3 at 5.30 p.m. met s.s. Nebraska in lat 22 ° 23 rain south, and lon 174 ° 39 west ; exchanged papers ; on January 6 at 3 a.m. arrived off the harbor of Panga Panga, island of Trithilu, we landed Mr Seed on Government business of New Zealand ; arrived at Honolulu 16 January at 7 a.m. Had head wiuds and much rain the greater part of the voyage. Re turning—Left Honolulu 21st January 11 a.m. for Auckland ; 10.40 p.m. 30th Jan uary arrived off the island of Anne (Navigator's Group) we stopped 2^ hours for Mr Seed, who was there awaiting our arrival to take him away. 1 a.m, 31st, Mr Seed coming on board, resumed our course for Auckland. Feb. Ist, lat. 17.44 S., long. 17150 W. 12.30 p.m., meeting the steamer Nebraska, we ex changed papers. North of the equator encountered strong gales, much rain, and bad weather generally, with adverse winds. Have 11 passengers for Auckland and Southern Ports, and 235 packages for Australia. February 7th, 12.30 p.m., arrived at Auckland.

Passengers. — For Auckland : Mr Seed, Mrs Havill, Messrs. L. Haselmyer, Bacon, Gr. Cook, William Bonar, Charles Keisbarat, J. Holdright, E. Pule. For Lyttelton: Mr Howell ; and 20 for Australia.

Caego.—l62 bags sugar, 9 cases sewing machine, 1 pkg freezers, 2 boxes seed, 1 case tobacco, 2 cases printing* press, 1 case organ; and 11 packages for Southern ports, and 234 for Australia.

GENERAL SUMMARY.

Lomdon, December 14.—An Alexan dria letter says that the entire .East is restless under the cholera scourge. Alexandria, which is the great highway to and from India, threatens to disseminate cholera around the globe

Paeis, December 14.—1t is announced that the Orleans Princes have determined to take their seats in the Assembly at an early date, when they will act with the Party of the Eight Centre. London, December 27th. —The mail steamer from the Cape of Good Hope brings the intelligence that the treaty of annexation of the Afri can diamond country to the British had been finally concluded, and had pro duced much excitement in that territory. Brand, President of the Free States, had issued a formal protest against the trans fer of the diamond fields to Great Britain.

The discovery of gold in considerable quantities had been made in the Transval Republic The reports attracted many adventurers to that quarter. The diamond seekers were abandoning the diamond districts for the newly discovered gold country. Capetown continued to be thronged with arriving and .returning fortune-hunters. The business of the Colony was making great strides. New York, December 28.—A Cairo (Egypt) letter of December Ist says a report is current there that Sir Samuel Baker and his men, who were exploring Central Africa, on the head waters of the Nile, Jiave died of starvation. One report says the men mutinied and shot Baker; another report says that only Baker and his wife are left of the expedition. London. December 28th. —The bullion in the Bank of England has decreased £20,000. Consols, 92|; money, 92| on account; American securities are firmer. A bulletin from Sandringham says that the Prince had a good night, and that his strength is slowly returning. The Archbishop of Canterbury has ordered the discontinuance of special prayers for the recovery of the Prince. Reuters News Agency publishes a contradiction of the reports that warrants had been sent to England for the arrest of John C. Heenan, and make a suitable apology. London, December 29th.—The Eight Hon. Mr. Childers addressed his con stituents last evening. He announced his entire recovery and resumption of his seat

at the next session of Parliament. In Derby, Clarendon, and Granvi le- This afternoon's papers publish a letter from Her Majesty Queen Victoria, in which she says that she desires to express her deep sense of the touching sympathy exhibited for her family by the whole nation and for her dear son The feeling, says the Queen, shown by her people during the painful and terrible days ot the Prince's illness, their sympathy with j herself and beloved daughter the Princess ( of Wales, and the joy manifested at the , improvement in the health of the , Prince has made a deep and ineffable impression upon her heart. The manifes tations of the people are nothing new to her, for she met with the same sympathy . ten years ago, when a similar illness from that under which her son is now suffering removed from life the best, wisest, and kindest husband that ever lived. Her Majesty says she also wishes to express the heartfelt gratitude of the Princess of Wales, and concludes her letter with a hope that her faithful subjects will con tinue to pray for the complete recovery of the Prince. ~ Alarmed at Gladstone's Republican ten dencies-, the Conservative section, led by the Duke of Somerset and Viscount Hali fax, are seeking to form a coalition with the Tories, for the purpose of electing Beverie Speaker of the House of Commons instead of Brand, and to compel the retire ment of Gladstone. . London, December 30th.—The Prince of Wales continues toj improve, The Queen's visit to Sandringham was not caused by the appearance of any dangerous symptoms. The Times, reviewing Grant s message, promises that the present Cuban policy will soon be changed for a more active one. The Times does not object, it says, that Cuba should be separated from Spam; The ship Edward foundered oil Fal mouth yesterday. All on board were lost. No particulars. , A letter has been published in which it is stated that the writer is informed on, on the authority of one who is well posted regarding the secret societies of Europe, that the Prince of Wales was not suffering from typhoid fever, but from attempted poisoning by a secret agent of the International Society. That organi zation, it is said, has resolved upon the death of the Prince, and the public assertions of some of its members are urged as corroboration of the fact. The Herald, editorially, declines to endorse the story.

Glasgow, December 30th.—While a large road waggon, propelled by steam, carryingheavy boilers, was passing through the streets to-day, surrounded and fol lowed by a throng of children, one of the boilers exploded. Five children were killed outright, and seven so badly in jured that their recovery is doubtful. The 'dead and injured were frightfully muti lated.

Loxdoiv, January I.—General Sherman and suite landed at Gibraltar.

Dublin, January 2.—At the installation of the Conservative Mayor of Limerick yesterday, a turnultous mob alternately hissed at the mention of the Prince of Wales and cheered for home rule.

London, January 2.—Cardwell, Secre tary of War, addressed his constituents at Oxford yesterday. Alluding to the illness of the Prince, he said it had served to bring out the strong reciprocal sym pathy which had always existed between the constitutional sovereign and a free people. He intimated that the attention of Parliament would be directed to social measures for the improvement and welfare of the people. There is considerable talk here about transferring the property and control of the Atlantic (of Canada) lines to the joint government of Great Britain and the United States. The proposition is received with favor, anticipating that it may result in a reduction of the present exorbitant tariff rates.

London, January 3rd.—A grand de monstration will soon take place in honor of Sir Charles Dilke. The Queen has returned to Windsor. The City Council to-day presented an address of congratulation upon the con valescence of the Prince ot Wales, and praying his speedy restoration to full health.

Dublin, January 3rd. —A floor in the crowded Court-room at Kitty _ Clagher, Leitrini, Ireland, gave way while a trial was in progress, precipitating 300 people a distance of thirty or forty feet. The number of killed is unknown ; thirty were badly injured, most of them fatally.

New York, January 6th. —James Fisk, junr, was shot twice in the breast by .Edward Stokos at the Grand Central Hotel, at twenty minutes past four this afternoon.

The affair took place in the vestibule. Fisk was assisted to a chair. It is thought he cannot survive.

Stokes was arrested, and conveyd to the Fifteenth Precinct Station House.

Fisk had just alighted from his carriage and entered the hotel, when he was shot.

New York, January 7th. —A few minutes before eleven o'clock this morning James Fisk, Jr., expired, All that un remitting medical skill and attention could do had been done, but was of no avail. Jay Gould was in attendance from an early hour this morning. His face wore its usual calm expression, while there yet was a chance that his friend might recover. No sooner had Fisk expired, however, than Gould's fortitude gave way, and his grief found vent in tears.

News of Fisk's death; spread rapidly, and every where produced a profound sen- j sation of deep regret. All the aspersions that his enemies had heaped upon his character were in a moment forgotten, and only his noble qualities of head and heart ' were remembered — his frankness, his generosity and his charity. I The scene in and around the room where the body lay was touching in the extreme. It became necessary to admit upstairs only those who came on business, j Notwithstanding, a very large number of the friends of Pisk and guests of the hotel ! viewed the body. Many ladies were ; among them. Later in the afternoon, ! prior to the removal of the body to Fisk's ' late residence. The public were admitted ; to view the body at six o'clock this even in §« S

COMMERCIAL.

NEW YORK. December 24, New Zealand Flax—ls more active and is fast superseding Sisne Hemp, as it makes a better rope, Although not co clean looking, still for actual service it .is far superior, There is now no New Zea land in first hands, the last sales bemgy\Q tons, to arrive, at 9ic gold, Gum Kauri—ls quiet, The only Mq to note is 220 bags Scraped, on private terms. ,- » ■ January 6, ! The East Lothian has been chartered ! for Auckland. > Wool.—Active. The stock of Austra- Han in this city is 638 bales. Sales, 30 bales, private. At Boston, 173,0031b5, at 52c to 60c; also 40,0C31bs New Zealand, I at 58c to 59c. . New Zealand Flax—Quiet; 10c gold ' stock 3,650 bales. London, December 21. — Produce markets less active. Prices irregular; Wool.—Quiet; very fivm. London, January 9. Wool.—New Zealand was well com peted for and sold at full rates. Flax—New Zealand had been more active especially for the better qualities, and closed fi-mer at £2 per ton advance, I and the late offerings had been held for further advance and bought in; sales 950 bales at £2210s to £36. , Gam Arabic and Gum Kauri—Were dull; sales 290 cases kauri at 235. 6d. to 365. Sailed—December 8, London, Wild Duck for Auckland. Entered for loading—Fire Queen, for Auckland and Canterbury,

SUFFERINGS ON BOARD A GER MAN EMIGRANT SHIP.

The captain of the emigrant ship Europa from Bremen, was on the arrival of the vessel at New York, arrested by order of the United States Emigration Commis sioners for a breach of the regulations. Mr Kerndorf, ono of the cabin passengers, describes the voyage as sickening in the extreme. He states in an affidavit that the passengers were suffering nearly all the time for want of stifficient food, and he swears positively that two of them died from actual starvation—in fact, when they were thrown overboard they were perfect skeletons. The small-pox also broke out on board in the lower cabin, causing the greatest consternation amongst the pas sengers. There was no doctor on board, and during all the illness the captain paid little, if any, attention to those in the steerage ; and Mr Herndorf, though en tirely ignorant of medicine, was obliged to look aftet the sick as well as he could, whilst with regard to food he shared the same as the rest, except that all the salt pork he got he was unable to eat. He says :—" I one day took the little picee of meat given me for my dinner, stuck it on the end of my fork, and went up and held it to the captain's face, asking him if he thought that was sufficient for a man's dinner. Besides my meat, which I could almost put in my hollow tooth, I had bean soup It was little better than clear water; at least I could count the beans on the bottom of the basin. Each one also had a cracker, which was so hard that it had to be soaked in water before it could be eaten. But the pangs of starva tion were nothing compared with the loathsome horror of seeing the passengers huddled together like swine—they were huddled together, men, women and chil dren, from the first, and were obliged to remain so during the entire voyage. When the ship had been"out a week, the women were all so reduced in health and strength that they were barely able to move." Mr Herndorf states that even before leaving Bremen they were treated badly, and that but very few of the passengers before they went on board knew the name of the ship they were to sail in, so completely had they been de ceived by the agents.

CRUSHED TO DEATH IN A CLOCK.

The bell-ringer in the cathedral of Wurtz burg has perished under very singular circumstances. The church possesses a splendid clock, with ponderous and com plicated works, while a pendulum of pro portionate length vibrates to and fro with a dull and monotouous thud. Recently the clock needed cleaning, and the ringer was deputed to superintend the work, though he ruefully endeavoured to be excused from the task. It seemed that he never willingly approached the belfry from certain unpleasant associations. About twenty years ago he killed his pre decessor in office, accusing him of carrying on a criminal intrigue with his wife. When brought to trial he escaped the gallows owing to a deficiency of legal proof. The patronage of one of the canons then procured him the appointment vacant by the death of his victim. Hence, it is said, arose his superstitious dread in con nection with the belfry, which was supposed by many to be haunted by the ghost of the murdered ringer. On the morning when the clock was to be cleaned it suddenly stopped, and the bell-ringer was nowhere to be found. A workman from the town was sent for, and ascended the tower, when he was horrified to find the pendu lum and lower works dripping with blood. Upon searching further the body of the bellringer was found entangled in the works frightfully mangled and crushed. One supposition is that he committed sui cide by climbing up the pendulum and then pitching himself into the machinery of the clock. But the wonder-loving gossips of the place, with a thorough German propensity for the declare that the guilty man upon] the gloomy chamber wherein tnt? works revolved, was horror-stricken by the apparition of his predecessor sitting astride the great balance-wheel of the clock, and had then been drawn into the works by a species of horrible fascination, similar to that which the rattlesnake is said to have over its prey. There sat the spectre, rubbing his gory hands with hideous gleo as the victim was slowly drawn in among the cog-wheels and ratchets of the machinery. An agonising yell, a crush of bones, and all was still! Such, according to the Italic, is the newest legend Qf the belfry of Wurtz burg.

THE EVENING STAB, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 7, 1872

2



"LEISURE HOUR" AND "SUNDAY AT HOME." "VTEW VOLUME NOW READY -*-^ AT E. W A V T E ' S, 100, Queen-street. J CATER (late Cbombie's), ROYAL • PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY, Queen street, Auckland, has much pleasure in in forming his friends and the public generally that he has purchased the Photographic Business so long carried on by Mr Crombie ; and having secured the services of Mr Crombie's late Manager, he feels warranted in stating that they will receive every civilty and attention, as welJ as n'rst-class and artistic portraits at his hands, and that no pains will be spared to give entire satisfaction. J C. also wishes to inform the Ladies that arrangements are being made for taking instantaneous Portraits of Children.



We observe by advev'isements that Mr. It. W. Dyson, so long and favourably known in the drapery trade, is about to relinquish the business, and conse quent upon the expiration of his lease, will, for the remainder of term, hold an unusually cheap sale, and solicits an early call to secure.bargains : [Advt.]



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-made Jewellery always on hand.—F. 11. Lbwisson, Queen street. — lAdvt.]