SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 6.44. HKrH WATER: This evening, fw.

STEAMER TO THE THAMES. Enterprise No. 2, C o'clock this evening.

A.RRTVALS. St Kilda, s.s., Flowerday, from Wanganui. Stanley, schooner, 115 tons, J. Griffiths, from War lmMary Ellen, schooner, "Rawlings, from Mercury Bay Eagle, ketch, Milles, from Russell.

DEPARTURE.

Tanranga, schooner, Sellars, for Tauranga,

IMPORTS.

Per Stanley, from Warnambool: 140 tons potatoes. Stone Bros., agents.

EXPORTS.

Per Julia Price, schooner, for Levuka— l V'-cjl^ wine, D. Levy ; a quantity of sawn timber, J. b. Mac farlane ; 1 sofa, 1 case drapery, McArthur, Shera, & Co ■ 7 cases onions, Duder; 1 chain, 1 compass 21 pieces iron, Williams;* 2 bags potatoes, 3 kegsi butter, Scasesbacon,2bags onions, Corbett: 10 tins biscuits, Lamb ; 1 case biscuits, 1 keg butter, 1 box soap, Turner. M. Niccol, agent.

ARRIVAL OF THE STANLEY.

The schooner Stanley, Captain Griffiths, arrived in harbor this morning with a cargo of potatoes, consigned to Messrs. Stone Bros. The Stanley left Warrnainbool on the 9th March, and experienced strong E. anclJN..h. gales to the Three Kings, which were passed on Wed nesday.

ARRIVAL OF THE ST. KILDA.

Bab Weather Encountered,

The W.S.N. Company's s.s. St. Kilda, t.uptain Flowerdav. left Wanganui on the 2nd instant at 2 a m. with" light N.E. winds, which, freshening during the day increased to a gale towards evening, accom panied with violent squalls and heavy sea : lay to till C a m. the following morning (the 3rd), when the St. Kilda proceeded on her course, the wind having moderated, but heavy sea still running ; crossed the Manukau bar on the 4th, at i p.m. and arrived at Onehunga at 0 p.m., having experienced strong head winds the remainder of the passage. Passenger : Mr. McLean. Cargo : 40 head cattle, 3 horses, 350 sheep, order.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydney and Melbourne: City of Melbourne, to morrow : Hero, s.s., 24th instant. For Mangaia: Edith, schooner, to-day. For London : Caduceus, ship, early ; Ka Moi, barque,

early. For Kaipara: Mary Eliza, to-day. For Levuka: Julia Price, schooner, to-day. For Napier and the South : Nevada, p.s., to-morrow. For Norfolk Island: Success, schooner to-day. Southern Cross, mission schooner, April 10. For New Bedford : Naomi, ship, early. For Honolulu : Nevada, mail steamer, April IS. For Levuka : Nukulau, schooner, to-day. For Hokiangi: Herald, schooner, to-day. For Southern ports : Taranaki, s.s., to-morrow. For Wangarei, Clyde, schooner, to-day. For Russell: Duke of Edinburgh, p.s., to-day. For Wanganui : St. Kilda, s.s., to-morrow.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Wellington, s. s , from Southern ports. Hero, s. s., from Sydney. Nevada, mail steamer, from Honolulu, due. Magellan Cloud, schooner, from Chatham Islands flelenslee, ship,'from Loidon (sailed Jan. 11). Amherst, schooner, from Sydney. Cleopatra, schooner, from Lyttelton Alpha, schooner, from Newcastle Belle, schoone'-, from Newcastle W. C. Wentworth, barque, from Newcastle H.M.S. Kosario, from Sydney s^gg Amphitrite, schooner, from Sydney Australia, brig, from Sydney Ayr, barque, from Adelaide Briton, barque, from Newcastle Union, brig, from Newcastle. Lady Emma, barque, from Adelaide.

The Wave, Drlg, of Oomam, which has recently un dergone a complete overhaul, has just landed her cargo of grain from Oamaru in splendid condition. The grain sustained no damage from the very rough weather experienced on the passage, a strong N.E. gale blowing for four days. The brig will leave for Newcastle to-morrow to load coals for Oamaru. The s.s. City of Melbourne was in process of clearing at the Custom-house this afternoon, for Sydney and Melbourne with the following passengers :—For Syd ney— Saloon—Mrs. Clayworth, Mrs. Hardie and child, ££i M r ,M^>^^ IBa7dSie^''3ir:/^hn- IMiller; iiisnop uroKe and Mr. Holdship. Steerage—Messrs. W. Smith, W. McNeill, Chas. Berdon, Hilton, By csoft, and P. Kenny. For Melbourne—Saloon—Mr. Charles O'Neill, M.H.R. Steerage—Mrs. Murray. The departure of the steamer has been delayed until four o'clock to-morrow afternoon. The schooner Herald has cleared outwards at the Customs this afternoon for Hokianga with a large cargo of merchandise. The cutter Mercury cleared at the Customs this morning for Mercury Bay with a general cargo. The schooner Wangarei has cleared in ballast for Russell. The cutter Bessy has cleared for Waiakawau. with a miscellaneous cargo. The Mary Ellen, schooner, arrived this moi'ning from Mercury Bay with 29 tons gum, Ralph Sterry & Co; 6 bundles hides, Ireland & Bros. ; 1 cask rum, Owen & Graham. The ketch Eagle arrived from Russell tills morning with 50 tons coals, J. D. Gilfillan, 93 bags gum, AValker ; 3 cases cheese, Meyers. The schooner Julia Price cleared at the Customs this afternoon for Levuka. She takes the following passen gers : —Messrs. H. Scotland, "VVm. Wrigley, O. P. Abbot, and A. Sloane. The ship Wild Duck entered at the Customs this afternoon. She will haul alongside the wharf as soon as the Naomi vacates the berth at the end of the wharf.

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. For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Taranaki, this day, at 5 p.m. For Taranaki and Wanganui, per St. Kilda, to morrow, at 8 a.m. For Gisborne and Wliitiangi, per Meteor, to-morrow, at 11 a.m. For Kapanga, etc, per Royal Alfred, to-morrow, at 11 a.m. For Whitiangi, per Mary Ellen, to-morrow, at 5 p.m. For Napier and the Southern provinces, per p.s. Nevada, six hours after her arrival from Honolulu. For the Australian Colonies, India, China, Mauritius, Continent of Europe, and United Kingdom, via Brindisi and Suez, per City of Melbourne, imme diately after arrival of p.s. Nevada. S. B. Biss. Postmaster.

DIED

Westwood. —On the 4th April, Agnes, the wife of William Westwcod, aged 48 years. The funeral will leave her late residence, Adelaide street, Freeman's Bay, on Saturday, the Oth instant, at 2.30. Friends will please accept this invitation.

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, and the Morning News

FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1872.

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."

There have been few, if any, public movements in Auckland that met with so thorough popularity as the enrol ment of Cadets. We had commended it in the strongest terms to popular favour, and we have watched with in creasing interest the various stages of its development. We believe that boy soldiering is our only hope for future national self-defence, and anything that tends to mar its popularity and success should cause concern to every one that feels an interest and a pride in his adopted country. We but echo town talk, however, when we say that the Cadet system, as at present conducted, is tending to the moral ruin of the lads. This fact forces itself on the attention of almost every one in the city. Night after night are these lads to be seen at late hours hanging about street corners, many of them unmistakably under the influence of drink, and in the society of those whose society is shame and moral death. Such a scene is in variably concomitant of the night drill. This saddening phase of our juvenile volunteering is now freely talked of as one of the effects of the enrolment of, Cadets, and those who are responsible for these night drills should know that they are piling up unpopu larity against the system which may ultimately lead to the disband ment of our young defenders.

It may seem however to many that the City Cadet Corps, being to a large extent recruited either from City Arabs or others who have already partaken largely of the fruits of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, their moral character has been already so inoculated as to be able to resist contagion ; and that they may be left to go to the devil in strict obedience to military discipline without causing any very severe compunctions to the sensitive consciences of their fellow citizens. But wo observe that the system is going to be applied to higher game, and the boys of our public schools, by direction of Major G-ordon, are about to be subjected to the same training, no doubt to make the lads manly, and to prepare them for the morality of camp lit'a. Wo have been favoured with the perusal of a District Order' commanding the attendance at the Albert Barracks, on the night of the 23rd instant, of all tho boys in the Cadet Corps of the Auckland College, the Grammar School, the Blue Coat School, and St. John's College It should be known that if the lads do not attend a certain number of these monthly inspections thoy will not receive the capita

tion allowance, so that compul sion is thus laid on them. Wo do not know what Major Gordon's reasons are for fixing the hour of inspection so as to lead the School Cadet boys in the same steps as arc now notoriously trodden by the City Cadet Corps. We arc confident that there is not one of the masters but would willingly allow the boys to go at any hour during the day for monthly inspection, or if Major Gordon would only rouse himself iv the morning such inspection and parade might take place before school hours. But probably ho may really consider that the boys will make better soldiers with a little spice of black guardism, for we have heard of

equally sensible theories emanating from military circles. As a con siderable number of these lads are under the minimum age of twelve years, and the great majority are in their early teens, we think it probable that parental authority will be brought to bear against these night parades. Of course it is high treason, and a capital offence against the Articles of War, to counsel resistance against the introduction of a-practice that must lead to the demoralisation of the boys ; but "we trust that respectable parents will promptly teach Major Gordon that the virtuous training of their boys is of more value to them than his convenience ; and that they will not tolerate their being subjected to the contamination that is fast turning our city Cadet Corps into banded young profligates. We do not hesitate to say that no sensible father and no virtuous mother will allow their boys to attend Major Gordon's night parades.

Last night at the annual soiree in St. Paul's school a number of young people of both ssxe3 of some protensions to social position conducted themselves in a most disgraceful manner. During the performance of some of the must beautiful music their conduct was intolerable, and we are told oven immodest, and ou being reproved they "were even insolent. Tlio3e showing so little respect for a church meeting deserve no consideration, and as wa have the names of the offendora we intend to-morrow, after obtaining further information, to publish them, with details of their misconduct. We have received a communication from a lady complaining of the conduct of somo man last evening on the Great North road, whom she would imagino to be an escaped lunatic had she not heard of his eccentricities before. She describes him as "talking the mo3t non sensical stuff, putting himself in the most ridiculous attitudes, and throwing himself on the ground in the most barbarous manner, to the great terror of many who were passing." She winds up by evoking the aid of the police to abate the nuisance. We are quite sure that our calling attention to the affair will cau9e fcho rinnel-l—l-«r f"'"" •*»Mined at Nr-wfnn tn enquire into the matter, and act accordingly. Laßt evening an outrage was perpetrated by a monster in tho form of a man at Newton. It appears that he met a little girl of seven years of age, the daughter of Mrs. Me-'ullough, and made disgusting proposals to her, and offering her money, at the same time com menced to aot indecently towards her. His movements were observed however by a neighbour, who called the child away and watched the fellow into the Star Hotel. She then informed tho mother, -who acting on the impulse of the moment ran over and dragged the miscreant out of tho house, and ad ministered a severe chatisement to him. It is to be hoped that in addition to this the police will get hold of this vagabond and ask the Resident Magistrate's advice as to hia disposal. The annual musical soiree in connection with St. Paul's Sunday-school took place yes terday evening in the school-room. An excellent tea was provided by the ladies of St. Paul's choir, and of ■which nearly 300 persons partook; after which the entertain ment commenced, tho Rev. Mr. Nelson pre siding. The instrumental portion of the music, consisting of selections from "L'ltaliana'l " Tancredi," " Fra Diavolo," and " II Earbiere di Seviglia" was rendered by Mr. Bonnington, Colonel Balneavis, Judge Fenton, and several members of the Choral Society. We have not the least hesitation in saying that it was the be3t performance of the kind ever heard in Auckland, Mr. Livingstone, tho organist of St. Paul's, presided at the pianoforte, and to the efficient and artistic manner in which he conducted the concert may be attributed in a great measure the success of the enter tainment. The operatic selections were per. formed in a most accomplished and brilliant manner. Tho singing also in nearly every instance was well rendered Where all exerted themselves so well it would be invidious to mention names. Between the parts the Superintendent of tho Sunday School (Mr. Hammond) gave a review of its progress during the past year, and it appeared of a very satisfactory character. The average attendance had increased from 100 to 130. The state of tho financial affairs was also pleasing. Tho startling drama of "Under the Gas light " was produced at the Prince of Wales Theatre last night, and will be played again this evening. It i 3 a piece well worth seeing, the characters being ably represented. Mrs. Walter Hill, as the heroine, played with her usual grace. Mr. Joyce sustained the character of Byke with great power and effect, while that of Snorky, in the hands of Mr. Eeogh, was a capital performance. Mr. B. N. Jones ably acquitted him self as Ray Trafford, and Mrs. B. N. Jones was as usual irresistible. The play is ox« cccdingly woll performed.

A meeting of the Justices of Lho Penco was hold tin's morning for tlio purpose of revising the jury lint. No person appoarod to oppose thoir namon being rotainod, and the li«t wnß certified to by Lho magistrates present, rnimoly Q. I\ Pioreo and L. D, Nathan, Esqs.

There are still no signs of tho Nevada, now considerably overdue.

To-morrow, at two o'clock, in the Albert >arracks, a very interesting event in boy life 9 to come oIT, to wit a race for the beautiful silver challenge cup presented for competition s )f all comers by the Principal of the Auckland College. It is open to boys of all ages, pro- , vided that they are attending a public school. There will be three heats, 100, 200, 300, yards, and the winner is to retain the cup per manently. After the race there will be a challenge foot-ball match of 25 of the College boy 3 against 15 of the Auckland Foot-ball Club. We would call attention to the loss of a memorandum book noticed in another column, with a reward thereto depending. Tho book is of no value to any one but the owner, and even its memoranda can all be restored from .other documents with some trouble ; but the owner wishes to get it, and he must be a stupid man that would wish to retain it. The "rollicking rams " appear to have been again at work. A large gate has been lifted off its hinges and carried to Mr. Williams' garden, in Hobson street, where it has been left. Several windows have been broken in that neighbourhood lately on evenings. It is a pity that the party does not fall into the hands of the police, but that body cannot be expected to bo everywhere. "Sphinx" called at our office this morning and requested us to acknowledge on his be half the receipt, of three caae3 Dunville's whiskey from "Grateful," but he complains that Grateful" omitted to pay the express man. He has received a threatening letter from " Dupe," who complains that he has been duped by " Sphinx's" tip for the Handi cap. This ho regrets, but advises " Dupe" not to practice the pernicious habit of betting —it has ruined many. Merchants, storekeepers and others are warned by tho Town Clerk not to supply (roods or material on behalf of the City Council without a proper order for the same. The Thames Advertiser, of the 4th instant, says that it was currently reported yesterday that Henry George Collett, lately committed for trial on a charge of falsifying the books of the Flagship Golden Anchor G.M.C., had dis appeared. His sureties in £100 each were Mr. McMasters, of tho Black Forest hotel; and Mr. Escott, butcher, Willoughby street. Tenders are required by tho Provincial Government for the construction of a road across Shoal Bay. The Royal Alfred brought up last night from the Bismarck claim 1,250 ounces of gold, on account of tha Bank of New Zealand. "We observo that Sergeant-Major John Morrison, A.C., has been gazetted gaoler of the public gaol at Russell, in the Btead of Constable Bichard Saunderson, resigned. Mr. John Black has been appointed ferry man at tho Wade. The usual monthly meeting of the Council of the Acclimatization Society will be held on Monday morning next, at eleven o'clock, in tho Duuloty'B oflices in Princes street. A Provincial Gazelle, published yesterday, notifies the acceptance of Messrs. Reed and Brett's tender for the Provincial Government printing, and that of Mr Charles Williamson for the Provincial Council printing. Mr. R. Baird has at the Victoria seed store, a fine stand of seedling dahlia blooms on view. The only business brought up by the Police was the fining of two men for drunkenness.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

THIS DAY

Beforo Thomas Beckharn, Esq., B.M. The usual weekly sitting of this Court for the recovery of small debts w*3 held this morn ing before the Resident Magistrate. The cau3o list was filled, thore being over thirty cases set down for disposal, some of which however were settled out of Court. DAVID KENEALY V. JAMES EOUNTEEE. Claim £15, for damages. Mr. W. H. Kissling, ou behalf of tha plain tiff, applied to amend the summons by sub stituting the name of John William instoad of Jamos Rountree. Mr. Beveridge objected, aDd after some discussion the plaintiff accepted a nonsuit. LILLEWALL AND EATTEAY V. W. H. BUTLEE. Claim £19 3s. 7d., goods supplied. Judgment accepted for £11 3s. Yd. OEDBR OY FOBESTEBS V. J. ALEXANDBE. Claim £8 Is., on promisuory note. Judgment for plaintiff. JOHN MULALLY V. EDAVABD BEADY. Claim £17, for work done. Adjourned until next Court day. CHAS. CECIL EOOKE3 V. JOHN C. STOTT. Claim, £9, work and labour. This was adjourned for a fortnight by request of counsel. JOHN OAEEY V. J. V. BOSS. Claim, £5 10s. Judgment for plaintiff. EOBEET HALE V. HENEY BOWMAN. Claim, £1 Bs. 9d. Judgment for plaintiff. HENEICn KOHN V. J. L. NEWBUEY. Claim, £2 10s. Judgment for plaintiff. W. 11. TEAIL V. J. LE BAS. Adjourned till next week, being a claim of £1, wages. J. JOHNSON V. CUAELEB MIDDLETON. Claim, £4 17s. 2£d-. good*. For plaintiff. W. C. WILSON V. PETER BEADY. Claim, £12 15s. 10s. Judgment for plain tiff, with £2 Bs. interest additional, being interest for two years at rate of 8 per cent. ED. POETEE V. LITKE WILSON. Claim, £4 8s , goods. Judgment for plain tiff. JAMES SOUTH V. B. N. JONES. Claim £7 10s. ; 11s. Bd. has been paid into Court. By request of counsel this case was adjourned till next Court day. H. AND J. B. CAMPBELL V. WM. CBAIG. Claim £13 19». 4d., goods. Judgment was accepted for the amount claimed, legs 15s. with costs. JOHN BEATON V. JEEEMIAH OASEY. Claim for damages, -£6 16s. Mr. W. H. Kissling for plaintiff; Mr. J. B. Eussell for defendant. In this plaint the olaiin was made by Beaton f(a fisherman) on account of damages alleged to have been received on the 9th March in consequence of a collision. It was sworn by plaintiff that defendant's boat, the Gemini, came into collision with his—bho cutter Swift, 8 tons. The damages aisessed were for time lost by witness and three others—that is, six days lost time at the rate of 6s. a day for four mon, £1 a week for boat rent, &c. Ono of tho fisherman on board the cutter on the 9th March, named Semflatch, was ex aminod m to facts. He said plaintiff and

himself were kind of partners with the fishing boat. It was not denied on the part of defendant that damage was done ; tho defence set up wa3 that all lawful demands had been satisfied.

The caso being closed, Mr. Kisßling con sented to a nonsuit being recorded.

Tho list still contained some seven suits to be determined after the mid-day adjournment, which did not take place until 1.15 p.m.

SUPREME COURT.

CEMINAL SESSIONS.

THIS DAY

(Before His Honor Sir George A. Arney, Chief Justice and a common jury). The criminal business was proceeded with at 10 o'clock this morning. UNLAWFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY WOUNDING-1 Henry Powers, (of U.S., labourer, 42), was arraigned on an indictment^charging him with unlawfully and maliciously wounding John Chase, on the 16th March. The Crown Prosecutor opened the case, and called witnesses. [This prisoner, it will be rembered, was 1 brought up at the Police Court on Monday, March 18, and on the application of Sergeant Pardy the hearing was held over till the 19th, when four witnesses were examined at consider able length. Tho affair took place on Satur day, March 16, in Wellesley street.] The jury, after retiring for nearly half-an hour, brought in as their veridict : " Guilty of unlawfully wounding, with a recommenda tion to meriy." A previous conviction was read over against prisoner of assault, at Hokianga, on the 14th January, 1869, to which he pleaded guilty. His Honor sentenced prisoner to six calendar months' imprisonment. The jury was then dismissed. The sessions will re-commence on Monday at 10 o'clock punctually.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

(rno-ii otje own co-respondent.)

Another Plant in the Caledo

nian,

West Coast Specimens

Euereka. —Splendid Specimens

Unicorn. —Good Crushing.

Moanataiari Showing Well.

Gbaiiamstown,

April 5, 3.15 p.m. Another plant of specimens has been found in the Caledonian mine under somo boards in the mid-level. The stone is very rich, and contains 20 ounces of gold. No gold is visible on No. 2 reef.

A crushing of 11 tons for the Stan dard gave 9 ounces of gold. The Britannia has obtained G ozs. from a trial crushing.

The West Coast has got 50 lbs. of very rich specimens fron the Beehive leader.

The Eureki lias obtained about 22 lbs. of very rich specimen stone from No. 1 leader.

Gold is seen to day in the 17 feet reef of Ecd Queen.

The Unicorn crashing of G tons yielded the handsome return of 58 ounces.

Tho "Waitemata has got over 60 lbs. of very good specimens. The Moanatairi is getting out very good stone.

THE SOUTH.

Via Hikutaia and Kati Kati.

[feom otje own coejiespokdent.]

(SPECIAL TO THE STAB.)

COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING

CHRISTCHURCH.

Accident at Murray's Gircus.

Arrest -of Two Supposed High-

waymen.

Departure of tlie Lima from

Napier.

CHRISTCHTIRCH.

Friday, 9 a.rn

SECOND DAY. Match, 400, 500, and GOO yards, seven shots at each range. The shooting was very interesting and well contested. Prize. Muir (Otago), £20 Ist Christie (Otago), £16 ... 2nd Gray (Wellington), £14 ... 3rd Kelly, Armed Con., £12... 4th CAVALRY CHAMPION BELT. Private Cummings, of Wanganui Cavalry, has been declared the winner of the Champion Belt and Medal.

NAPIER.

Friday, 9 a.m. The Government p.s. Luna, with Mr. McLean, leaves here co-day for Auckland. The Mania lias been wrecked on Wairoa bar. She is a total loss, and uninsured. No lives lost.

WELLINGTON.

Friday, 9.45 a.m. Two of the supposed gang of high waymen were arrested last evening.

LYTTELTON.

Friday, 9.28 a.m

Eugene Beda broke his leg last evening whilst performing at Murray's Circus. A dead-lock of employees on tbe Railway continues,

COROMANDEL.

Tite foreshore at Coromanclel is nowen gaging the attention of some of our wealthy speculators, from which wo anti cipate the most favorable results. Mr. Edward Thomas, late manager for the Thames G.M.C., has undertaken the management of the Wynyard G.M.C. This company's leasehold property com prises au area of forty acres, adjoining the Golden Harp, and in the immediate neighborhood of the Golconda, the leaders of which claims has been traced through the company's ground. Operations are about to be commenced at once by sink ing a main shaft on the line of the Golconda lode, which may be expected to be cut at a depth of 150 feet. It is to be hoped the company will meet with success. The plans are to be seen at the office of Mr. Ferguson, Queen street.— Communicated.

THE SHARE MARKET.

ME. J. M. LENNOX'S REPORT.

There was a fair amount of business done on the Exchange this morning. My sales com prise : Caledonian, £20 10s, £20; Thames, £5 103, £5 12s 6d; Moanatairi, £4, cum div. ; Nonpareil were sold at £4 ; Seige of Paris, 129 6d. Closing buyers : Caledonian, £20 ; Thames, £5 10s ; West Coast, 2s 6d ; John Bull, ss. Sellers: Caledonian, £20 10s; Thames, £5 15s ; John Bull, 43 6d.

THE VOLUNTEER CHRONICLE

Captains of cornpanios are requested to make up their record books for the current year ready for the commanding officer's inspection. There was a good muster of Nos. 1 and 2 Companies Navals and Cadets last evening at Fort Britomart, and the drill was most satis factorily performed. The two companies will parade together every Thursday evening in future, at half-past seven o'clock. The Royal and Victoria Companies and Cadote, and the Hobson and Scottish Com panies mustered for drill last evening in the Drill-shed, Captain Derrom in command. The men are increasing in efficiency. The monthly inspection of the Rifle Brigade and Cadets will take place this evening in the Drill-shed, at seven o'clock. The Company drill of No. 6 Company A.E.B. held on Tuesday evoniug3 has been discontinued. The members of the Volunteer Artillery and Cadets will meet for drill in Fort Brito niiirt this evening at half-past seven.

CORRESPONDENCE

ifs7"\Ve do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

THE RACES.

To the Editor of the Evening Star

Sib,— I waa not a little surprised, and very much disgusted, to read in the Thames Adver tiser a pseudo account of the races which took place on Easter Monday at Epsom. We welcomed heartily all comers, and especially the members of the Fourth Estate, to whom we naturally look for an uubiassed account of what actually took pla'ie. With the exception of a few contretemps in the time occupied in weighing, &c, the press of Auck land has been unanimous in declaring our meetings a success. Got up in a hurry, a fair average lot of nags was brought to post, and rare to say the running was so on the square as to disarm even the rancour of those who were the losers Ivy a protest. The laws of hospitality are sacred, and wlwlst deprecating the idea that because a mau is a recipient of that hospitality he is bound to support that in which he does not thoroughly believe, I must say that at future meetings I should rather have a man with unclouded ideas than the correspondent of the Thames Advertiser of the 2nd instant. I say, in no egotistical spirit, that I was mainly instrumental in getting up the first races and sports inaugurated at the Thames at great expense of time, and often at con siderable loss of money, and therefore my friends at the Thames (and I trust they are many) will acquit me of any desire to be vindictive, because I have changed my locale. From them 1 have received many kind nesses ; lo them I am willing with purse and what brains I have to render any assistance in my power in furtherance of future races and sports; but I do protest most em phatically againafc any one, professional or other, being deputed to give an account of matters in which I am concerned when bias is the main spring of his report. There is an old saying "ne sutor ultra crepidam," and the next time the Advertiser sends a man to report on events in which I am concerned I trust it will send some one who knows more about a horse, its performances and surroundings,than the Advertiser reporter knows of the fifth wheel of a coach, which wheel he never made. Saji Young.

To the Editor of the Etening Stae. Sib, —We think it our duty to bring before your notice a few particulars connected with a case recently heard before Sir Q-eorge Arney, in chambers. To make the matter clear to you wo deem it necessary to lay before you a statement of the case from prior to the man's insanity who was the subject of the investigation. Oar reasons for so doing, are that we believe it to be a case interfering with the liberty of the subject, and affecting the community at large ; and ask whether you do not think the law, — or as we think, the administration of it, does not require some alteration or public enquiry ? About eight years ago the man Henry Cowan was according to all evidence a sober and industrious man, possessed of property at Mahurangi; but falling into pecuniary diffi culties from various causes, he took to drink, which in consequence of his having been an abstainer for 18 years previous, and injuries received on the head while serving on board a man-of»war, brought on insanity, for which he was committed to the asylum. There is no doubt that at the time of his committal he was dangerous to himself, having seriously injured himself on several occasions; but according to Lia own statement, and the admissions of his wife, he never attempted to injure either himself or family or any other person.

For a considerable timo while an inmate of the asylum ho was regularly visited by the officers of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge of Oddfellows, of which he was a member. But lately ha has not been so visited, the members thinking that he would never recover, though his wife was paid the regular sick allowance to which he would have been en titled, but to which she had no legal claim. We may mention that the wife lias received over £300. But it appears/rom the evidence of all the officers, including the medical officer of the institution, that for the laßt two years at least Cowan has been a perfectly sane man and fit to be at large, and has made repeated attempts

in a legal manner to gain his liberty, but has not succeeded in consequence of the refusal of his -wife to sign hi 3 release, as she was the party who coufmecF him, and the Inspector refusing to discharge him without the consent, for what reason has not L-ieen ascertained. On the 20th February Cowan wrote to' the officers of the F.F. Lodge stating his grievance, that he was a prisoner in the asylum, and likely to remain so unless the Lodge assisted him to gain M 3 liberty. He stated that he had applied to friends, two of whom applied to the Inspector for his discharge, and offered to enter inj:o a bond for £50 for his good behaviour—the Rev. — McKhiEon, and Mr. Dyer, bothof Mahurangi. In both instances the Inspector refused to release him, although, as he himself said, he was then perfectly sane, and a burthen on the public. Cowan's reason for not applying to U3 before was that ho did not think ifc ri^ht to ask the Lodge to incur the expense and trouble to compel the the Inspector to release him. Upon this letter the officers of the Lodge visited him, ! and found him to all appearance perfectly sane, and upon enquiry of the officers of the asylum they made to us the same statement that they made on oath before his Honor,that Cowan was a fit subject to be discharged 18 months ago, and expressed their surprise that he had not been discharged. The Lodge officers then wrote to the Inspector requesting an interview, which was granted on March Ist. At this interview we informed Mr. Turton that we were the representatives of the F.F. Lodge, and applied to him for particulars respecting Cowan, and the reason of his detention in the asylum. 1 He stated to us that the poor man would never be fit to be at large, and he had medical testimony to that effect. He also produced a book wherein he had entered an elaborate ' statement of the particulars of Cowan's first attack of insanity, particular stress being laid on any little matter which would prove it to ' be dangerous for him to be at large. Ha : stated that in conjunction with Mrs. Cowan, ■ in her house a short time back (evidently 1 since the man's recovery), he had written 1 these particulars for the express purpose of producing them in evidence should any [ attempt be made to obtain his discharge. He also stated that his reasons for keeping him there were that Cowan's wife and family were , afraid of him, and admitted himself thai; he considered that he (Mr. T.) would be in dan ger if Cowan was at large. He also admitted 3 that he had refused two applications, one ' from the Rev. McKinnon ani one fnjni Mr. Dyer, with offers to enter into the required t bonds fir Cowan's release ; but he said 1 he had refused them both, and could under the Act refuse any number of bond?. 7 The reasons stated for refusing the on" • >f those gentlemen were that the Rev McXi:.... ;i was a poor Presbyterian minister and could not afford to pay, and Mr. Dyer was of drunken " -habit?, and Cowan would be likely to relapse into his old habits if he went to live with him, although we have ascertained since that Mr. c Dyer is a respectable settler, and has been a total abstainer for the last twelve years. He also stated that only a few months back Cowan was a dangerous lunatic, although this has been denied by the officers of the asylum, . and explained away by himself before the V judge. He also said that he would never consent to his release, and would oppose any k uttempt to obf am his discharge. He likewise toid us that Bishop Cowie had interested 1 himself about Cowan, and offered to take or , send him to Norfolk Island, to which he I (Mr. T.) was very agreeable, and would 1 have allowed him to have gone because, c as he said, it would have been impo3 ---■ sible for him to have got away from r there as there was only one outlet, and that was guarded. For some reason this arrange- I ment fell through. We then visited Mrs. 3 Cowan, Mr. Turton offering to accompany us, j Mrs. Cowan abo gave the same reasons for refusing to sign his release, to tlie effect that i sho was afraid of him, although she admitted 1 to us that he had never attempted to injure s herself or the children. She also said that he t would be a burden on her if he was out of the ) asylum, and she would have to work to ieep 1 him. Finding the statements of the Inspector c at variance with that of the officers of the asylum, we deemed it necessary to take s further steps in the matter. We sent two medi t cal gentlemen to visit Cowan at the asylum, 3 and upon their certificates of his perfect - sanity, and their opinion of his unjust deten y tion, we brought the case before the judge. c On the case being heard on the first day, 3 evidence was given of which no doubt you are familiar, all going to prove that the man should have been discharged afc least 18 months i ago. The case stood adjourned to give an c opportunity to the Inspector and Mrs. Cowan 3 to state their objectiona, if any, to his dia • charge. Mr. Turton made a statement to his c Honor, unfortunately not on oath, to the f effect that he had always been favourable to s the man's release, and admitted that for the last two years he considered him fit to be at i large, but he would not take the personal re r spousibility of discharging hita. He also told a his Honor that ho had advised the officers of ) the Lodge to take these proceedings to obtain s the man's dischai'ge, which is contrary to fact, r as ho certainly did throw every obstacle in our 1 way, and was at great pains to point out to us the almost insurmountable difficulties, and the hopelessness of our succeeding in obtaining Cowan's discharge against his opposition, in stead of (as we consideredwat the time) his c pointing out the easiest ana least expensive a method of effecting that end. He also told the r Judge that patients were never discharged from the asylum even if cured unless friends j are prepared to take them out and look after f them ; so that if a person is placed there in j a fit of delirium, unless claimed by those who r put him in, it is in the power of the Inspector , todetainhim at will, even againsttke certificate 0 of the medical Superintendent. He also . stated to the judge that no one had ever _ applied either directly or indirectly to obtain s Cowan's discharge, and he had never been p offered a bond, which is contrary to his state- V ments to us, and we are prepared to deny r the same on oath* t Now, sir, do you not think that this case ■ should be considered as one affecting the 1 community at large; and whether it is Aot 1 hard that a Friendly Society should be put 3 to the expense of nearly £40 to obtain the 1 liberty of a maa unjustly detained in i\ 1 G-overnment Asylum. We believe bad ift J been a private institution heavy damage/,/ 3 could have been obtained from the proprieto-.l ' We remain, '; Tours &c, ) Amsed Reynolds. C. P. HULBERT.

THE EVENING STAB, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1872

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RELINQUISHING BUSINESS. H^fT" FINAL NOTICE. ejgfji R. HOBBS XTTILL offer for the next EIQ-HT WEEKS * * (unless disposed of during that time), the whole of his very large Stock of G-ENE EAL and HOUSEHOLD DRAPERY, an<? MEN'S and BOYS' CLOTHING-, at very low prices. Also (now opening) ex ' NAOMI,' a Large Assortment of Ladies' and Girls' WATERPROOF TWEED JACKETS and MANTLES irom the same House in London as those which R,H. had last season, and which gave such universal satisfaction. A Large ar.d Choice lot at 12s. 6d. each, and Girls ditto at low prices, as the whole must be cleared out within the next few weeks. French Merinoes, Flannels, Blankets, and all WINTER GOODS at clearing-out prices. Country orders promptly attended to. March 12, 1872. .jgj, JCATEE (late Crombie's) EOTAL ' • FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY Queen street, Auckland, has much pleasure in inform ing his friends and the public generally that lie has purchased the Photographic Business so long carried on by Mr. Crombie ; and having secured the services of M.. C. s late Manager, he feels warranted in stating -—— tnat they will receive every civility and attention as well as lirst-class and artistic portraits at his hands ■^ and that no pains will be spared to give entire satis- H faction. J. 0. begs to announce that his arrangements m for taking Instantaneous Portraits of Children are now ■ complete.



QLSON'S TOMATO SAUCE. The mmenso success attending the introduction of this new local industry will alone testify to the high estimation in which it is held. During the last year the proprietor was scarcely able to supply the large demand, and has in consequence made extensive alterations and additions to his Factory, so as to be enabled to keep the market well supplied. No one who values health and appetite should be without a supply of this really health-restoring and agreeable condiment. Sold everywhere in Bottles with the name of IT. OLSON on wrapper and stamped on bottle and stopper. Auckland, 10th February, 1812. NEW ZEALAND FERNS, at T. CRANWELL'S, Domain Road, Parnell, where may be obtained some choice collections of the above, carefully fixed, and preserved to retain their natural form and colour. " For a drawing-room table no more tasteful ornament could be found. Especially suited for presents to English friends."— Southern dross, November Ist, 1871. "The mounting of the specimens of ferns is ex tremely careful and effective, and the book itself is exactly the kind of thing to chose for a present."— New Zealand Herald, November Ist, 1871. May be had also at the principal Stationers in town WANTED KNOWN.—Just opened, ex Naomi, a Choice Selection of Gentle man's Undershirts in Merino, Silk, &o. ; also, New Hats. —S. Ooombes' City Clothing Mart, 80, Queen street. THAMES ADVERTISER, PUBLISHED DAILY, IS the oldest established Journal on the Thames GoldfteldSj and having the largest circulation is the best medium for advertising. PRICE TWOPENCE. Advertisements and Subscriptions received at the Evniwj Star Office. TRI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPER. PRICE TWOPENCE. THE COROMANDEL MAIL WILL SHORTLY BE PUBLISHED THREE TIMES A WEEK in an enlarged and improved form, and under a new proprietary. The MAIL will be found an excellent medium for advertising. Advertisements will be received in Auckland 'by Messrs. Reed and T!rett, Evening Star Office, and at the Thames by Mr. Wilkinson, Advertiser Oflice. NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. TT is requested that all advertisements, except those of only a few lines, will he sent in not later than 2.30 p.m., and short advertisements, " Wantcds," S{e., not later than 3 p.m.



City Council Office, Aucklaud, April 4, 1872. MERCHANTS, STOREKEEPERS, find others are requested not to Supply any Goods or Materials to persons making appli cation for the same on behalf of the City Council unless on production of an Order signed by authority of the Council. R BRODIE, Town Clerk,