SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 7.3. HIGH WATER : This afternoon, 5.18 p.m

STEAMER FOR THE THAMES, Lady Bowen, C o'clock this evening.

ARRIVALS.

Star of the South, s.s., from Napier.

DEPARTURES.

Wellington, s.s., for Southern ports. Duke of Edinburgh, p.s., Farquhar, for Wangavei. Kenilworth, schooner, MacKeuzio, for Samoa.

IMPORTS.

Per Star of the South, from Napier: 1240 sheep, Banks.—J. S. Macfarlane, agent.

ARRIVAL OF THE STAR OF THE SOUTH.

The s.s. Star of the South arrived in harbour this morning from Napier, bringing another cargo of sheep for Mr. Banks. Captain Holmes reports leaving Napier at I p.m. on Saturday last, On Sunday night encountered a strong gale from N.E., and since then fine weather. Passengers.—Mr. Avery and 3 others.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydney and Melbourne: City of Adelaide, two hours after arrival of Nevada ; Hero, about the 16th inst. For Tahiti: Queen, schooner, early. For Southern Ports : Phoebe, s.s., 10th inst. For Napier and Wellington : Nevada, to-morrow. For Sydney: Amateur, schooner, early; Alice Cameron, Bth inst. For Hokiang,".: Herald, schooner, to-day. For Kaipara : Merlin, schooner, to-day ; Aurora, 7th Inst. For Bay of Islands : Comerang, 7th inst. For Wanganui: Wanganui, Bth inst.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Magellan Cloud, schooner, from Chatham Islands Naomi, ship, from London, sailed 16th November. Nevada, mail steamer, from Honolulu, overdue. Macquarie, schooner, from Melbourne liita, brig, from Melbourne. Albion, 5.3., from Melbourne and Southern ports

The ship Caduceus commenced to discharge her cargo from London this morning. The schooner Tawera, from Poverty Bay, brings 52 bales wool, 2 bundles skins, 2 empty kegs, Brown, Cempbell, and Co. ; 100 sacks grass seed, 13 cases apples, 2 casks tallow, 2 do. lard, J.rS. Macfarlane ; 31J bales wool, Clayton. Passengers.—Messrs. Mullooley and Shirley.

COMMERCIAL.

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

MEETINGS TO COME. Hope of Coromandel, 10, Insurance Buildings, 4 p.m. February 7 Conquering Hero, 12, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 4 p.m. February 8 Little Wonder, Coromandel, February 8 Golden Phoenix, Grahamstown, February 9 Crown Prince, Queen's Ferry Hotel, Auckland, February 12 Bank of Tokatea, Mechanics, Auckland, 4 p.m. Feb ruary 13. Queen's Ferry, 49, Queen street, Auckland, 4 p.m February 13 Golden Pah, Coromandel, February 15. Smiling Beauty, Grahamstown, February 16. Flagship, Golden Anchor, Grahamstown, February 21. Pride of Tokatea, Company's office, Queen street, Auckland, 3 p.m. February 22 Masonic, Coromandel, February 23 Lowland Lass, Grahamstown, February 24 Margaretta, 33, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 2 p.m. February 24..

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND-STREET.

Mails will Close as Under : For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m. ; and to-morrow at 10.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. For Kapanga, per Royal Alfred, to-morrow, at 11.30 a.m. For Russell, Kawakawa, etc., per Comerang, to morrow, at 3 p.m. For "Wanganui, per Wanganui, to-morrow, at 5 p.m. For Taranaka and Southern Provinces, pers.s. Phoebe, on Friday, at 5 p.m. Late letters and telegrams until 7.30 a.m. on Saturday. For Australian Colonies, Great Britain, via Suez, India, China, etc, per s.s. City of Adelaide, imme diately on arrival of Nevada. For Napier and Southern Provinces, per Nevada, six ' hours after her arrival. S. B. Biss, Postmaster.

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1872.

0 ,-, 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."

Ijr the history of each community, as in the life of every man, there must be times of reflection. As a trader takes stock, and a mariner pricks out his course and position on the chart, bo it behoves us as citizens sometimes to ascertain the place we occupy and the condition we are in. Especially is this reasoning good in a young and swiftly moving colony. Our history is in k|| front of us, yet to be worked out. "We

do riot look back to ages through which, •slowly and painfully, freedom and knowledge have been achieved. ISTor as the future one of mean promise or insignificant pretension. As a people we may reasonably hope to occupy a lofty position in the future history of nations. The land is a good land; rich, fertile, and salubrious; we ourselves are sprung from the foremost race of men; we start in our political and social existence from a point not yet reached by the vast majority of the ancient States. But we must not for get that our position, so nearly un rivalled, carries with it equal dangers ; and it is a matter of imperative duty that we should guard ourselves and our children against those dangers. What is now our position ? Whither are we tending ? Hope indeed, smiling through the utterances and plans of our heaven-born financier, gilds the future withsufficientbrightness. But istheship answering her helm, or is she drifting ? The great scheme to which we are now so often told the colony stands pledged, which statement, however, is open to doubt, and may yet be denied if the people choose so to deny it, ia without doubt considering all things truly great. Greatness, however, in this sense is not always virtue. The Mont Cenis Tunnel, the Eepeal of Slavery, the Suez Canal, the Ocean Telegraph, were and are great; but so also is the Prench Revolution, the

outh Sea Rubble, and tlia Tam many frauds in New York. Let all our readers then see to it that they examine in bo this position of ours, and support or condemn the present con dition of affairs according to their consciences. Another phrase has be come very popular of late. The great thing now is to see a proper administration of the great loan. JN"u doubt if the great loan be obtained, it will be spent, and the last hope of the people will then rest in its true and honest administration. And here we would ask what is the meaning of the creation of so many new offices, and why is it that so many members of the Assembly arc becoming paid Govern ment officials ? This is a most serious and alarming matter. The question must be answered. Were the votes of these gentlemen secured to the Go vernment by promises of reward, or are they the best fitted persons in the community to fill offices necessary to the safety and well-being of the commonwealth ? Will the services of all the members who have become paid servants of the G-oyernment be worth sixpence to us and to the country ? Time will tell; but unless these offices were indispensable, and unless these gentlemen are most peculiarly adapted to fill them, then we are evidently the subjects of a political job. Indeed, it

would be well if we were to listen so far to those who say that the whole scheme is a suspicious business as to go into the thing and judge for ourselves. Sad would it be if the splendid bubble were to burst, and leave us only its falling drops.

We understand that on completion of the three charges against Haley now pending, a further charge will be brought against him of firing Messrs. Archard and Brown's kerosene store on the 26th January, 1871. Conclusive evidence having been obtained by the police that he was concsrned in the destruction of that place. The instrprnent supposed to have been used in pioroiDg the kerosene tins has been found on his promises. An anonymous lettter sent some time back to the Cross pretending to throw light on the origin of the fire is now discovered to be in the same hand writing as the threatening letter to Mr. Russell. The police are also in possession of other evidence, and some extraordinary matter is expected to be brought to light in the pro secution of this remarkable case. We un derstand that since his incarceration at the Stockade, Haley's hair has turned completely grey. The next examination at the Police Court will take place on Thursday morning.

A short time ago some cases brought before the Besident Magistrate by the Inspector of Nuisances, were adjudicated on, and His Worship ordered half the costs to be paid by the defendant, intimating at the same time that in future cases brought by officers of the city against offenders where judgment might be given against defendants, the full amount of costs should be allow cd. This seemed to be just, for when costs are not allowed, the rate payers, although their representatives are the triumphant litigants, are in point of fact put into a worse position than the losing parties, for then the legal costs have to be paid out of the city funds, asid .the autho rities, who have done their duty and been proved to bo in the right, pay for the misdeeds of those who have infringed the regulations. Such is certainly tho case with some causes hoard this morning—the decision of the Resident Magistrate reversed—and the people at large sentenced by Messrs. Turton and Graham to pay for the sins of those actually condemned as law-breakers both by the judgment of the magistrates and out of their own mouths.

The usual monthly meeting of the Council of Acclimatisation Society was hold at Mr. Kirk's office, Princes street, yesterday. The chair was occupied by Mr. Stannus Jones, Mr. Earle acted as aecretary in the absence of Mr. Kirk. It was resolved to order no more birds from England. It was also resolved to create a fresh fund by which subscribers at a small cost will be able to stock their ponds. The management] of the Society's gardens was agreed to be handed over to Mr. Abercrombie in consequence of certain complaints having been made. Other business of minor import ance was discussed, and the meeting eeperated.'

The staiement of affairs in several Gold mining Companies is published in the New Zealand Gazette, of 26fch January.

The certificate of the Provincial Surgeon of the execution of Kereopa is published in the New Zealand Gazette of January 26 as follows : —"I, Thomas Hitchins, the medical officer in attendance at the execution of Kereopa, at the Gaol of Napier, do hereby certify and declare that I hare this day witnessed the execution of the said Kereopa at the said gaol; and Ido further certify and declare that the said Kereopa was,in pursuance of the sentence of the Supreme Court, hanged by the neck until he was dead. —Given under my hand, this fifth day of January, in the year 1872, at the gaol of Napier.—Thomas Hitchins, Provincial Surgeon."

The offer of a reward of £500 for the con viction of the person or persons concerned in the destruction of either the kerosene store in Mechanics' Bay on 26th January, 1871, or the Choral Hall, next day, has been re newed, and the Govornment offer of a free pardon to any accomplice concerned in the de struction, not being the principle offendor, is also further made public.

It would seem that specimen stealing is not confined to the Thames, but is practised in other districts in the most elaborate manner. The latest dodge at Ballaarat, as we learn from an Australian exchange, is for the men to "retire up the shaft for prayers." The manager of one mine pounced upon one of these pious parties, and found some of their pockets lined with specimens.

Another foot-race took place last evening 1 in the Albert Barrack Square, Skerry and Low having again tested their respective prowess. The result was that after a five " mile run, which was accomplished in 32 minutes and 5 seconds, Low came in winner ' by iive yards. It is understood that there is likely to bo another contest between those woll-inatched pedestrians. At a meeting of the Auckland Regatta , Committee, held yesterday evening, at Mr. J. Copland's, called to consider the applica tion of Messrs; Hesketh and Richmond for the name of the solicifor to the Committee, some discussion took place. It was finally resolved j" that a letter be written to Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond, explaining that according to to the 19th rule of the Club, the decision of I the umpire could not be reversed. At the inquest held yesterday on the body o John William Harris, who died on Sunday by , poison, after hearing the evidence the jury re» turned a verdict to the effect that deceased had p died by taking poison, but whether with intonfc to kill himself the jury could not say. This was virtually an open verdict. j A little dispute occurred this morning, in , the Police Court, during which one learned > gentleman charged another with having p asserted his superiority in the knowledge of , law. The Bench, however, said they knew , nothing about it \ and, amidst much laughter? » the case was proceeded with. i We have a communication from " Cold , Water," calling attention to the fountain at » the corner of Abercrombie and Wakefield I streets being unable to give a supply of water, ; and also thanking Mrs. Nash for kindly -j allowing her neighbours to draw water from ) her well. > The Gazette of 26th January publishes the • names of all duly qualified medical practitioners .' in New Zealand. ) Signor Donato left for Grrahamstown this I morning, instead of accompanying Mr Hoskius and Miss Colville. He will give a series of performances at the Thames, in the Theatre » Royal, and will, no doubt, meet with the i patronage his clever performances deserve, f Tenders are required by the General Go -3 vernment for the supply, delivery and erection 5 of 500 telegraph poles for a lino of telegraph ' between Q-rahamatown and Coromandel. f Tenders for the supply of rations to Mount Eden gaol for four months from the first of March next, will be received by the Provin* cial Government from persons willing to contract. An emergency meeting of Lodge Waitojaata, 681, E.C., will take place this evening, at the . Masonic Hotel. At a meeting of the shareholders of the Hauraki Saw Mill Company, held yesterday afternoon, the retiring directors were re elected. The Wellington Post says, "That in the , matter of hanging we cannot truly say that they manage these things better in New South Wales. The Bydney correspondent of . the Argus relates the following account of a recent execution : —'lt is a good thing that we have got rid of public executions, for the hanging of our last murderer would have been a most revolting speotaole ior a miscel laneous crowd. The poor wretch had been under the impression that he would be reprieved, and was not willing to die. Ho struggled, and kiolred, and la>d down on the platform, and the fall then was not enough, j and the whole scene, instead of being the i work of a few minutes, took the greater part j of an hour. It was sl>w strangling, not '■. sudden death.' A leaf from the book of the officials of the Napier gaol would not be amiss in Sydney. Practice makes perfect, and in the dearth of the real articles dummies are not be despised at." Carbolic acid is the sovereign remedy for all troubles from flies and mosquitoes. A few drops evaporated in a room or poured upon the clothes will keep the winged pests at a safe distance ; and if the pure crystalised acid is used no great annoyance will result to human beings. A meeting of brewers will be held at Mr. J. Copland's, Thames Hotel, to-morrow evening. It is not generally known that a emal portion of scraped horse radidh will keep milk for two or three days from turning sour. The horse radish does not impart an unpleasant flavour to the milk. Boston has seventeen free salt water baths, five of them being for women. Eighteen hundred pounds was offered by a gentleman in Christchurch for the receipts of the Opera Company at Dunedin, and refused. We observe by advertisements that Mr. E. W. 3yson, so long and favourably known in the drapery trade, is about to relinquish the business, and conse quent upon the expiration of his lease, will, for the remainder of term, hold an unusually cheap sale, and ( i solicits an early call to securobargains: [Advt.J

AUSTRALIA.

ARRIVAL OF THE

ALBION,

AT THE BLUFF.

BLUFF.

1. The Albion left Melbourne on the 27th ultimo ; hove to for eijfht hours yesterday in a gale, and arrived at~# p-m. to-day. She brings 34 passengers.

MELBOURNE.

jjSjf January 27. There was a discussion at the hospital meeting in reference to,an inmate named Hemlock, who, it was alleged, had been surreptitiously imported from New Zea> land. J Justin, the collector/at the Alfred Hospital, has levanted.- Bte is a defaulter to a considerable extent. ,»;| A woman named Pi&in has been charged with infanticide. - j Great numbers are going to Tasmania, to attend the regatta aad fetes. The agitation about the Permissive Bill is keeping up.

SYDNEY.

January 27. The Goverfiment &asijsen defeate4 on the subject of the border customs duties. The House has adjourned. There is no intimation of the intentions of the Ministry, and it is believed that the Governor will not grant a dissolution. Mr Penrille, an Anglioan clergyman, is dead. At the wool sales prices were firmer. Mercantile private advices _ report the discovery of extensive frauds in the pack ing of tallow for the London market.

ADELAIDE.

January 27. A new Ministry has been formed by Mr Ayers. The Assembly has granted £150,000 to carry on the business, but refused to pass the estimates. The estimate of revenue is £3000 over expenditure.

ARRIVAL OF THE

STAR OF THE SOUTH.

The s.s. Star of the South arrived from Napier this morning, and by her we have received papers to the 3rd instant, from which we take the following:— WELLINGTON. January 29. The foundation stone of the new Provin cial Government Buildings, on the re claimed land, was laid to-day by the Super intendent, in presence of a large concourse of people. The Volunteers paraded; the Artillery firing a salute, and a general half holiday was made. A luncheon came off at the Empire Hotel, at which 150 guests were present Congratulatory speeches were made, and altogether it was a grand affair. January 31. Subscriptions and amateur performances are being got up in aid of the sufferers by the fire at Carterton. and the families of those that were lost in the Rifleman. February 1. The Wellington crew and boat left in the Rangitoto to-day for the Canterbury . regatta. The Premier starts to-morrow in the Luna for Canterbury and the West Coast. The Governor, Lady Bowen, and suite returned this morning from Picton and Havelock. The Volunteers here are subscribing to send good shots who were disqualified by the Government conditions, to the Canter bury Colonial Prize Firing. February 2. Mr Spier 3, an old settler, and crier to the Supreme Court for the last 25 years, died at his residence, at Karori, on Wednesday night. The Fancy Bazaar in aid of St. Paul's school was a great success. The Celoeno arrived to-day from London. She brings 30 immigrants for Napier.

GREYTOWN.

January 27. Meredith's house at Eiversdale, and Vallance's house at Kaumingi, have been burnt down.

CHRISTCHURCH.

February 1. The police have received notice of a reduction in their pay. A public meeting is to be held to protest against it. J3ush fires have occurred at Alford Forest. Several houses were burnt. Little River Bush is still burning. •

DUNEDIN.

February 2. The Provincial Executive has been re constructed, Keid Secretary of the Trea sury, Bradshaw Secretary for.the Gold Fields and Public Works.

Bishop Moran in a sermon asserted that the government had instructed their agents not to introduce Irish immigrants. The assertion has since been officially con tradicted.

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE

Theee was a crowded house last night. The same programme was repeated as on Saturday. " Ixion" was rapturously applauded throughout, and the Zavis towski Sisters are already becoming great favourites. The acting of Miss Emmeline as Ixion was capital, her song of " Moet and Chandon " being vociferously encored, when she substituted " Oliquot," in a manner that reminded one of the great Vance. Misa Christine and Miss Alice were also loudly applauded. Mr South fully maintained his character as chief laughter-provoker, and came in for his share of applause. The same programme will be repeated this evening.

To any one who will show a larger stock of Auck land-made Quartz, Greenstone, and Mosaic Jewellery, within six months, I will give a rewardof fifty pounds. I also challenge New Zealand for style and beauty. Two thousand pound worth of Colonial-made Jewellery always on hand.—F. H. Lewisson, Queen street. —(.Advt.J

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY. Before H. H. Turton, and W. A. Graham, Esqs., Justices. DRUNKENNESS. One drunkard was punished in the usual manner.

BREACHES 03? BYE-LAWS OP CITY COUNCIL

Ernest J. King was charged by the Inspector of Cabs with permitting his carriage to be used as a hackney carriage, without having first obtained a license- Mr Joy appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty ; and Mr J. B. Russell conducted the prosecution. The Inspector deposed that on the 27 tn January, he saw a carriage belonging to defendant plying for hire in Queen street, and driven by a man named Phipps. There was no license for the cab. In cross-examination, witness said he did not summons Phipps, because King was the owner. F. E. Phipps deposed that he was a licensed carriage driver. His carriage was under repair, and he hired another in place of it. 114. Mr Joy made an elaborate and eloquent defence, in which he urged that Phipps ought to be considered the owner. As ho had hired the carriage, the ownership had actually passed to him The Bench however held that King was liable, and could not transfer his liability. They considered that he was th& wrong doer, and could not transfer his responsi bility. They therefore imposed a nominal fine of one shilling without solicitor's COSts. , -n r Mr. Russell objected that the Bench had refused costs without hearing his arguments for them. The Bench refused to reverse their judgment. George Cook was then charged with having employed John Greenway to drive a city sta<;e carriage without his having been licensed. He pleaded guilty, and said his man was sick, and he was obliged to put another in his place in a hurry. Fined one shilling and costs. John Greenway pleaded guilty of driving without a license. The Bench pointed out that it was necessary that drivers should be licensed, so that they might bo subjected to the influence of the authorities, who would then be able to see that the proper people were appointed. Fined in the nominal penalty of one shilling.

COLONIAL INDUSTRY.

A new industry is likely to be developed in our midst by a gentleman who has had great experience in the manufacture of chemicals. There is within easy access of this city an unlimited supply of sulphur, and as sulphuric acid is the agent in the manu facture of many chemical products which are now imported at great cost, the sulphur may profitably be made available. Many articles now used as valuable manures also require the agency of the same universal solvent, and if they could be produced in quantity and at a cheap rate, would be of immense benefit to our agriculturists. The idea seems feasible, and we have no doubt the scheme will be successful. It is proposed to make sulphuric, muriatic, and otlier acids, superphosphate of lime for the reduction of bonedust to a service able state; and the gentleman in question also intends to manufacture bisulphate of lime, that product which is now employed so largely in Australia in the preservation of meat. The first cost of the plant is small as compared with that of other manufactures ; and there really appears no reason why, with the raw material almost on the spot, these useful articles should not be made at a far less expense than they can be imported for.

THE SKATING RINK.

The perseverance evinced by some en thusiasts in putting themselves through a course of sudorific treatment, is worthy of all praise. -One would have thought that the intense heat of the last few evenings, would have deterred people from rushing about the skating rink in a frantic fashion, and attitudinizing in a vehement manner. However, it seems not, and that there is some mystical pleasure attached to the exercise. Last evening, the City Hall was absolutely crowded, and the usual quantity of grotesque contortions gone through, and bumpiug matches suffered with the customary amount of good humour. Many of the skaters, how ever, have wondrously improved, and some of them are beginning to acquire a little gracefulness. The exercise, besides being a pleasant one, is highly beneficial, as the whole of the muscles of the frame are put into play ; and although that end of the body into which learning is usually knocked, suffers numerous contusions, it does not seem to hurt much, for the sufferers always scramble up again, and grinning horribly ghastly smiles, rush off in search of fresh adventures. The proprietors are extremely civil and obliging, and do all in their power for the comfort of their visitors. The place is well worthy a visit; and those who go onco are sure to repeat their call.

SMALL POX AT HAWKE'S BAY.

The correspondent of the HaioJce's Bay Herald writing from Meanee on the 31st ult., says :—" I regret very much to learn that small pox has appeared among the natives at Omahu. Although to a certain extent the ground for this assertion is nothing better than common rumour, it will be found, I fear, that in this instance rumour is not a lying jade. The wonder is, looking at the filth and squalor of a Maori pah, that the inmates have so long escaped the inroads of some virulent disease. If small pox is really at Omahu, it will, in all probability, be speedily in our midst. Much will depend upon what action the Government will take in the matter— whether prompt or dilatory — but in any ease I fear perfect isolation could hardly be secured, and that the contagion will inevitably spread. It is a very melancholy prospect to the inhabi tants—especially to parents."

A toper sneered at a young man for wearing spectacles, when the latter said, " It is better to use glasses over the nose an I do, than under the nose as you do J"

THE VOLUNTEER CHRONICLE.

The prizes given to the Auckland Ar tillery Volunteers by Lieut Isaacs, were fired for at the Mount Eden range this morning at 6 o'clock.- The three first were the winners. The following is the scoring :— isoydg 250 yds Ttl Gunner McMaster ... 15 13 12 40 Gunner Stuart 14 15 9 38 Corporal Lee 13 10 10 33 Corporal G-eddes ... 14. 12 5 31 Gunner Mann 10 12 8 30 Gunner Carter 14 6 6 26 Gunner Jones 7 11 4 22 Gunner Hamilton ... 7 4 Z Id The sword presented by the Prince Alfred Light Horse Troop to Captain Smith, in recognition of his services to the troop, will be presented to that officer by Colonel Harington to-morrow evening, after the parade. A dismounted parade of the Prince Alfred Light Horse will take place to morrow evening, in the Drill-shed. 1 The annual inspection of the Waipipi or No 2 Company Waiuku Rifle Volun teers took place at McNamara's Corner on the 19th ultimo, Colonel Harington expressed himself satisfied with the improvement of the corps in their drill.

A meeting of Volunteers has been con vened by Captains Clark and Dargaville, to be held in the Drill-shed to-morrow evening, at 7.30 p.m., to consider the challenge of the Thames Volunteers to fire a rifle match for a sum of money.

Lieutenant J. H. Burns was last night nominated to the vacant captaincy of the Eoyal Company of Volunteer Bines, in the place of Captain Howell, resigned. Mr Burns has been for a long time the active and energetic secretary of the company ; and to his exertions may be, in a great measure, attributed its present flourishing condition. His appointment will give general satisfaction.

THE WHANGAREI CASE.

In the middle of last month, we published under the above heading a Maori letter and its translation.having reference to the charge (just then dismissed), of selling arms and ammunition to the natives. It was written to us by " Riwi Takana " the native chief who had informed against Mr Pratt, and contained the following statement, " I was at all times friendly with that man, until John Gage came to Wangarei and urged me to turn informer against Pratt. He promised to pay me £300 for^ doing the work, and he told me he had informed against some white men at the Thames, and got them into trouble. John Gage made me promise not to mention his name, because he belonged to Govenment." We have taken pains to enquire into this, and find that it is not correctly stated. On the contrary, it appears that dur ing the trials in our Supreme Court, in June last, our friend iiewi was in Auckland, and again and again distinctly stated that he could easily prove Mr Pratt guilty of selling such things frequently ; and it was only on his repre sentations that Gage proceeded to Wan garei. Rewi, apostrophising us, says, " Oh, friend, why did he draw me into this trouble ? " But it appears to us that the real trouble of this native is his failure in getting the reward. The police have difficulty enough in obtaining convictions in the case of such offences against the law, offences which at least in the past were productive of terrible disaster to our colonists, and it is necessary to make use of every means that may come to hand to aid them in the prosecution. In this case it appears that Rewi's evidence was ten dered and not solicited.

CORRESPONDENCE.

;t3rWe do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by oiir correspondents.

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCES.

To the Editor of the Evening Stae. Sib,—ln giving the report of an amateur performance at the Theatre .Royal on Tuesday night, the 30th ult., you stated that a cadet fell through the trap-door and broke his arm, and that a young aspirant to fame fell from the horizontal bar and trapeze. Allow me to correct this statement. The true facts of the case are that a lad fell from the horizontal bar and was supposed to be seriously hurt at first, but it proved to be otherwise. One of the spectators, a young man about nineteen or twenty years of age, rushed on to the stage to see if he was hurt, when somebody called out for a doctor. As he was running off the stage for one, he forgot the opening into the work-shop, and fell heavily on to the floor with his hand under his body, and sprained his wrist rather badly. The other accident was, one of the performers fell off the double trapeze on to the piano, but was caught by a young man and was not hurt in the least, for he jumped on to the trapeze and went through his performance in a very plucky rnannor. By the insertion of this letter you will greatly oblige all who took part in the entertainment. Yours, &c, One of the Committee.

JUSTICES' JUSTICE.

To the Editor of the Evening Stae. Sib, —Can you tell mo on what principle justice is administered in Auckland. Two cases of vagrancy have lately come under my observation, and I cannot understand on what grounds the unequal punishments were awarded. In the iirst case a girl well known to the police as a bad character and the associate of bad characters, several times convicted of drunkenness, only gets seven days for vagrancy; In the other a poor simple, innocent-looking country girl totally unknown to the police, and no drinker, comes up from the counrty, being only the second time she has been in Auckland in her life, and before she is off the wharf is taken up on a charge of vagrancy on the evidence of some one living near her in her home, and without a friend or without a shilling is locked up convicted of vagrancy, and imprisoned for a month. The poor soul hardly knowing what it all meant all the time, so simple and unsophisticated is she. The poor girl was glad as a child to come to me when her really cruel sentence had expired, $he is still with me, hardly

willing to go away out of my sight. She seems to have the idea that if she dare show her face in the street the police will take her up again. Naturally she thinks it a crime to walk about Auckland. There are some very sad particulars in her very sad story ; but she is as harmless, inoffensive a creature, as willing, good natured, and kindly as any one couß wish to meet with. The very girls in ga^l told me she was not "one of them."^ She neither drinks, smokes, swears, or v and yet she got a month in gaol, wkilst a a well-known bad character got but seven days. Answer, oh ye legislators, how is it? I am, &c, Maey A. Colciottgh.

SABBATH QUIET.

To the Editor of the EvExNlng Stab. Sic, —The question of Sabbath observance is just now causing great controversy in. our sister colony, Victoria ; and I think there is one question connected with the same subject which it may not be out of place to take notice of in our adopted home. The one to which I refer is, whether horses and conveyances should be allowed to be ridden and driven noisily past places of worship, while the services are being conducted, or not ? This, though ap parently a trifling obstruction to the worship of God, is nevertheless an annoyance to some ; and, as its prevention would cause little or no inconvenience, to any would it not be well to agitate for a bye-law, say such as our South-eastern neighbours have, which enacts that no equestrian shall pass a place of public worship while service is being held, with a pace faster than a walk ? Trusting that you will do me the honour of inserting my note in the columns of your paper. I remain, &c, JUSTITIA. [We cordially endorsa the proposal made by our correspondent. We are aware that great and unnecessary annoyance is frequently caused in the procedure complained of; and as the regulation would equally benefib members of every denomination, a. bye law on the sub ject would afford general satisfaction. Ed. JS.S.2

THE ROWING CLUB.

To the Editor of the Evening- Stab. Sir,—l trust that the Auckland Rowing Club are prepared at once to refund the money they have obtained from the public as subscriptions towards sending^ a crew to Christchurch to compete in the Champion Boat-race, now that the public are awsre that it is not their intention to send their crew. I am sure that some of them at least, are too honorable to allow themselves to be suspected of obtaining money under false pretences. Yours, &c, Subscribes.

LONDON IN DANGER.

The Courier Diplomatique, published in. Paris, contains a letter from a London correspondent, which gives an awful picture of the danger threatening this country from the spread of socialistic doctrines. The writer says : —" The whole of this vast empire is permeated by secret societies. The Internationale here holds its meetings almost publicly. It is said that the greater number of dis possessed Princes of India, a good number of officers belonging to the Army and Navy, as well as Members of Parliament, and even Ministers are affiliated to it. The Government is aware of the infernal plan by which, at a given moment, the public buildings of London are to be exposed to the fate which befel so many in Paris. Boats are already waiting on the Thames to receive the treasures of the Bank of England—an easy prey, say the conspirators—as soon as the main artery of the Strand shall have been burnt, and the public buildings —th barracks especially—shall have been blown up, as was three years ago the Clerkenwell Prison. Careless by nature, and too much engaged with business to think of the morrow, spoiled by a long established liberty and a fabulous pros perity, having for many generations forgotten the scourge of war, foreign or civil, we allow ourselves to drift on without taking heed of the signs of the times."

A STRANGE TRIAL.

At the Middlesex Sessions, lately, a man named William Tichner was convicted for an indecent assault upon one Emma Jordan, and sentenced to sis months' hard labour. A report in the papers now says :— " At the trial the prosecutrix gave her evi dence with such apparent truthfulness, that the jury, in giving their verdict, complimented her for the clearness with which she had narrated the transaction, and also stated that they did not believe a word of what the witnesses for the defence had stated. The judge (M.r. Sergeant Cox) said he entirely concurred in the observation of the jury, and remarked that he had never heard a witness give her evi dence in a more clear and truthful manner, and, at the same time, to show his sense of the defence that had been set up, refused to allow the witnesses called by the prisoner any expenses. Before, however, the jury were discharged who had tried the case, the judge said he had received a statement from a credible source, which he would order to be enquired into, and if it turned out to be true, the jary would not be surprised to hear that the sentence passed upon the prisoner had been altered. At the same tiinoth'3 judge handed to the jury a writtea paper containing certain allegations for their perusal, which he said could not then be made public." The prisoner was t^an brought up and placed in tha dock, fTSB. Mr Sergeants Gox discharged him as innocent, and the cost of his witnesses allowed. The judge said he was convinced the girl had committed gross perjury.— London Times.

The vintage in Champagne is the worst ever remembered. Everything has con tributed to injure the vines, In the first place the Prussian invasion did not permit the plant to receive the necessary culture; then the late frosts destroyed a large quantity of the budd, and finally the hail ravaged much of what remained,

TIE EVENING BTAft, TUESDAY PEBUTJAEY 6, 1872

2



standard Brighton Scandinavian Little Angel IVhau Bird in Hand .. Multum-in-Paryo stock Importation Lowland Lass .. Pacific Lincoln ». Vlatawai .. .. )tago 2ity of Aberdeen fill n,vi an Tio o

0 0 6 0 2 G 0 0 G 0 0 6 0 5 0 0 10 0 10 10 0 0 0 G 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 10 0 0 3 nor.

Feb ', Feb i Feb 15 Feb 15 Feb 14 Feb 14 Feb IE Feb It Feb 1£ Feb 1$ Feb 2C Feb 22 Feb 23 Feb 22 TVToy. P,



AUCKLAND TEMPERANCE BAND. AN ENTERTAINMENT will be given in the CITY HALL, By Members of the above, assisted by FRIENDS FROM H.M.S. BLANCHE. Ok THURSDAY, Febbttaby 8, 1872. Doors open at 7, to commence at 7.30 Prices of Admission :—Front Seats, Is. 6d. ; Back Seats, Is. For particulars see placards. "LEISURE HOUR" AND " SUNDAY AT HOME." ' "VTEW VOLUME NOW READY, -*-^ AT E. W A V T E ' S, 100, Queen-street. J CATER (late Cbombie's), ROYAL • PHOTOGRAPHIC 6 ALLERY, Queen street, Auckland, has much pleasure in in forming his friends and the public generally that he has purchased the Photographic Business so long carried on by Mr Crombie; and having secured the services of Mr Crombie's late Manager, he feels warranted in stating that they will receive every civilty and attention, as well as firstnclass and artistic portraits at his hands, and that no pains will be spared to give entire satisfaction. J C. also wishes to inform the Ladies that arrangements are being made for taking instantaneous Portraits of Children. ,^____ — ___————~——————_ FTIHE Niece of John Nobthey, formerly _1_ Barrack Sergeant, Wahapu, Bay of Islands, would be glad to see or hear of any of the family.—F.L.D., Stab Office.