SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 7.18. HIGH WATER : This afternoon, 1.52.

STEAMER FOR THE THAMES.

Enterprise, 5 o'clock.

ARRIVALS.

St. Kilda, s.s., Flowerday, from Wanganui. Dauntless, schooner, Holler, from Tauranga. Tauranga, schooner, Sellars, from Tauranga.

DEPARTURE.

Go-Ahead, s.s., for Taranaki.

IMPORTS.

Per s.S. St. Kilda, from Wanganui: 14 head cattle, €00 sheep, 2 horses, order; 6 packages luggage, Clery. A. Buckland agent.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydney and Melbourne: Nebraska, p.s., to morrow ; and Hero, s.s., Oth inst. For Levuka : Janet Grey, schooner, Saturday. For Southern Ports; Wellington, s.s., on arrival of

Nebraska. For London : City of Auckland, ship, January 18. For Hobart Town : Bella Mary, barque, 7th inst. For Newcastle : W. 0. Wentworth, early. For Kaipara: Colonist, early.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

H.M.S. Blanche, from Wellington Napier, s.s., from Napier Nebraska, mail steamer, from Honolulu Caduceus, ship from London, sailed October 18 Lady Franklin, barque, from Newcastle Ferndale, barque, from Liverpool, sailed September 15 Edith, schooner, from Tahiti Phoebe, s.s., from Southern ports Keera, s.s., from Wellington Celestia, barque, from Newcastle Kenilworth, schooner, from Fiji Magellann Cloud, schooner, from Chatham Islands Amateur, schooner, from Lyttelton St. Mary, U. S. man-of-war, from Sydney

ARRIVAL OF THE ST. KILDA.

The S.s. St. Kilda, Captain Flowerday, sailed from Wanganui on the 3rd instant, at 3 p.m. ; crossed the Manukati Bar on f)he sth, at 0 a.m. ; and arrived at Onehunga at 8 a.m. Experienced strong N.W. and W. winds, with heavy sea throughout. Passengers: Mrs. Webb and child, Messrs. Andrews, Tingey, Montgomery, McDonald, and 2 stockmen.

JBnThe fine new schooner Dauntless arrived in harbour this morning from Tauranga, having made a capital passage. She brings 19 passengers, and a small Quantity of cargo. The p.s. Nebraska, now overdue with the English mail, had not arrived in' harbour at 3 p.m. The schooner Tauranga arrived fin harbour this afternoon, from Tauranga, with a few passengers.

MINING.

The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies ramed below ; —

dividends £ s: d: Poverty and Charleston 2 10 0 CAIiS

Date Jan 8

Ballarat and Eising Sun 0 0 6 Junction . ...0 3 0 Queen of the May ... 0 0 4 New Caledonia ... 0 1 0 Pickwick 0 0 3

Jan 5 Jan 8 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 11 Jan 13 Jan 18 Jan 21 Jan 25 Jan 24

Occidental KeyofTokatea Nolan's Candlelight . Sailor Prince ... Vulcan ...

.010 .003 ..010 .010 .050

MEETINGS TO COME,

Murphy's Hill Gold Mining Company, Metropolitan Hotel, Auckland, sth inst. Bank of Tokatea Gold Mining Company, Metropolitan Hotel, Auckland, January 13 Pride of the Hill, Company's office, Coroman del, January 8 Nonpareil, Mechanics' Institute, Auckland,

January 9 English, Company's office, Grahamstown,

January 9 Bendigo Independent, Company's office,

Grahamstown, January 9 Quebec, Cempany's office, January 10 Vulcan, GovernorJßowen Hotel,Grahamstown,

January 10 , Corinthan, Governor Bowen Hotel, Grahams-

town, January 11 Conquering Hero G-.M.C, 12, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, January 11 Hazelbank, company's office, Auckland, January 15 South Lead, Grahamstown, January 15 Neptune Gold Mining Company, Coromandel,

15th instant. Overland Eoute, Grahamstown, January 16 St Lawrence, Grabamstown, January 16 Bank of New Zealand, Grahamstown, Jan uary 16 Belmont, Grahamstown, January 18 Durham Ox, Grahamstown, January 18 Crown P-ince GKM.C, Queen's Ferry Hotel Auckland, January 18 Matawai, Company's sffice, Auckland, Janu»< ary 19 Morning Light Q-.M. Co., G-rahamstown,

19fch inefc. Californian, Governor Bowen Hotel, Gra hamstown, January 19 Virginia G.M.C., Grahamstown, January 22 Lowland Lass Goldmining Company, Jan. 24.

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND-STREET.

!?cr Thames :^;4 ■'■■/■ •'■» 4-30 p,xa.j and to-morrow, at 9 ?-0 v.m, aacl 5 30 p.m. For Opotiki per Qposfti, fais diy, at S p.tUr For li".apa!j£a,ecr;.> perLallaßookbjto-iaorro^ ai LO a.m. For Mahurangi, WarSwortij, May,&kana, <■• >~ p or r,.. ,■" ■•:. Lo«iiiorfow, at 12 a.m. Fo>: Fiji, "p'.r Janet Gray. «o-Uisrrow, at 11 B.m, ];V?i' G.'?horoc per Ta^era, fco-mowroWi at 11 a.m. For Ku^ml Kawa Kawa, etc., per worse* rang, t.em :■->■•"- "t 3 p. ru F«ir Itustell, p?r S«-s Q-uli, to»or.jri-ow, at :i p.m. . I?ai- Wanganui, per St. Kiid.«, oa Monday, afc '7 E.'T). ForKawau, Watigarei Kcad? ; .-:!».. perDufeej of Edinb'irgfi, ct> Bfoaday.. r,t 3 p.m, For Hobarfc Town, por Bella Mary, o Mionctsky nl nuoii, BVw Taraiiaki and Soufcbera P:\fince3, p«? :,! Wollington, impaadiutely aftor ;trri'ai of j rj a. Ne'n*"°'---.) ".utu iioiHHUfu Fvr tfjdnej ar/l Australian Oolouies, pc- n ■ Nebrisk 51., six hours after arrtvaJ. jf oT y_—p os t offlLces h»T<3 hgos>. opijac-:- j Whanar.nlri, Wangarei discrict i.nci sJ o t*he- *;or.iirujndel district. klf> ,; FATJE9 begs to inform tfcs tcsl-i-:-: j Ll;« ot Pariiell aad tho public geiicrn.i'y. j thLt affeay fcha Irt day of Jannar .?p '■ boioeaaaoirbv-icgcnrririodoc ; -^ ' -■«•- W/O/SK^ will i>c taken i>jr bius, -'-t. ■ ■ '• : • , that by strict attention to bitaii»?w, ffP^S SMMonableprottMi-: merit Sic same sapgort j a«i hi« predeseesor. | ITS retiring t/i^ ■ '>- '■■^ ";t! ' " -;' l:ii '(" o^med ox swioewfally for ho in»ur : ?aw, With fchoir p^ •ona.ge, »«*£<* f.f '..',,!. : ?Mu ?; -i tAypß) t who»lbni( sp* •-■. ■ ;-• n ...,., r t,,..:-, wUJ enable bhn to jj:y' iu&yv«iiti^^!i>n to »U wKo may bc< - ;

DEATH.

FOSSETT : On the 4th January, at her residence, New North Road, Eliza, tho beloved wife of Mr. Edwin Fossett, in the 43rd year of her age. The funeral will leave her late residence on Saturday, at 3 o'clock. Friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend.

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."

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1872.

If there is any one subject on which the present General Government can be regarded as deserving public thanks it is in relation to their system of Life Assurance. The mere institution of such a system may not be much in itself, but there has been exhibited a zeal in connection with the extension of life assurance among the people of this colony that is not often'character istic of Government business, and is in direct violation of our ideas of what is called the " Government stroke." In fact, looking at the efforts put forth for bringing the whole people within the list of the assured, one is inclined to believe that the system must be a source of revenue, for it is an admitted fact that no other cause prompts a Government' to zeal so much as the cause of revenue-raising. It is not so, however; for the rates are fixed at such an amount that according to death tables, they leave no margin fo profit, and very little indeed for th expenses of working the system. How ever sceptical of the motives of state craft, we cannot view this system established in the colony as other than one of pure beneficence to the people, and on grounds alone of public benefit we take another opportunity of cordially commending it to general acceptance. The peculiarity that chiefly distin tinguishes the Government system of Life Assurance in New Zealand is the fact that the premiums required are the lowest possible, and the security for the payment of the policy when it falls due, is the revenue of the colony. There are several reasons contributing to make the premiums at a minimum. "The Post Office system of the colony supplies local agencies all over the country at literally no expense to the working of the scheme. Lecturers and itinerating agents are employed it it is true, but this would be but a small item of expense if charged against the system which we believe it is not, but like the .Post Office agency is not taken into account in the fixing of the rates of premium. Again in almost all offices whether proprietary or mutual, the assurers are made to par ticipate in the profits. Under the Go vernment system they are not. This rr: -, so: "•''.''. "!■ "' handed < , a ■•.■■Hi <"b tion bir* i: la ■•■:•- '■ one of i the gn.-LiU-Mt me^t* ■■■■>. die \,. To auiitkeproC ■ A>'<-1\ are subsequently* ! !:c be [ivifjf.'l auiougtlt.-vidfcul; cs, these |per.3Oi>i 'iva&i of t.:>r< j, higher promiuia; and i' .>;ditional premium taa,'; re-alb ma^es fcho profit, [f premiums arc iixe«] stH-f'.h n aceor j dance with the/ca! c-.v 1 afci '•■,r-*< of the dv atio.i.i of tiumavi Kfo >:"'.•. ere can abjolutely be no proilts. V £20,000 ! arc to bo j'ceeivof! hy tstatod annual m-'/xneni.:' durir.3; life from 20,000 peo io •• ■ paid z e.ji :ii T.i M-rtion,to ■:■''!' rep'"'.■--Ci..vaciv'.;.s, ■on ;v'-3 occur •i ■; .o of.' ih.y.'iih, t'>o tfuui to be -.' by eso . ;-:<'■■.;.; am bo fixed by ■•; uarii.y v I,';" ; niornng }»reriisioii as ii \A\e. ■■ ;. b.e book ■' ich each ■ T:' imed to , duration ajni ' - ::■' it us v.i : c under all :i;v!, a,i so care : en c0m ...... : .'•■ ; ;itv..uj ims to be .. • are . ' known ; and " liberality" of a Life Assurance ply a myth. If a com ' it does one of two : i.'er does unsafe business . v i: away its capital and re .,,;, ~, v.r,-.;, an ted dividends, or it eh;t 'i.v f.duiLional premium over arui i ■■ ib requisite to cover iU-. risks oj -an life. How often U.v i'vr "■'■ co;:;- is taken is evident ..: fuiii o£ countless assurance :( r.,.r.ne!; that have brought misery in their train. We do not say that i-'Ls lafciw :;ourse is an improper one. aough, but it is not •,.-r< i;;\ ,-,.ri;;:nce. The company so j company, and per ■ionii'v- inf ■'* : iional premium have jhi? rulai ! m invested for them, Mid of CQ-JX3Q '3ap the benefits in

handsome dividends, which are blazoned forth as the results of successful life assurance, whereas it is simply successful speculation. Now it ap pears to us that the one great advantage in the assuring of life, and that which prompts almost every one that does insure his life, is the simple circumstance that on the paying of the premium an instantaneous provision is made for one's family. No one with sense would insure his life as a specu lation ; for if any man knew assuredly that he would live for twenty years, he could invest his premiums in a multitude of ways in the Colonies, which would bring in a larger profit than taking out a policy. In these circumstances persons knowing what they are doing would not pay an amount larger than that required for the one main object, with the intention that their money should be invested for them in trade or speculation. Any one would prefer keeping the amount and investing it for himself. Of course, it will be said, and is often said, that the large company can invest the sum with more advantage than an indi vidual. This is all very well, but people don't believe it; and everyone thinks he can do bettor with his own money than can anyone else. Under our Government Assurance system, a man pays simply what insures his life according to the tables of mortality, and the difference of premium between what he pays and what he would have to pay under a " dividend-paying" company ho can invest according to his own sweet will.

As to the general principle of life assurance, we cannot conceive how a man who really loves his wife and children, and who has made no other provision for them but that which expires when his own right arm is stilled in death, can ever lay his head to sleep in peace, when he knows that as his own coffin will be carried from the house the wolf will come in by the door. Every month, every week, and every day brings up some heart-rending case, where widows and children who knew not before what care was, are obliged to bear the bitter ness of want before the tears of bereavement have been dried. And yet men who profess to love their wives and children and who toil for them early and late, neglect this simple means, of making a provision for their families, which is complete on the instant of paying the first small premium, though death should strike them down on the same day. We rejoice in the zealous efforts of the G-overnment and their agents in pres ing the claims of Life Aussurance on the people of the colony ; and once again we would plead with our readers, —as many as have not attained an in dependence, and have not yet assured their lives —by the love they bear to " wife and weans" to save them from the miseries of a desolate and starving home, by taking advantage of the sim ple and secure provisions of the G-o ---vernment system of Life Assurance.

We have received a letter from J.C., com menting with sorority on the Highland costume and its wearers at the late Cale donian games. The publication of the letter would only serve to produce ill-feeling, and besides the picturesque and martial character of this ancient costume, and the spirit etirring associations connected with it, are sufficient to make it proof against the shafts of ridicule, however barbed and polished. It will please our rcorreßporident however, and do the kilts no harm, if wo pive the " moral" of his letter as contained in the following pithy extract : — " It is to be hoped that on any future gather ing our Scottish brethren will have the decency to wear drawers beneath their kilts, that the blush of shame may not mantle the cheeks of our fair sisters, or prevent thoir attending these hitherto' popular sports.' 1

The irihabitant3 of Parnell must be possessed either of long-suffering dispositions or of a remarkably obtuse sense of smell. A most abominable nuisance has existed for several days past in a garden adjacent to the main street, and a whole chromatic scale of stenches arises from the reeking mass of filth. People passing to leeward of the foul deposit are rendered absolutely sick by the fetid stench, and we should not be at all surprised to hear of serious illness occurring in the neighbourhood. A month ago a nuisance of a similar kind on the Great North Eoad, was put down by the strong arm of the law, and about a year since prompt and successful action was taken in a case which occurred on the Kyber Pass Road where a deposit of precisely the same kind as that-now festering in the heart of Parnell had been made. Surely if the inhabitants will not take the trouble to enforce the removal or de* odorization of the mass of putridity, the authorities ought to interfere, and compel it before typhus or other malignant fever breaks out.

We were shown this morning a fine specimen of Ohinemuri gold, weighing about 4 dwts., and one possessing an interest beyond its intrinsic value. It was given by To Hiri as his donation to the Ohinemuri Race Fund. We have not seen anything like it in quality, as exhibited from the Thames G-oldfield as yet j and it is impossible to look at it without a longing that the time was come when the Pakeha with pick and shovel could delve and seek for kindred stuff in the -ground from whioh it came, without being restrained by the bugbear of Maori rights and wrongs. A special meeting of the Auckland Institute was held last evening for the purpose of receiving the report of the committee appointed to consider the probability of raising a building fund. The chairman, Mr, Heale, explained at considerable length the steps which had been taken- to provide the requisite moDey, which had been for the present rendered abortive by the failure of the Provincial Council lo pass ihe proposed grant of £1000. In consequence of this, a number of gentlemen who bad expressed willingness to subscribe largely had considered it inadvisable to do so at present. The thanks of the meeting were then accorded to those gentlemen, and it was resolved to refer the question of the building fund to the Council, to report at the next meeting.

The business ef the town 3eems to have thoroughly awakened after the Christmas period of lethargy, and the streets are thronged with country people, who really at last seem to recognise Friday as the legitimate market day Buying and selling has been carried on to*day with remarkable activity, showing that the late festivities did not absorb all the ready cash in the district:

The new arrangement of ooiling in tho Su preme Court is infinitely superior to the ugly lantern, which wes altogether out of koeping with the general character of the building. The acoustic properties of the hall have been greatly improved, and the light is amply suffi cient, although a large extent of glass has been removed.

Messrs. H. L. Cohen and Co., auctioneers, wish us to state that they are sorry to be compelled to sell to-morrow. They state that the case is unavoidable, as the gentleman leaves by mail steamer, and could not post pone the sale on any account.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

(from otjr own correspondent.)

THE THAMES EEGATTA,

3 p.m. To-day is a holiday again, and the Q-raharnstown Eegatta is on. The following is the result of the aquatic sports: — Yacht Eace. Galatea ' ... 1 Eipple 2 . Trading Vessels. Nautilus j ... 1 Vixen ... ... ... 2 Mosquito Eace. Katarina... ... ... 1 Bismarck ... ... 2 Pair-oared G-igs. Sons of Colonists ... 1 CHAMPION SCULLEBS' BaCE. Dalton ... 1

THE SHARE MARKET.

mb. j. si. Lennox's eepobt.

The sharemarket is dull. My sales comprise —Caledonians, £63 ; Thames, £16 ; Central- Italy, £2 17s 6d ; Pride of Tokatea, 6s 6d. Closing buyers—Caledonians, £60 , Thames, £15 ; Tookeys, £20. Sellers—Caledonians, £62 ICs; Thames, £15; Tookoys, £21 5 Tokatea, £1 7s 6d.

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.—FRIDAY,

JANUARY sth

Before His Honor Sir G. A. Arney, Chief

Justice

The Court resumod its sittings this morning at 10 o'clock. EAPB. The case of rape at Tauranga, against James Mcßae, was again proceeded with. At the application of Mr MacCormick, for the prisoner, the prosecutrix's depositions taken at the Police Court were read over, after which Mr MacCormick addressed the jury on the prisoner's behalf, pointing out the discrepancies in the girl's evidence, also urged that her actions tended to show that she was a consenting party. Mr Brookfield replied, and the Judge summed up the whole of the evidence carefully and minutely. The jury after ten minutes' deliberation found the prisoner guilty. His Honor animadverted in strong terms on the prisoner's behaviour towards a girl that it was his duty to have pro tected as a father, and pointed out to him the enormity of the offence of which he had been guilty, and passed a sentence of eight years' penal servitude on him. The prisoner frequently interrupted the Judge while passing sentence, and denied that he had been guilty of using violence; he said that he.looked upon these pro ceedings, however, as a judgment against him for his past immoral life.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

THIS DAY.

Before Thomas Beckham, Esq, Eesident

Magistrate.

The usual weekly sitting of this Court for the recovery of small debts was held this morning, and the following business disposed of— PAWNBBOKEBS* UCBNCBB. The following pawnbrokers applied for and obtained renewals of their licenses :— David Marks, Neumagen and Mo3es. UNDEFENDED CASES. Bbaithwaite v Bookee. —Claim, £16. Judgment for plaintiff. ADJOUENMENTS. Macfarlane v Reynolds, Down j^JEjeirgu son, Donnelly and another v Dybrij Por ter and Co v Sellars, Porter and Co r Moeller, "Williams v Nelson, Weston v Mosheim, were adjourned until next court day. DEFENDED CAUSES, Jones v Kelly ; —Claim, £14 Us. Mr Rees appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Sheehan for the defendant: Referred by consent to arbitration. Holmes Beos v Moeton. —Claim, £3 16s 6d, for goods supplied. Mr W L Rees appeared for plaintiffs, and Mr Beveridge for defendant; On the case being called on the plain tiffs agreed to accept the amount paid into Court, namely, lQs with costs, 15s 6d:

This concluded the business, and the Court rose at eleven o'clock.

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY. Before Thomas Macffarlane, Esq, J P. DEUNKENNESS.

Two persona were punished in the or dinary manner for having been found in the public street in a state of intoxication. DEUNK AND DISOEDEBLY:

John Henderson, who had been liberated on bail, after having been taken up on a charge of being drunk and disorderly, ap peared to have rejoiced in so boisterous a fashion on regaining his liberty that he

! again fell into the merciless hands of the police on a similar charge. For the two offences he was fined 20s and costs, with the alternative of 48 hours' imprisonment,

VAGEANCY. Eliza Price and Sarah Elizabeth Yeoman were brought up ( on a charge of being rogues and vagabonds, they having no lawful visible means of support, and hav ing been previously convicted of being idle and disorderly persons. Price was sent to gaol for one year, she being an in corrigible offender, and Yeoman for eight months, both to be put to hard labor.

3 p.m Before-T Macffarlane, and T Cheese man, J Ps. LUNACY.

George Spray was charged by Sergeant Pardy with being of unsound mind, and unfit to be at large. He stated to the Court that there was a conspiracy against him to take his life by cutting his throat, his wife, Powell, a messenger of the Court, and Maddington were all en gaged in it. He appeared to be labour ing under an hallucination, and Dr. Hooper having been called in examined him and gave the necessary certificates, when he was removed to the Lunatic Asy lum for medical treatment.

ARRIVAL OF THE ST. KILDA.

LATEST EEOM WANGANUI AND

WELLINGTON

. DUNEDIN. December 30. Canterbury has wou the Inter-provin cial Cricket Match by 10 runs, and 10 wickets to fall.

WELLINGTON.

January 2,

The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened to-day. There ara eight cases to be heard. In his charge to the jury, the Judge expressed a strong opinion respecting the valuo of Grand Juries, while he admitted that a modification of the system might probably be desirable. He expressed his approval of the recent alteration in tho Jury law in civil cases. Alfred Holmes pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny, and was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment.

The Italian Troupe presumed to intrude on tho pleasant festivities of Christmas night in their greed for gain and were deservedly rewarded with a thin house. The good people of Wellington preferred lingering over their plum-puddings to listening to pudding-faced buffos and bassos mechanically going over Rossini's Stabat Mater, and Gounond's Solemn Mass. On Tuesday night with prices considerably reduced a more numerous company of dyspeptics gathered in the Odd Fellows's Hall to hear Flotow'3 opera of " Martha " and we presume did so. A third night drew an equally admiring audience.

On Monday a fire broke out at the Hutt in the back premises of Mr J. Buck, a portion of which had been used as a smith's shop, the other part being employed by a Chinamen as a store for fungus. The fire was first observed by Constable Butler, who, when at some distance from the building observed smoke issuing there from. Seeing little prospect of saving the premises every endeavor was made to save the adjoining houses, tho most dan gerously situated one being the Wesleyan parsonage, which was saved mainly by the energy of two members of the Wel lington Fire Brigade, who happened to be on the spot. Tho premises destroyed were not insured. The parsonage sus tained some damage, but the loss will be covered by insurance. Some of the furniture of this building was damaged, if not destroyed. The people on the spot renderd great asisstance in preventing the spread of the fire. — From the Wellingto Papers.

COROMANDEL HARP GOLD MIN ING COMPANY.

The quarterly meeting of the members of this company (registered) was held yester day afternoon at the Metropolitan Hotel, Mr A D McTavish being in the chair. The meeting was but a small one, and the director'« report for the half-year was read showing a balance in hand of 161 5s Id, and calls owing 41 lid Bd. The report showed a probability of meeting with pay able quartz if the proceedings were car ried on as at present. It was also sug gested that it might be advisable to issue new sharos." The report and balance sheet were adopted. On the motion of Mr Hime, seconded by Mr Upham, it was decided that the offer to purchase the 1000 reserved shares should not be accepted on the terms offered, thanks being given to Mr Miller for his offer. ■ As this was the annual as well as the general meeting the election of directors was then proceeded with, and Messrs1 McTavish, Cooper, Grey, Armstrong," Matthews, Litchfield, 'and Rooney were unanimously elected directors for the en suing year. Messrs Upham and Cooper, were then nominated as auditors, and the: meeting terminated with theiisual Vote of thanks to the Chairman., •'■•■-■";! ' " -

MARKET DAY.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib, —T can hardly think how the hawkers of a petition to again alter the market day can be serious. Do they think that any respectable auctioneer will lend himself to such child's play, just to please a few greedy men who' would fain do business on Sunday als6,ifthe law did not prevent it. Now that the action of the auctioneers-has oaused a larger number of other trades to close their places of businesa on Saturday at noon, it will I have no doubt lead to the Saturday half holiday becoming almost universal. As to the conduct of one or two, who having signed a paper pledging themselves not to sell on Saturday and *then deliberately break their pledge, well, I leave it to, (the public to give a name to such conduct. I j<3(Usjtion if in the long run it will benefit them. 1 I don't believe any auctioneer of any standing will, allow himself to be made such a tool as the petitioners would fain do. I hope the public and those who are : willing to support the employees getting*,*"? half holiday will remember the conduct of those who would fain fatten on the losses of others. 1 hop's, sir, employers will alter the pay day, and thus settle the question of the market day, which the public may rest as* sured when our market house is built will not be Saturday! I am, &c, : . . . S. Si

ALBERT BARRACKS.

To the Editor of tho Evening Stab. Sib,— Can yon tell me who has control of these grounds P or who gives permit for such sports as Caledonian games, &c. If the proceeds or balance after expenses is to be given to local charities, well and good ; if not, I question if it is wise to have these grounds cut up, ana the public excluded from their use. There are plenty of paddocks in the vicinity of Auckland which could be used for such purposes, and it would put a few shillings in the way of the bus proprietors, express carts, &c, Ac. It is quite time this Albert Barracks enclosure was placed under some local control. Yours obedient, a. m.

FREEMASONRY.

At the usual monthly meeting of Lodge St. Andrew, No. 148, 5.0., afc the Lodge Room, Star Hotel, last evening, Bro. W. Anderson was duly installed W.M. for the ensuing year by Bro D.P.GKM. Boveridge, assisted by the W.M. Bro. Hay, and Bro. P.M. Stevenson. The following officers were then installed :— Bros. E. Dickson, D.M., A. Fleming, S. M., M. Nicpol, S.W., J. Smart J.W.,J. Home, 3D J Cruiekshank, J.D., J. Marshall, Secretary, W. Grabame, Treasurer, J. Crosbie, LGk.and G-. Payne, Tyler. During the evening several gentlemen were initiated into the mysteries of the*fcraft.

ROTA.

January B.—Messrs Porter and Ritchie. January 9.—Messrs Thomas and Turton. January 10.—Messrs "Wood and Baber.

PEINCE OF "WALES THEAETE

The tragedy of " Hamlet, with Mr Tavares as the Prince, was performed last evening before an audience, which, though not a very largo one, consisted of atten tive and appreciative listeners. Mr Mor ton Tavares possesses histronic skill ot a high order. The profound thoughtfulness and deep anguish of the mysterious Prince, were finely indicated, and the soliloquy in which Hamlet descants on the greatness of man's nature, was rendered wiih much freshness and ability. He brought the first part of the performance to a climax of interest with the passage at the close of the second act, ending with the words " The play's the thing wherein 111 catch tha King." The soliloquy com mencing "To be, or not to be," —the strange talk with Ophelia, and with Polo nius were well done. Hamlet's answer to the King about the meaning of the play was very powerfully given : boiling over with indignation, he half howls, half hisses " Let the galled jade wince, &c." He also threw great feeling in Hamlet's discourse with his mother. He was rap turously applauded tkroughout the play, and received a unanimous call at the end of each act, and quite an ovation at the final fall of the curtain. Mrs Walter Hill represented Ophelia with all that grace and charm of expression we have had such frequent occasion to speak of in terms of eulogy. Mr South as the Ghost, delivered the solemn speeches with good emphasis. Mr Jones as Laertes, Mr Keogh as the King, and Mr Joyce as Polo nius, with others, filled up the cast in a most saiisfactory manner. Hamlet will be repeated this evening, and it is to be hoped will be played to a better house-

THEATRE ROYAL.

The drama of " Green Bushes " was performed at this theatre last evening, and Miss Stephenson sustained the part of Miami with great ability. The extrava ganza " Parie " concpaded the entertain ment, which was very successful through out:

WHAT'S IN A NAME.

ChabljE3 ' ■■- and Harry stood chatting in the corner of a ball-room.

"So/ Charley,"; said the latter, "your little Ellen got safe to New York I saw her there last week, looking like a beauty." "I dare say," returned Charles, "'for I J hear Osborne is bo happy in his new posses- j sion that he spares no expense to eet her off to the beat advantage." "It is: true enough, and I sometimas wonder how you made up your mind to part with her." ! " Oh! I'm going to be married you know , and young ladies do" not tolerate any rivals near the throne, In fact, J expect to find happiness enough afc home. " Ah ! very fine, but L should not wonder if, before long, you were for getting your beauty back again." "May be," said Charles, shrugging his shoulders; "nous verrons." And so the two separated—while a lovely girl who had approached behind unseen, and had been an involuntnry listener, hastilj retreated. The next morning produced the following correspondence :— No. 1. I take an early opportunity to request that our engagement may bo con» sidered afc an end from this time. Your prin ciples'would dostr iy all chances of happiness with you even if the insulting manner in which you have allowed yourself to refer to our connection were not sufficient to produce the resolution I have communicated. Julia. ; No. 2. I am entirely at a loss to compre hend the meaning of your note, and until you can give me a clearer idea ot" -what I am accused, it is impossible for me to defend myself. I await your reply. Charles. No. 3. You ask my meaning. Ah ! Charles, you add hypocrisy to your faults. If your conscience dees not acouse you.perhaps it may be enough to mention, to you the name of Oshorne. ' Julia. : No. 4. lam more than ever puzzled. 1 next spoke to Osborne but once, and that was whenj sold him my yaqh,fr.. Pray.lgt me know what.youiukean. ■ ILA j.( h .;.» Charles.- - : No. 5. Your yacht ? and her name Ellen ? Oh! dearest Charles ! What a fool I have been. Come.,to.me directly, and IJ'll tell you— I can't write it; —Your owriJ ' . «' Jtjxia.

; Another serious landslip has occurred near Northtvich, on a foot road between Budwbrth::and Northwich. There had been a subsidence near the same place some years ago, and it was not unlikely that a further sinking might occur. The present one caused a hole about twenty yards deep, and took in the whole of the road at the point where it happened. At first the sides of the hole were quite per pendicular, but they had since fallen in, and the chasm was being filled up. The sinking was believed to be on the site of the first salt mine sunk in the county of Chester.

A TRIPLE MURDER.

A baebakous murder of three persons— young women, sisters —has been com mitted in the commune of the Lure, in the arrondissement of Porcalquicr. The murdered persons lived in a-farmhouse with their father, and the murderer* in the accomplishment of their obj<: plunder, and to secure themselves,-* content with taking the lives of i victims, cut their heads completely and placed them between their legs, ' the bodies sido by side, and covereu me whole with a sheet, The father of the unfortunate victims had his throat cut, but not fatally, by the murderers, who car ried off 5000 francs. Fifteen Piedmontese labourers at work in the neighbourhooa have been arrested.

A moon-struck Yankee has expressed his over-burdened soul. The pale mellow light of the " soft silvery moon" inspired him with poetic numbers. He is a genius. Hear him: — All hail! Thou glorious moon, Bright as a new tin pan ! Thou fairest, purest, roundest source Of bread and cheese to man. Continue thou to roll and shine Like bands of waggon wheels, For dad and I are going out To try and catch some eels. The melancholy case of special judg ment is sent us from Eome through the London Tablet newspaper, which duly improves the awful warning. One Morelh a builder, employed on the public works at Eome, having mounted a high scaffold ing, °ot into a furious passion with his workmen because they asked for a holiday that they might celebrate the feast of tho Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. " I knovr nothing of your Madonna or your Christ either," bawled Signor Morelli, in a rage], and then his foot slipped, and down he went, and that, so far as this world i\ concerned, was an end of Signor Morelh', which proves that if a man must treat himself to a little blasphemy he had better do it on solid ground. Two ladies in New York were talking about the sparrows, and their usefulness in ridding the city of the cancer worms, which used to be such a nuisance. One said that the chirping of the sparrows early in the morning, when she wanted to sleep, was as great an evil as the worms; the other disagreed. Just then a gentle man came in : and was appealed to : "Mr A., which do you think the worst,— sparrows or worms ?" He immediately answered, "I don't know; I never had

sparrows." Mr Fulger, of Detroit, made himself two spacious wings of rattan, cork, and oil-skin, summoned his friends and the newspaper reporters, repaired to the roof of a one-storey house, and promised, just before he commenced to flap, that he would telegraph back from Grand Eapids. He flapped, but instead of being wafted upwards and cleaving the blue air, he landed on his stomach among some weeds. fie explained that somehow he had lost the centre of gravity, and the audience took that view of it.

The Food Journal gives the following description of American appetites : —" I have seen a man with six dishes beside him at breakfast, and doing ample justice to each. Only imagine what gastronomic powers must be possessed to dispose of a couple of mutton chops, a steak, eggs, fried bacoa, hot rolls, fried potatoes, oysters, toast and milk, tea, coffee, smok ing-hot buck-wheat bread covered with treacle, or black syrup, and then to wash, it all down with a glass of new milk or ice-water, the whole within the space of twenty minutes ! A correspondent of the St. Janus Magazine, cites an instance, which oc curred as late as twenty-five years ago, of a couple married with the church-key in stead of a wedding-ring. There appears to be some doubt as to the validity of tnis substitute, bnt in point of symbolism, at any rate, a church-key is surely, in com parison a marriage ring, the more suitable instrument of wedlock.— Pimch.

A fruit grower in Jersey being much annoyed by depredators, obtained a human leg from a hospital, and putting it in a large steel trap in his grapery, began to make enquiries in a disturbed and melan choly manner for the owner of the limb. The neighbours flocked in to see it • re port were circulated that the " horrid wretch" had filled his ground with traps, and his fruit was no more stolen.

Just as a traveller was writing his name on the register of a Chicago hotel, a bed bug sallied out and took its way across the page. The man paused and remarked: 11 I've been bled by St. Joe fleas, bitten by Kansas City spiders, and interviewed by Fort Scott gray-backs, but I'll be hanged if I was ever in a place before where the bedbugs looked over the hotel register to find out where your room was I" " I will not," said a little boy stoutly, as I passed along. The tone of his voice struck me. " What won't you do ?" I stopped and asked. " That boy wants me to make believe ' something to my mother, and I wont, "he answered in the same stout tone. Tiie little boy is on the right track. That is just one of the places to s&j" won't." I hope he will stick'to it. "My-dear boy," said a fond mother, "never defer till to-morrow what you can do to-day." Then mother, replied the urchin, '• Let's eat the plum-pudding to night." i At the London Sheriffs Court, M. John stone, proprietor of the London Journal, recovered £125 damages from the pro prietor of Conservative Standard, Grlossop, the latter having without authority re published a tale called "Dick Tarleton," which originally appeared in the London ■Journal.

A patent perpetual tobacco pipe, mad(j by a gentleman in Missouri, consists "^ _ making the bowl reversible, so that -r a charge of tobacco is nearly km ok ed, .\ '^ bowl may be charged again, and then v >'' ', versed, so that the fire may ignite the nqw charge. r - Mr Shrimpton, stationmaster, of 1-i ---mouth, has been accidentally _s>bfc) by a tradesman of that town, named; Maynard, who^ presented a revolver at him in joke, erroneously believing it to be unloaded. Mr Shi imp ton died faext morning.

THE EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, JANUARY

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