SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

-Bir!SI'BET: This evening, 7.19. SUJS'-EISE:- To jnc>-. ow m<".nin». -i. 10 inGfi v- ATF.H: This even'ny, 8.25.; 'to-TnoTrow morniag^-' - 5

ARRIVALS.

En«iv, schooner, Mnv;'Ti, from Dnrtedin JuliivPnco, schooner, Queen, from S^moa piirt/sc^'.o-'.iicr, CeTeni; Irom T^yttelton' Sruc/I'.'.". "''.oolier, Smith, from Napier Colonist, -'h^mer, Palmer, fro jo NapV1, via E-r:t KfcntfwovUt, from Samoa and Tonga Vrince if "\V;.Tts, cuttov, Santy, from Sydney * Strat'lJn;u''ri Nohooncv, Mucliay, from Dunodin. F6rt«a'-, col»oo»«±7:J?Ml6er; ]rom B:iy ot Is*.ands. yijjgenf,,/Hitter, from TfU'ranga '■■. jt^ySowe-i, p.r., . urn Hot Spri'ga

DEPARTURES.

Cftowena, 5.!)., MOwjor. for Kir sell jj-ffi-Un+hfi ,Cm ", s.r , •, for Tawr?ng.v j^ ; achoone", for \V'»n arei Pwi 4B —k"V r ~ ~~ — - * inipi->"

IMPORTS.

£t? Per Energy, from Dunoclin :'• 260 sacks 'r*~ 300 bags flour, 115 baga oatmeal, 84 boxes clothes pegs, 50 boxes tea,: G-. W. Owen; 100 a&eks flour, 10 boxes tea, order ; 49 kegs jvAil.s, E. Porter & Co. ; 36 churns, T. & S. ) Morrin ; 10 casks poi'k, 10 cases axe handles, \ H. B. Morton ; 323 bags iiomy B. Tonka ancl Co.; 50 sacks oatuieiu, J. C. Morrin; 101 boxes tea, i ca?,e confectionery, Brown, Barrett & Co. : 6 bhcls> beer, Williams and i Go". ; 24 seeks pollard, 24 sacks barloy dust, Cr. W. Biimey; 215tiagsoats, Capt. Martin ; •20 sacks, SO bags flour, Barnett &Levy,— \ Gr.W. Owen, agent. , £er Julia Price, schooner, from Samoa— ftß&B™ '"tons copra, 2 tuns cocoanut oil, Moses P^David.^ —M.rNiccol, agent. V Per schooner Stratlmaver, from Dunedin ::. ,\ 15 casks beef, 20 lthds. ale, 7 cajsesfale, jT, !r^\jJei^; lOpkgs turnitivre, E. Gibbons ; 2 casks X flams. G. W" Binney ; 7 bars iron, T. and S. Morrin; 4 pieces chain, s'coils Tope, H. 3?J AmK'ison and Co.; tSO bags oats, J. Robertouj arid Co. ;„ 3 casks beef, G-, W. Binney; 30i ibags datmeal, B. Tonka and Go. ;-460 cacks* f ni) »72 sacks pollard, G. W. Ka^.-WV. For Grahamstown : 200 bags flour, : * \~ >• - 2?,{) bags flour, Osbornc Bros.; 110 3^T oatmeal, 15 bags wheat, *$ schooner, from Tonga : -< & (Jo., agents. ' nga is expected here j£J|even 1869, and I be a great '"'kingly illus '% A letter :.'.'"%tioßtdapi ;s^aiw>, the indeed •n mid ■isrday i left ■■.■-:. -j - • /:■ ■ ~-. p fc> --';. ■-. *■'■'■• "-■■ ln.!>, % %i . >A v>- * ."•rs not been kerthqd I'^1 '^ ,_.. f t?" .':■£* winds blowing;. As =k «»; xiie weather moderates she will be hauled-alongside the wharf. The schooiier Energy jirrired thxs ; naorning ftom Dunedin, having left that port on the • * 16th instant. c, iThe schooner Julia Price; Captain Qneen, . arrived this morning from Samoa Ivith the foUoTvingpassengers:—Messrs Thoa. Stewart, "-Moses ..Davicl, Andrew Jackson, James Irvine, and Mrs West. The schooner left Samoa on the 16th December, was becalmed several days. Passed the island of Tonga on the 23rd inst., and encountered strong E. S. E. winds from thence. The; lioissionary barque John Williams, belonging to the London Mis sionary Society, was lying at Sanioa when the - Julia Price left. The schoonerKenilworth, Capt. McKenzie, arrived this morning from a cruise among the Islands. She has made the passage from Tonga in eight days, and brings one pasl ■enger, Mr W. Cruickshank, The schooner Fortune arrived this morn ing from the Bay of Plenty with one pas sengers, and the following cargo :—-33 casks whale oil, 1001bs : bone, 2 bags-wool, and four pigs, consigned to J. S. JVacfarlane .and. Co. The ketch Forest Queen has cleared-out-. wards,forEussell in ballast.. •The brigantine Flirt arrived this morning from Lyttelton with 1415 sacks . consigned to order.—D. H. McKenzie*agent.,, The schooner Colonist, arrived this morning! from Napier : and the East Coast with two; passengers and the following cargo:—2s bales wool, 13 casks pork, 27,. bags fungus, 25' bag's grass seed, Owen and Grahajn';s.9i head cattle, order. — M. Niccol, agent. II \ The schooner Saucy Lass, from jNapier and the East Coast, brings 2 tons soap, 3 boxes bones, 43 ; hides, 4 casks beef, 15^bales and' 20 bags wool, 350 bags fungus, 10 hides,. 3 • bundles sheepskins, 94 livejpigs, 15,000 feet; tmiber;~PaGsengers : Mr Watts: and ; two natives. .

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails win. Clo^e ah Under j— . . ■ Fpr y Thamc", this day-, at 6.30 p.m. and on Thursday, jjjfi >,10, SO a.m. and 5.30 p.m. > .£*.qfjjkoma.n&el, on Fi May, 3rd inst., at 1. SO p.m. jWHEi'-Vjrgaii r-sr Viir.ent, on Thursday, 2nd fnst., at dam. For., Wac^anui, per St.. Kilda, on Thursday,; 2nd 1 inVant. ■'•"■ ■ ' -.. ,-.■•■ ,• .■•■ j :tA.t • Fdf Ifapierand South' 4provincj'i^ per,D^cot.li, tlx ' 'hVuraa/der/avrlva'.; ■'hh .■■■. .;.-■. ■-... • For TarinaM,"Southern provinces, Victoiia. South Au iralia,- and Tasmania, immediately after arrival ■ of'the DaCotah from■• Honolulu ; or'ifjthttt vessel should not arrive previously at 10 a.m.on Thursday, Jan. 2.. ,-,, . ■~:.-..; ~;;,./ ~■' , u .i. the undermentioned places, per p,s, Nevada, on Saturdey, 4ih January, as follows :— For' Sandwich Islands; United States, British Cen ; :tr»l, and South America, and the United Kingdom, ■, at 10. SO a.m. i • * Late, leitera bearing an additional fee.of fid ' wilf be received | until .11 »-m-» rod by the Mail ' T F I^ent on board the steamer until tlme-of safting. j xb .W^^Sj^ ma » s wh 'ch «*e rfuVJy mrde up at !ho ' S. & fl- IliMiini''" v- w'" y/i C' >O'' A to-'Jav (Tuesday), T^J^u^^l^^Sm^ areJtiformed that new boxes ' •ombl^ner, SnWP VIIJ.APB Jii" r,.'

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

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1872.

For the c&tue that lacks Assiataam, For the wrongs that need resl>tanG», For the future in the distance. And the good that we can do.

At the present moment the Provincial Gframmar School occupies a prominent position in the public mind. One or two sores have caught the eye, and there is a general uneasy feeling that something is wrong, which we have no doubt will b3 allayed by the assurance that the institution will be treated " with a firm hand." The ulceratipns which have, appeared exter nally are only, symptoms, and their, suppression, like the suppression of all other symptoms, will only make the evil within more dangerous. JP<^ several years .we have inveigheu against this institution as, being •par excellence the abuse of the province; but it is too safely en trenched . behind the protection of .powerful friends for our attacks on it to have any immediate effect. It«is based on simple public robbery, and its success as an educational' institute would be the triumph 1 6t* wrong. During the years in which not one farthing has been expended on the 'support of Common; School education in the city this class institution," for the .education of the children of \ tjie wealthier classes alone, has been re ceiving enormous annual subsidies from the.public estate. This most im pudent ; proceeding has gone on un checked, and the parents of the child ren,; sharing in the plunder. have resented as personal affront any calling in question of the pet and model in stitution. fjj|s. had reached, we were tpld^ the very acme of perfection. Iss teacherd were unimpeachable; its ddu r cation unsurpassed; and the i exclusion; of "dirty little boys " }^|j not ostensibly held forth as one of its I main' qualifications, there cannot be a doubt* that .the chief element of its . popularity cbußistedirithefactthat while, 1 "*>~"--* f *~ ■ -, ■ • ' J !

it is liberally endowed by the people's money, common boys aye adroitly but effectually excluded. Now if turns, out that the education was rotten, and' that this rottenness must Ife'removed with " a firm hand." One or two teachers will probably be made the" scapegoat; on their heads will be con fessed the sins of the establishment, and they will be driven into the wilder ness. Then it is hoped that the public anger will be turned away, and the in stitution will bask in the beams of popular favour... No one will call-in question the systeni which allowed. : this evil to continue till drawn into I the light by the rude hands of exami-, ners from without. It was all in con sequence, forsooth, of divided authority and other circumstances beyond control, and .the "firm hand" will be eillployed in directing the lightnings of the people's anger on the heads of the poor devils who are to be sacrificed for the salvatioii df the' institution, l^ut will the " firm hand ": be laid on the institution itself, com prehending Principal, system, and all ? Nothing of the sort. There is not in the Board of Education a man with pluck enough,to dare attempt it. It requires something more than ordinary in a man to grapple with an institution so protected. The Principal is a near relative^o the Superintendent, and his position is impregnable so long 03 the social and political influence attaching to the Superintendency resides in the present hands; while the parents,whd,: without any sense of shame, sharfe in the benefits conferred on a class at the expense of the whole people, foroi a cordon of safety around the Grammar School to attempt to break which is personal enmity and social ostracism. In such circumstances no " firm hand " will wrest the Grammar School out of the hands of monopoly, and give it ty> the people, until the measure of its iniquity is full. Its ulcers will be healed, and discontents will bo hushed, and a teacher now and then will bo thrown for the dogs to worry. But it is a radical change of the principle on which the Grammar School is based that is demanded, ancl which sooner or later must be effected. At present its mission is merely to swallow up »11 prirate academies, some of them as we now know giving a much more satisfactory education than itself. For this purpose by the grace of the province it gives munificent salaries to teachers who waste their "tiino in im parting the veriest elements of learning to the bates and sucklings of know ledge ; while it places an embargo on the poor and lowly in the form of school fees which absolutely prohibit their approach. If the Board of Edu cation would only show the bravery of men, admission to our highest educa tional establishment should be obtain able by brains —not gold. There is an abundant field for private and select schools in the city, and they should be allowed to flourish. To these let those go whose parents can pay for the privileges, but the doors of the Public Grammar School should be free to own talent, love oi learning, or ambi tion, points him out aa likely to reap the full advantages. Will the Board of Education attempt such innovation ? They dare not. They will heal the external ulcers with a "firm hand;" they will save vested interests} and they will consolidate an institution that in its present condition is a shame "to the province.

We wish we could help Mr Inspector Gbldie in the endeavour to discover the person that deposited fish in Jermyn-street. He is in a state of keen mental distress, and we verily believe he is prepared to sacrifice anything and everything to get at the man that committed such a breach of the ethics of all decent society. The fish have been removed, and even the last fly that hovered over the place, luxuriating and revelling on the odoriferous exhalation, has flown away to pastures new; but Mr Goldie feels that the stainis not obliterated from the public conscience, and, with professional ardour, he pantßwith ' anx | efcy to Ffree the community from the presence of this, in his estimation, the most dangerous form of criminal. The man» it appears, is impossible to find, unless j^±s£^ I&^ o £* < JSs from this indication, or from ocular observa tion, can tell us who carried stinking fish to Jermyn-street, and left them there, it will; afford us Sf a*/ lefiY? Hh ? t]J e T dima of conveying to Mr Goldie a balm to the sorrow ing spirit of a most deserving but at present most unhappy public officer. ; At the meeting of the Board of Education this afternoon, Mr F. J. Moss was appointed Secretary to the Board, at a salary of £300 Per a? nT> I^\ appointment will give general satisfaction to the public. fa _. . . ~-.,-,.,. ~ ~ i n Mr Lawrie's paddock, Poinsonby Koad, to-morrow. The goods remaining from the Christmas-tree and.fancy sale, recently held maidi naid, of B? ho(i 1 funtla ' will be offered tor sale at the ieast. -■■■. ■> •. . .. ■ >".•> .A. Provincial Government e«^ He, con taininff various public notifications, was published to-day. The prizes at the st; Matthew's School w ill be distributed on Monday next on the opening of the school. They consist of a handsome collection of books. The w^ter-carts will again be in full play Jo-morrow. A new Galifomian pump has been made.%«nd will be erecced alongside the fi^.marke fr. Cisterns are in course of erection, from which the water-carts will be filled, and the antideluvian pump on the wharf w/ u now be dispensed with. The official inspection of the mailsteam-; ship Nevada took place to-day Mr James Stewart, C.E., Government Inspector of steamers, was engaged for several hours ex amining the1 vessel's boilers and machinery.; A large number of new tubes have been put ™ andthe vessel will leave our port in a. SSSSS available engineers and boilermakers in town Being kept fully employed oiybhe work, :- "***£'■■■■, :.;zT- ■" !

■<.aVday js.tlidlftst clay of lS72!i arid no doubt the death of the old year. and> the) advent of the now one will be celebrated to night ma variety of ways. On "vessels :.n harbour there will bo the clanging of bells and the firing of rockets. Crowds of people will as usual parade the wharf, and many with noisy bacchanalian sort^s will bid farewell to the old, and- welcome the-new,- In private houses some will gather together and pv.ca. the interval between 1572 and 1873 to. con versation ; others in dancing or sieging. There are many, however, who will spend it in watching and praying. Services of this cha racter will be held at St. Sepulchre's Church, commencing at eleven o'clock j at tlie Pitt §tree£ Wcsieyan Church, also 'commencing at eleven, and terminating a iew minutes after midnight; and no doubtf at other churches and chapels which have not given public intimation of the fact. The question raised by ' Diogenes,' in a letter published by us to-day, will have a rather damping effect upon those who regard the atrok6 ;of midnight as completing the year ;, but.our correspon dent's remarks are not likeiy to disarrange the programme usually followed on the . last night of the year, and which we have sketched above: ij c), ; ; i :

Tlie usual quiet of the North Shore was yesterday afternoon disturbed by the report that a man of weird aspect and insane had been seen iff one of the oiaysa at the end of the outer beach. He had covered himself up in seaweed, and on beiu^; disturbed by the presence of some lads exhibited a sword, or huge knife, till then concealed, coxQm&cec! eating clay, and generflly demeaning Ivimself in a manner calculatod to excite apprehaHsion. He was subsequently observed parj£,iiujrapidly -along the ;|)sach; hia sword protrudiiig froiii beneath hil ragged and very dirfcy. coat, while his whole aspect betokened that he was either a lunatic or in d^iftmrr. tremens. Ife waa also observed croivrfiing dowff at~ik&. back of one of the lirtusiga in the district as if for concealment, and the state of affair 3 was no<i ; bettered by the stateraeni that a strange form had been aoen pwyliiig about the verandah: and yards of a ngighboiing residence! in the silent watches <A the tvra nights preceding. Hie lasjs heard of ttie wild-looking wanderer was that lid w&j seeh concealing h'mself among the dense teiv-tree of the ecliool reserve. Two residents essayed to search for him, baft' the night coming on they desisted. Meantime the"* tidings had spread, and when the. shades, of evening h?.J settled on the landscape a. large -body of men was sco«, defiling along the shore, -vviich turned out to be a regular army of raiident^ who had mustered for the search. It was of" course too late to continue the work, but the muster spoke volumes for the zeal with which the residents in the district can turn out when occasion requires. But more admira tion was due to the weapons of offence and defence with which they were t prepared against the perilous lunges of tile maniac's sword. One gentleman bore a'o£t a huge piece of timber like unto a weaver's beam, the sight of which would strike terror into the heart of the bravest; while each of the others, bonded together for mutual protec tion, bore weapons of every conceivable variety, but most murderous aspect. Well it may be for the poor unfortunate, night hod thrown her mantle o'er the scene, for what would one feeble sword have availed against a host. The army retired to quarters for the night, not without a sense of the ridiculous at the fearful onslaught intended. But apart from the qunintness of the incident, it is rea'ly dangerous that such a person should be at large in a populous district where there is neither watchman nor constable, nor any protection whatever to women and children, or even to the lords of creation when embraced in the arms of Morpheus.

To-morrow being New Year's Day the fol lowing water excursions w'll be made :—TLe steamer.Golden Crown will 'cave the Queen street wharf at 11 a.m. and proceed to the Kawan, where, with tho spocirl perm—Sion !of Sir..Qtorge Grey, the exeat rionats rail, "be'1 i permitted to'land. Four h&miw"! be aJlowe(L^|^|hore, and the steamer will leave; fßgtMi at 5 ixm^rHßJy^^^ rive in Ariekkud. at 7.30 |>.ni. The fare' there mul ba;;k ha? beeTi fixed at the low charge of half-a-crown, and children under twelve years of age will be conveyed free of charge if aceomp&nibd by1 their pafen' -~ The. steamer Royal Alfred w rU run dtn'ng the day betwen the wharf ami Lake Takapuna, commencHjj at 10 a.m. aud rnakin''Lwo sub sequent trips at noon and 2 p.m. The return tickets for the excursion will be charged two shillings. The p.s. Challenger w.'ll al.o be laid on for Lake Tatapuna, and will leave the wharf at the same hours as the Royal Alfred, her fares being fixed at eighteen pence. On the following day (Jan. 2,) the p.s. Golden Crown ?s announced to run a cheap trip to the Hot Spr'ngs and back, : leaving the wharf at noon r.nd returning at 5 p.m. The faro 3 will be the fame as to the Kawau. .

When does the New Year commence? Writing upon this subject our correspon dent "Diogenes" says:—"The year con sisting of 305 i days, and that year being Leap Year, it follows an a matter of cource that the new year does not commence until six a.m. on the first of January (to-morrow). I therefore think it would be more consist ent if our churches held their . closing services at the correct time instead of a fictitious' one, and I am sure the dissipation at midnight would be avoided by itn due observance, and orderly people allowed to rest peaceably in bed instead of bemj dis turbed by revelry, and all ■would enjoy the holiday more thoroughly after a good night's rest."

Tauranga must be a lively place for newsT' The erection of. a town pump has furnished; the local paper with a subject for about a score of paragraphs, and several leading^ articles. The pump has at length been: erected.

The city water supply is at present,bo inadequate to the wants of the public that it has been found necessary to partly dis continue from to-day the supply hitherto; afforded to steamers. Vessels using high pressure engines,: however, may still.obtain water from the city.

The Queen of May, Gold Mining Company held their annual meeting at GrahamstOwn yesterday afternoon, when the reports and balance-sheet were adopted. A report npon the mine spoke favourably of the pi'ospects of the company.

The Caledonian, Golden Crown, and Cure mines were flooded with gas to such an extent on Saturday that the lower workings had for some time to be abandoned. Three men working in the lower level of the Golden Grown were suddenly enveloped in gas ? and experienced great difficulty in escap ing from the mine. They reached the sur face in an exhausted condition.

There was a moderate attendance last night at the City Hall to witness Charles': Panorama of the Franco-Prussian War.; Many of the views are superb works of art and. true tp nature. ; A brief, but interesting; descriptive lecture accompanies the progress j of the scenes comprised in the panorama,; which is also interspersed with songs from! such artistes as Messrs Small and Margetts, and ;; Miss Florence; Beresf ord! The' exliibi- j tion is well worthy of a visit. To increase! the attractions gifts are distributed nightly! amongst the audience, j

■ Mr A^ 1). Young's tender, £262, for the erection -of the JWsabytwlftn Church at Goto* lnandel has been accepted,

Mr G Munro, M.fLlt., beet known as "The Silent Member," has been entertain in^ his constituent". at Kirkton, near Whatigarei, v/ith a denunciation of every ■administration that bar; ruled the colony, lie told them tttat he docs not like the colonial fcorrdw'ng policy; nor the Proving cial education rate. . ,

Messrs Element, Oalder, and Sutton's iron smelting works at Onehunga are now: in full operation. About 5001bs of good mallahle iron were obtained yesterday, from Taranaki sand, The Hax works wellj and it is believed that the problem of how the ferruginous sands of the colony may be utilised hag at lentil been satisfactorily settled.

Mr Hoskins, who is at present inDunedm, received a complimentary benefit after re covering from an attack of his old: complaint, with which he was laid up for several days. He commences a short season in Wellington about February With a gdod company, formed in Duriediri. .-; ■ ■ . ■ •

- The Commissioner of Stamps notifies that t penalty of £50 may be imposed upon persons "Uiity di circulating Australian bank notes fn this colony withoiff pdji%.:the,duty due thereon.. : . •'■... •'■.;...■; t< ■ '■■:-■

A man named William Harris fell off Kaihu wharf, AVairoa Iliver, Kaipara, and was drowrfed; At an inquest, held on the body evidence wan given to the effect that deceased had a debauched appearance, and was just recovering from a dru#l||a spree. .., ' The prizes won at "tie late Caledonian <*airion were distributed last night by Mr J. S.. Reid, ike secretary, at the Occidental Hotel. After this busiu'ess had. been dis posed of the Calcutta Sweepotake on the i Elleifilie Handicap was drawn. Great interest •wipeai-cul to be taken iri the proceedings. jffevfVeep amounted to £41, and the sale of the h£ rses realized £40 os. . ; ; T^A-entertainment at the Prince of Wales Theatre^ with its varieties and marvels, was repeatecf 3* nigh* t° f"1 admiring audience. The w^ngirous Japanese went through theirex iragrdina^y performances with -the same activity afhd adroitness as oil previolis : night3 f and werjb received with unmistakable signsl of approbation,. 'There was the pleasing Karra*Kaini, tines great Tpon Daika, and the aerial flight of Chicago.H|The learned tnpn : kej' repeated their 'musical and'other, feiiiis ; ana those- exciting voeiilis93," Messrs. Small jjiti Margettc, .again amused the company with their lively comic sbngo and witticisms, and at the close every attendant appeared highly satisfied with the evening's entertain ment. ._ . a

The Saturday Revieto has coined a new phracc—the " kingdpm of petticoatery."

We regret to learn that the Rev. D. Jones, of St. Mathew's Church, has bsen seriously ill since Sunday last, suffering from -disease of the heart. The rev. gentleman, is much better to-day, and it is hoped will soon be sufficiently recovered to resume his clerical duticrj. . ....... - . s •- ■■•• •

A very suc^cos'ul Chris ';mM soiree [took place at'Panmure lust evening. There was a large attendance of visitors from Auckland, who spent a very pleasant evening. The llev. Father Fynes, vicar, of Howick and Panmure, was the life of the party, and his exertions to keep everyone in ~ood humour could not fail to succeed. , The musical por tion of the entertrinmeuj waswell rendered, and the dancin3 that followed wa3 heartily joined in by all. V .

The value of re-vaccination has received illustrations during the recent Frcnco- PvuMiau war. Every man who enters the German army is compelled to undergo re vacciuation, and the total number of deaths from small-pox in that army during the war woa 263. On 'the'other hand, in the Trench Arnty, where, re-vaccination is not conipul sory,-the-number-of deaths, as stated by French, atfl&t^y, was r 23,4(>9.^ This teM ble difference,, says the Metlizit)^ nents of vaccination. Th 6 Dutch. Government has been warned by Germany that landed proprietora on the Prnqpian border who have harboured expelled Jefjuita. have aoted contrary to" in-, ternational law, and- unless they_ withdraw their protection theyv will bring down punishment upon themselves. Mrs Ella Gnitiger, of Cincinnati, sues for £2COO from each of the six saloon keepers who, have furnished her inebiiate husband his matutinal ti'jrjle foot. " v; \\ , Three Chinese have taken out a patent itt Paris for the invention of a new automatic and autographic continuous telegraphic instrument, by the rid of which apparatus the dispatch is transmitted to the receiver as an exact facsimile of the transmitter's

autograph

The soiree laat evening in connection with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was largely attended. Trays were amply provided in the school-room by Mesdamen Beveridge, Hay, Keir, Aitken, McGnffie, Kirkwood, Young, Stock well, Whitson, £ihd;-Sloane. The tea bein* over the*comp«iny proceeded to the church to listen to the concert and the melody of the new organ, which fully equalled the expectations of the members of the congre gation. The programme of the evening's en tertainment was especially interesting to the lovers of sacred music, and commenced with the lively "Wedding March" from the pen of the gifted Mendelssohn, -which was received with applause. • The choir of St. Andrew's, consisting of about thirty members, appeared in full strength, and evidenced much Careful training. The beautiful anthems from the same great composer, " O, rest in the Lord" and "Turn Thy face from my sins," were rendered with true sjiirit and feeling,' greatly to the satisfaction of the audience. The organists were Mr Culpan, jun. (organist, of St. Andrew's), aha Mr V. itice (organist of St. Sepulchre's). In the interval between the parts the Revi I). Bruce gave a succient account of the circumstances which led to their obtainment of the new organ. When in Scotland some months ago Mr Bruce met with a gentleman of the names of Holmes, and their conversation • turned upon music ; arid it j was considered that church p3almody' is much improved by the aid of ani organ. It was henceforth- resolved between them that an organ should be built ; that Mr1 Holmes should undertake the superintendence of the building, and that Mr W. S. Graham should watch its progress and afford such practical suggestions as might ueem desirable. ; The organ before them was the ; result, which he (Mr Bruce) thought would be of great service in assist ing in the psalmody. The second part of the programme included "I Availed for the Lord," "I will lift up mine eyes," "Thou didst not leave my, soul," and other sacred hymns and anthems. .' *He shall feed His nook was appropriately sung ,py Madame Moller.

The "Statesman's Year Book" for 1872 gives "the estimated population of Russia in Europe, including Finland and Poland, .at the date of the latest returns at 68,250,0(161 The area of the Russian Empire, including Finland, Poland, Russia and Siberia, is nearly 370,000,000, square, miles. Siberia and the Caucasus add nearly 9,000,CC0 to the popula tion of the entire Empire, which thus stands as nearly as possible at 77,000,000,

We observe by the Chrif-Mt-vrch Prem that amongst the exhibit.'] at (;hr. 4s-;tchurch Exhibition are some pacLager; of (( Williams' fire-kindler3"|m:ule m Auckland* from kauri gum scrapings, .with a highly pictorial and sensational -wood-cut iljusfetii-t? ye .of tie ■benefits arising from fche Use of them ; blacking by the same from Auckland, /with a flaming autograph of a gallinaceous exhibit starting b^ck in horror from hi* likeaes:; re flected in a highly polished boot.

There is general complaint m th<?'! Povfcrty Bay d'strict rogrrding the scarcity of labour. The Gisborne Standard sayf* Wool scourers, seed and harvest men, agricultural,- farm, and domestic servants, male and female, would find plenty of room and work if they would but come. I

- The residents! in Poverty Bay propose to petition the Gover :metit'; fpv compensation for losses sustained during' he wdf,

To gentlemen requiring fkst-class tobacco and cigars, if they would only visit Mra Sharped neat little American Tobacco and Cigar Divan (next Bank New Zealand) they may purchase the same cheiper than in any Other house in the city. No inferior goods kdpt itt stock"; would not purchase such for the public at any pr'oe, Oae trial is suifi. cient to guarantee a continuance of custom- Give a call.—Advt.

The tenders of Upton and Co. for stationery, W. Leys fof book-binding, and George McCasilin for carting, have been accepted by the Provincial Government tor the services of 1873. 50he following tenders for six months have also bsen accepted:—Kations for the gaol, Walter Paul; rations for lock-up aud bread for hospital, refuge, and lunatic r.sy lum, Thomas Teasdale ; prison and police supplier, Caleb Wood ; provisions for hospi tal,^ old men's refuge, |and lunatic asylum, J. U. Morrin"; immn and police supplies arid me:i for hospital and refuge, Caleb Wood ; meat for lunatic asylum, S< Walker; rations for sick and destitute, T. W. Doo nin ; co.-ls, Archard ard Brown.

The new education rate must be paid at the Provincial Treasury on the 3rd of Febru ary next.

jiln our paragraph^ noticing Mr K. Hill's letter yesterday, the quantity of earthwork wan erroneously printed 900 feet instead of 9000-

■Two young women were charged to-day at the Police Oourt under the Vagrancy Act with, having no visible means of, employment aud leading a disreputable life. They were each sent to prkon, but, &z his Worship remarked, "it is a pity we have no reform atory in the neighborhood where such young crer.tares might have a" cHance of improve ment."

We learn from reliable sources that the native meeting at Maungatautari in January will have no political importance. Manuhiri, the Kind's Prime Minister, hr.s intimated his determination not to attend the gathering, and ifc in very doubtful whether Tawhico will be prejsnt. Under these circumstance the Hon. D. McLean is not likely to go to the meeting, and it will resolve itself into an unimportant friendly koreoro, at which a large amount of food, with a proportionate quantity* of liquor, will be consumed. The " talk 1' will be confined to discussions relative to the leasin3. of lands,. and similar topics having no bearing upon the attitude main tained by the Kiri^ites towards Europeans.

The ratable property in the city of New -York is valued at £205,250,722. , No wonder f if with such a rate roll "Tammany riuga flourish."

Already Soo,,copies of, Reed and Brett's Auckland Almanac have been disposed of. It' is thought probable, from the present demand for this useful publication, that a second edition of it will have to be printed In order to supply the orders that are pouring in from all parts of the province.

The tidal phenomenon -on vl^ke Ontario ■vpiiich was '. noticed last Jui[e''".^lia» •s|Stt n appeai'ed.' The greatest flange in thel||j of the watwr "observed/js32 inches. 'sfiP* I^SSriS-¥€?y ipi6|ij-«lt'3 HTSeis" ttotKing vi%rf in the sun-ouadings to create the imt«|j^\. fjhenomenon.

. ThevMontreal library association wrangleth over the proposed introduction, of a billiard and smoking-room as an additional attraction to. young "nien. ~ ..,,

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

A meeting of the members of the Board of Education was held this1 afternoon in the Provincial Council Chamber'at two o'clock. Present: Mr John Sheehan (Chairman), Dr Campbell, hbn. Mr O'Eorke, Colonel Haultain, Messrs Clarke, Hurst, Boylaa, Philip-!, Firth, and. Beveridge. o 'j The report of the Grammar School not being ready, it waa proposed that. the report be discussed at the next 'meeting. ; Aifter some discussion upon the course of instruction adopted in the school, it wa3 proposed by Mr. Hurst, seconded by Colonel Haultain, and carried—"That enquiry be made whether or not primary education is givenin the Grammar School, previous to a diccussion thereon." .

Mr Hurst then moved—"That Mr Mosa be appointed. Secretary to the Board of Education at a salary of £303 a year." ,! In reply to Mr Bevetidge it was stated that the secretary's services would be fully devoted to the Board—the Board would have the power of dismissal. Mr Hurst's motion was put and carried unanimously, Mr Moss was therefore ap pointed Secretary to the Board. The appoint ment of an under secretary was next con: dered, wh*n, :

Mr Firth proposed—"Thai; no assistant secretary be appointed,'" which was carried.

[Left sitting.]

CURE GOLD MINING COMPANY (Limited).

MEETING THIS DAY,

The second bi-annual meeting of shareholders in this company was held at noon to-day in the large room, Insurance Buildings, George Williamson, Esq., in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed the directors' report, mine manager's report, and balance-sheet were submitted to the meeting. We make the following extracts from the report;-—

"The quantity of quartz raised and crushed during the half-year has been 1,730 tons, which has yielded 6,058 ozs. 19 dwts. 12 grs. of gold, equal to 3 ozs. 10 dwts. and 4g grs. per ton, and realising £17,583 Is lid sterling. " Dividends amounting to . £5,33.l jHa have already been paid, leaving a balance in hand of £5,727 Us lid ; from this balance your directors have declared a further divi dend of 12a 6d per share, payable 24th inst., making a total of 33s 6d per share. " The whole of the quartz raised has been taken from what is known as Golden Crown No. 2 reef. By a reference tothe working plan it will be seen that only a small portion of it has as yet been taken , out, and your directors look forward with confidence to bein£ able to pay regular dividends. " Upon the recommendation of the com pany's legal advisers your directors have been induced to allot 44 of the company's

" Report.

shaves to Messvs F^4^;f|jK^H"' "The honorariapi "refold ■■"«£j,,, ty\: requ -re 1 i > attend jfeo f^'Ak- U has induced your -.Yu'ectors '! * * s that the romxineratHJsa be ia^ea4i V"V! ■ B Mr Sur/eyor \ Wight's TeJKiSi ' I ■ nuiie vfoi, then read. ! Uabijities, Dr.: Amount paid ri&|£X' 1 ; shares, -5b per share, £2,0(M»;. can&' *3 ] i 7,os4ghat»H, .€590 lls ;.received f t(l ■ *;- : Agent of old Care. Company ■fiEE'H uiip Jd accounts, £21 0 43 M f wltt^'f** X, carried to new account, ';£&7sPjliSl '• » Total, 8,550 Oa ("id. Propeilf a^H- I mine, £2,000; expended pri4^S < H -C 550 7s; gold in hand, Kolifo^^^lll----— -. cxiii in bank, £49 i*s 4d. rS!S(M^St j (id. Profit and Loss Account :■—Dr>'! I v.'orkirjg the mine, t t,r,]~i 13si0d:<j Tj'i-*' j £8351 ]4s ; bakne^e to nevr^ebmnm- 11s lid. Total, £18,696 I*9s'9Sj"oS^ " from last lialf-y,e t .r, £911 IS S 6d'-'n^j of stable sold to Bed Queen 'GanfiaSw proceeds 708^- tofas tailiDgl' &]yne- ip" ' proceeds 6,088- %s. 9 dwts.M2 eS£; " £17,583 5« lid: Total, £18,696 iS Dividend Account:—Dr.: Dec 20 rriftL shareholders, £B,224>ls6d;Dec 20 WT ' unpaid, £127 12s Gd, Totdj £8 Ml'Sf* Robert Home, secretary; aHditedbyj^ Batger, and found correct. :. ; .if The reports and balancesiieet were pnfi the meeting. Mrdu Moulin strongly objected to fe honorarium to the dii%etKk^ '.baiig' 'itfereued'' Ito £2GO per annum, alleging tHat tHw Tae •■ at present proprietors of half the interest m ' the mine. He would movesa^natoendjiiait th:.t the-chiuse relating to th& be exp&j j^ from the Directors* "report. No seconder being found, the iaafiiife ' lapsed, and the adoption of the nportsand balance sheet were carried on the mojjon o f the Chairman, seconded by Jtfr J. Howsri This concluded the business, and,% nie«ting separated^ '

THE RACES.

NOTES AND ANTICIPATIONS.

A NOTES AXD.ANTICSPiTOWSt 'Jjmwrrow tlie ball starts rolling with the \ Mmlen Plate, which has attracted a good entry, ''including horses from-T&ranakif Tauranga, and Sydney, as well as.smz of • the best of our provincial-bred jcmtiite&i ,; and no easy matter will it be to spotfe winner, nearly every horse engaged beag more or less fancied by their owners and the public ; and as a good number of them h«e ' been trained at a considerable distance from town their doings nave bsen kept pretty dark. Atalaata, a, half-'si§ter to Sattelite, & about the best bred of the hunch ; she has been trained, and will be piloted by'Thorpe, which will be much in her, favour. I sun, however, inclined to think the company in the Produce, next day, will be more to her liking. Long Drive is fancied by his ownerand . tranicr, ispronouncedafinecolt,and£;oe3weZl, Eclipse is said to have alreadj; won'an ad vertised race, and, besides, was "fe^usKfieS at the last meeting held at Epsom for teig j falsely entered at a wrong age, so "mi"be a most unsafe horse to back .Banga/iCutts, a half-sister to' Manuka, avIII have a goal pull in the weights, being the only three-year old entered, and looks a good thinj onpaper to • beck; she should, at any rate, ran into, a C place. Ben Nevis is another of Diomecle's ■ stock, and cornea irom the jnost dangerous ■ stable that we" shall haivethm meeting, | and if he can stay . the .distance] ,aa well r.s he will go the pace, will commence a good innings fo^ Mr Walters. Bandarra-r imported from SySney—by Kelpie, the sire of Fireworks (one of the best horse* wer -'I breii in Victoria), is a wiry little horfce.'kaa plenty o( foot, will tur.i out in KK>d trim; ; So mv ■ nitnd mbre;, calculalial .to^^gl hff i■s O3grtic J a,!%than a weight-for-age-!^. -.; Blni't Eoimy, will .find the company* W g^^Bf for her ; anil last but not least U*M«i**e Taranaki mare Minna; by Nuteth. ■ -; Ttia / mare is said to be black- EagLe'a&&tys*g miJe, and will take a good deal!fflSßail#f . t Her condition, however, is by no, means pink. To sum up for ttis race I stall place them to come in— Ben Nevis ... .«,, ••!,,!," Minna •'••' — %. For the next race, the Volunteer' Cavalry I Plate, I have no hesitation h selectang tea | Nevis. Blaze's day is goto hyj paramatta | would be more at home among the Maoris, | and I do not think Daybreak mfl^eable-to |

go the pace. ~ ..,, The race of the day folio**; and of the | six horses handicapped five at least are lifceiy to come to the post,- the likely absentee & being *Malvina, reported amiss .a™* her ? presage from Nelson. Of th&e Mr-Walters mare Yatterina carries the top -weight 9st-, but is nevertheless first favour'te. Sheisni »; good fettle, and will run a desperate race. She is a small mare,; and her best*perform- ~ anceoin really good company have always been under a very light' weight. Flying W with Sat. 71b., if in anything .near his oia , form, would be a certainty j>but I regret to say ; that,. although he willjprobably. come to •;j the post, He''has a leg which has-alreaay i prevented his sporting owner giving *»"£ sufficient work to prepare him for atwp-mue race, and Will spoil all his chance> thiS^ne. Black Eagle, Sst. 21b., has beenmosMejueiW treated by the handicapper, and rafter his Greymouth performance will be very neaWV' if not quite, pulling this handicap ofi, not- y withstanding that' though his, condition can not actuary be called bad' he might at least be made 101b or 12lb better. Malvina, 7st 1/1» (shoixld she start), from her last performances would be yeryj dangerous, although accoram o I to weight for a§e she has to give weight to everything in the race. Still,' she meets Yatterina some pounds better than when they last met in Canterbury. Maori y\eett, 6st 51b, if he has not: lost all his pace,_ W^ make the nace hot as long as he lasts, put * ennot Have him for the absolute winner, MarseHa, 6st., is fancied by scane.goP^ | judges a^d certainly the weight Jjt*T stop hey.. Mr Paton has been for^T securing a* good jockey for her of ||||il , weight, still she is no faYOui-iteXj^fa^^^. I shall look for the result of tJ&jB between Yatterina and Blaci^E«3?W""| trust to the condition and foot of "? c ™^3 to pull her through: notwithstan(un o nei ;^ wei^lit. . . .. . f . 'A, i The Railway Stakes • wiU.be »_, %**_?? ,). Slander, an there is nothing in™e n ™fe e barring her stable companion, that can her gallop. St. Patrick is likely to oe best of the duffers. ; _ , Khnv to^~, The Innkeepers' Purse is more f™£fa | afford a good race, and tho^\f^s>. , as a certainty for Slander it is 4""^*^* ■ to end in a boil-over, as 71bs. extra g^ race into her, good mare though sheo . not assist her when meeting a fas-V - 2 i s o(> Creeping. Jenny, or in conceding rytf v Parawhlnua, ay iye a rold m aidenfromU. ()< ; stable, supposed to possess a foot. Paramatta will find the company good, and Yatterina is atnlikely w selected one of the stable. . j aV ' 9 -g*^ ]! A Pony Haqe will conclude *M.aa^f and, should be well contes^d,

THE EVENING SDAE, TOMt>£t, Mu&JBM 31, 1391



J COSGBAVE & CO.,1 Are now Selling— Good Stout Grey Calico, at 3\d . -■;.•-■ Best Scarlet Flannel, lightly damaged; at 713 " 43 dozen Towels, at 4id each 72in. Grey Sheeting, at^lCld';: , 72in. White Sheeting, at is:",; .- Heavy Flannel, at rls ''. j Marl Grenadines, at BJd '- Printed i)elains, at 3|d I Toilet Quilts, from Gs lid j Linen Iluck Towling, at Oid ;[ , . , _.. | 20 doaen.Ladies'.Stays, at .ls,Cd White Cotton Hose, from 3Jd White Marsella, 9JdJ Long Lace Oil!tains, fromj4s| 9d 50 dozen Parasols, from Is 3d each Muslin Curtains 6 yards,, from 4s lid per pair. NEAL'S NEW ZEALAND; SAU O B , Neftl'sJChutney Neal'B Oriental Pickles Noal'B Tomato &aucc I Neai's Curry Paste. Th&e New Zealand Manvfactures are found to be equal to the best and superior to most imported articles, and are sold at a Less Pbicb than Inferior • Fore'vi Goods, j 1 Sold Retail by tbe &roc<srs in town and country. j .' Wholesale by B. TO NX S & 00, , hlx TTIOTt EAST ' COAST £\a&y -V POVERTY BAY, & NAPIEP,. The schooner Colonist, 43 toils- register, Ja.mek Lewis, Master, will rail on FRIDAY. 3rd January, 1873. For freight or pas's 30 apply to the Master, on bOara'°rt° M.NICCOL, Agent. TO THE WOK X ING ME N OF AUCKLAND. I rjVRE BEST MOLE TEOUSERS ; in New Zealand can be bought at J. COSCRAVE ANDCO.'Sat6s. lid. - ■ • J^Of FUBLISHE D, ; the DECEMBER NUMBER '. OF THE \ PEESBYfERIAN MAGAZINE. UfTOIf & CO., Publisheia. BE AT BABa AI N S T!OES,-HOSIEKY, . " y.\ .- ■'■'-.■■ f';. ,-;"■ . "-..:""," *■. ■ . ... * Ayr*'' OI?IgKIT4I, DRAPKRY^