SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : Thii aTeulns, 6.37. HIGH WATBB: ThUevMiinsr, 10.*,

STEAMER FOR THE THAMES.

Lady Bowen, 9 o'clock this evening.

ARRIVALS.

Star of the South, j.j., Holmes, from Napier. Keera, «.»., 11. Carey, from Tauranga and Southern ports. Ocean Wave, schooner, Griffiths, from Lyttelton. Sea Gull, shooner, Jones, from Russell.

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Keera, from Southern ports: 10 hhds. 3 barrels beer, Williams ;20 sacks onions, Binney ; 20 hhds. bear, Frazer ; 1 caso, "Waller; 2 barrels beer, Bellars ;17 casks, 20 drums, 14 cases, agents s.s. K«era ; 1 caso, Phillips ; 3 trunks Hall; 1 trunk, New good ; 200 sacks oats, 130 do bran, 30 do flour, Binney ; 3 bundles arms, 10 bozes, 1 parcel. Telegraph ; 3 half chests tea, 1 hale, Lemon Bros. ; 20 sacks grass seed, Harrington ; 25 cases claret, J. S. Macfarlane ; 3 hides, 1 cask tallow, Owen and Graham ;04 bales wool, order ; 2 hales wool, Henderson and Macfarlane ; 1 thorough bred short-horned bull, M. Donnelly; 3 cases fruit, Wiseman ; 1 case fruit, Cintham ; 1 ditto ditto, Mrs. Ilerrick ; 3 ditto ditto, Captain Williams.—-Combes and Daldy, agents. Per Star of the South, from Napier : 1,080 shee, Banks.—J. S. Macfarlane, agents. Per Ocean Wave, schooner, Griffiths, fromLyttleton : 1344 sacks wheat, 117 sacks oats, Thornton, Smith and Firth.

EXPORTS.

Per Queensland, barque, Allen, for New York lSf)3 cases, 288 bass, and 21 tons in bulk, kauri gum, 93 bales phormium, 14 ditto tow lashings, Rolph Sterry and Co. ; COl cases kauri gum, 204 bales phor mium, R. Walker and Co. ; 144 ditto, Must and Co.— Rolph, Sterry, agents.

ARRIVAL OF THE STAR OF THE SOUTH.

The s.s. Star of the South arrived in harbour this morning. She left Napier on Monday evening last, the 20th instant, and experienced fine weather throughout, arriving off theTamaki at 9 p.m. yester day. This morning she landed 1,000 sheep, and then came up harbour, transhipping SO sheep to the Lady Bowen, for the Thames. Passengers.—Messrs. W. Cruickshank, Steward, and 2 others.

The Star of the South leaves again for Napier to-morro\T, at 4 p.m.

ARRIVAL OF THE KEERA

The s.s. Keer?, Captain Carey, left Wellington on the 23rd, arrivecf at Napier on the 24th, sailed again on the 25th ; arrived at Poverty Bay on the 2Gth, sailed the same day ; arrived at Tauranga on the 28th, sailed tho "same clay ; arrived alongside the wharf at 9 a.m.

Passkngehs.—Mm. Nelson, Inspector Thomson, .A.C,, Messrs, Donnelly, Jordan, Rothwell, Watts, Rule, and two prisoners. We are indebted to Mr. Keeble for our files.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydney and Melbourne: City of Melbourne, on arrival of the Nebraska. Tor Tahiti: Quean, schooner, this d*y. Tor London : Cadacsus, ship, early. For New York : Queensland, barque, to-morrow. For Southern port* : Phcebe, early; Wellington, s.s., on arrival of the Nebraska Tor Kaipara: Colonist, schooner, to-day. For Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Otago : Nebraska, p.s., to-morrow. For Honolulu : Nebraska, mail steamer, 21st March. For Tauranga : Dauntless, schooner, to-d*y. For Newcastle: Briton, barque, early. For Napier : Star of the South, to-morrow. For Opotiki; Opotiki, schooner, to-morrow.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Magellan Cloud, schooner, from Chatham Islands Naomi, fhip, from London, sailed 10th November. "Wild Duck, ship, from London, sailed 10th December Moa, brig, from Melbourne. (Sailed Feb. 4.) ilelenslee, ship, from London Frowning Beauty, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed February 14 Bella Mary, barque, from Hobart Town. Nebraska, mail steamer, from Honolulu, due 27th Instant Cyrene, barque, from Lyttelton "YVhynot, ketch, from Napier Byron, brig, from Sydney Taranaki, 5.»., from the South. England, ship, from London. Ella Gladstone, brig, from Adelaide. Maggie, brig, from Adelaide. Aniherat, schooner, from Sydney. Julia Price, schooner, from Fiji. Janet Grey, schooner, from Fiji.

The Keera will receive »thorough overhaul previous to resuming her trips South. The schoner Sea Gull arrrived this morning from EusselV with 160 tons coal, consigned to Mr. J. S. Macfarlan£. The schooner Onward cleared for Russell in ballast this morning. The barque Queensland has completed her loading, and will sail for New York to-morrow.

MARRIAGE

SOMERVILLE—NORTHE. —On the 23rdinst., lit the residence of the bride's father, Oncpoto, by the Rev. H. B. Redstone, Robert Somerville to Annie Northe, both of Napier.

DIED.

HARDY.—On the 22nd February, at Dairy Flat, Wade, Alfred Wallis, the beloved child of Charles and Alice Frances Hardy, aged five months.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1872.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For tho wrong that needs resistance, For tho future in the distance, And the good that we can do."

"We would draw attention to the very important telegram in another column from our own correspondent at "Wel lington. The items contained are re liable, and derived from a trustworthy source. That the next session of par liament will he held at| Wellington, is not more than might have been fairly anticipated by an impartial observer. The attempted modification of provin cial insitutions during the past session appears to have been the precursor of more radical measures, and we need not be surprised if the next meeting of the Assembly show a short but stormy session. Sooner or later the struggle must come, and probably the sooner the better. The tinkering and patching up of the present heterogeneous constitution, and the endeavouring to adapt it to an era of advancement, is like putting new cloth on old raiment, and new wine in old bottles; and violent and convulsive though the struggle may be, it is better to have it over, so that the wheels of the state coach may move more smoothly in future.

We believe there will 1)0 general regret felt at the resignation of his seat in the City Council by Mr. Tonks. Mr. Tonks deserves well of citizens for his sensible and practical suggestions in Council, and for the business habits which characterised his part in public business. His successor is now to be chosen, and as usual, rumour makes free with many names. We are exceedingly glad to find that Mr. Stannus Jones is in the field, having consented to stand for election ; and we do not hesitate in congratulating the City Council and the citizens by anticipation, on such an accession to the deliberative and motive power of the civic administration. If we con sidered that there was any necessity for urging the wisdom of electing Mr. Jones to the vacant seat, we could show abundant reason; but we consider this unnecessary, as it is not likely that any one will come out in opposition, nor would any one have much chance of success if he did. Mr. Jones is not only very popular in the city, but he is one that is known to do his own thinking, and to not be afraid of express ing his own opinion. He is known as a man of advanced opinions and plenty of enterprise, and what his hand finds to do he will do it with all his might. We venture to say that in whatever deliberative or ad"ministrative body he is, the wheels of its machinery will not clog from inaction. The City Council is now engaged in very import ant public works, and advancement will necessarily mark the history of civic operations for afewyears to come. Mr. Stannus Jones is one that is capable of taking a comprehensive view of things, and his accession to the City Council will unquestionably be a very great acquisition. We sincerely trust that when such a name comes to the front on a vacancy occurring, the city will not be put to the unnecessary expense and trouble of a contest, but will be allowed to congratulate itself on unanimously adding to the Council one of our most able and enterprising citizens.

On Mr. Tonka' retirement from the City Council, his brother councillors have adopted the not unusual course of giving him a kick. This operation will probably do him no harm, and we hardly think it will do them much good. It will certainly have the effect of enlisting public feeling on the side of Mr Tonks, and causing no incon siderable odium to attach to the City Council. In the constitution of the Harbour Board, certain members hold their seats ex officio as Chairmen of Highway Boards ; certain others are nominated or elected. Among this class, Mr. Tonks is one of those elected by the City Council. It wa3 not necessary that he should have been a member of the City Council; in fact, it appears that it would have b6en more in accordance with the spirit of the Act of constitution, had aa outsider been selected by the City Council, and not one of its members. However that may be, Mr. Tonks was chosen by the Council to represent it at the Board. Mr. Tonks, for some time, has faithfully fulfilled his duties on the Board as he has in the Council, and for t reasons satisfactory to himself, yestcr- ! day resigned his seat in the City Coun cil. That was neither the time nor place for Mr. Tonks to express his intentions with reference to his seat at the Harbour Board, and accordingly he expressed no intentions formally on the subject; whereupon the Council in the^ most unwarrantable manner, and acting only on gossip, we may pre.-mrno, or irregular information, by resolution

called on Mr. Tonks to resign his seat at the Harbour Board. This ia simply an outrage. If Mr. Tonks does not ia the circumstances treat this ukase with defiance, he ia not possessed of that pluck for which we gave him credit. Mr. Tonks has faithfully honorably, and well fulfilled his duties in every public position in which lie has "been placed; and bad and ungrateful as we are accustomed to say the public are, they will not allow such treatment as this. Mr. Tonks was not placed at the Board as a member of the City Council, but as the chosen of the City Council, and is perfectly warranted in retaining his seat as long as he likes. In ordinary circum stances he might have deferred to the wishes of his constituents, if they had expressed a want of confidence in him; butin present circumstances, if he has the slightest self-respect, he should fling back defiance to the City Council. This attempted insult to Mr. Tonks is simply to "pay him off" for past efforts in the Council; and if Mr. Tonics replies by laughing at the Council, tho public will laugh too.

At a special meeting of Lho City Council yea tor Jay afternoon, a sum nob exceeding £200, was voted towards a survey of the water course from Waitakerei. The actual coat has been estimated at £100 for a man to go over the ground and check the report already fur nished soino time ago io the Provincial Grovevntnent. As the surveys in possession of tho Provincial Government had been placed at the disposal of tho Council, it was con sidered unnecessary to go to the expanse of a fresh survey tit a cost of £750 originally voted, when by adopting this course tho amount stated would be amply sufficient.

His Worship the Kesident Magistrate, thi s morning, suggested that it would bo a good thing if every keeper of a livery stable would obtain a copy of the City Regulations, and post thetn up in a conspicuous part of his premises, so that his employees should not be ablo to plead ignorance. This would bo something in the right direction; but much more might well be dono. Considering the largo amount of license fees charged, it is hardly too much to expect, when a license is taken out, the recipient should bo presonted with a copy, which would certainlj not reduce the amount of revenue bj more than sixpence in each case. Much difficulty and miiunder standing would thus bo prevented, and parties would »carcely be ablo to plead ignorance or misconstruction of the rulei.

If every defaulter in the matter of City rates would do as did a poor man summoned this morning for nonpayment, there would be less trouble, and the city would benefit. He appeared and pleaded guilty. He had broken his arm, and had been unable fco work for some time. He said, however, that ho was willing to pay the amount, and if time could nob be given to him in any other manner, he would clear off the amount, as soon as his arm got well, by working for the Corporation. All honour to him ! His is an example worthy of being followed.

This evening a performance -will be given at the Theatre Royal by the G-arrick Club, for tho benefit of Misb Jessie Raymond thai rising young actress. The performance will bo under the patronage of Captain Taylor and the officers and men of the Auckland Scottish Volunteers, the Naval Brigade, and Band. " The Emigrant's Daughter" will be performed, with Miss Raymond as Caroline de Leslie. During the interlude Mr. L. Booth will give a reading, and Mr. OHover a Bailor's hornpipe, to be followed by the " Bonnie Fishwife," in which Miss Jessie Eaymond will alao appear in a dual character. It is to be hoped there will be a bumper house. Signor Donato leaves Auckland by tho Wellington for Christchurch to join Mr. Morton Tavares, and we heartily wish him success. As a dancer, pantomimist, or posturist, Donato is unequalled. His truly wonderful tepsichoroan performances are sufficiently attractive to draw large audiences wherever he may go, and in the civilised world no further notice is required than "Donato is coming." Tho foot race between Messrs. C. Williami and E. O'Hare, will take place on Saturday and Monday next. It will be run in heats, and the 200 and 300 yard heats will bo run on the first day ; Monday being reserved for the 100 yard heats. The mile race between Whisker and Skellie will also take place on Monday. The following are the estimates given in to the City Council by the Provincial Enginaer, M". Weaver, for the supply of water :—Nahotopu, £82,697 ; Onehunga, £44.555 ; Western springs, Low and Motion's £59,931. The annual expenditure in tha first instance is estimated at £400, and in the last two at £2,000. Mr. B. Tonks has resigned hii seat in the City Council. His reason is, that his health ) being so indifferent, he finds it impossible to giva the attention to public engagements that in his opinion they demand. The following additional lubscriptions in aid of the Greymouth Belief Fund hare been received by the Mayor :—T?., £5 ; J. C. Firth, £2 2s. ; Archibald Clark and Son, £3 3s. ; John Cosgrave, £3 3b.; E. W. Dyson, £1 Is. ; T. A. Hicks, ss. ; Thos. Russell, £2 2s. ; £16 16s. Previously subscribed, £50 10s. 6d. Total, £67 6s. 6d. According to the Thames Advertiser the ' rudder picked up by the Wahapa cutter and recognised as belonging to the cutter George did in fact belong to her. The cutter has arrived at Grahamstown, and the Captain states that her rudder was carried away, but a now one was substituted. . The crioket match yesterday resulted in favor of the "Single" by one run and four wickets to spare. Although the " Married" showod a poor score in their first innicga they mado up for it in the second, by scoring 135 i of this Mr. ReeH contributed 78 runs.

A premium of £5 is offered by tho Harbour Board for the bc3t design for.a seal,

The trustees of St. Matthew's Church applied to the City Council yesterday for permission to build a new gable to the north side of the church, for the purpose of forming an organ loft.

Mr. Donnelly, a passenger by the Keera, from Napier, has brought with him a thoroughbred short horned bull from Carlyon's herd, Napier.

A. native prisoner was brought by the Keera from Poverty Bay where he had been sentenced to two years imprisonment for housebreaking. He has been conveyed to the Stockade.

The Auckland Blue School Cadets intend giving a performance, consisting of recitations, songa, dialogues, gymnastics, &c, at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening next.

The poll for the election of two auditors to the City Council, takes place to-morrow at the Mechanics' Institute. The poll will open at 8 o'clock a.m., and close at 4 in the after noon.

The enquiry into the death of the son of Mr. Q-oodvrin, at Kaukapakapa, resulted in a verdict of " accidental death " being returned.

We are requestod to state that the collec tion at St. Matthew's Church, on behalf of the Home Mission, will uot be made on Sunday next, but on the first Sunday in April.

THE SOUTH.

{SPECIAL TO THE STAB.)

General Assembly.

Next Session to be held at

Wellington.

New Constitution.

Short Session Expected.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Wellington, Feb. 26, 3.57 p.m

The forty town sections at Paliner ston, Manauata were sold to-day . also other sections to the amount of £3000. The next session of the General As sembly is fixed to be held at Welling ton. A new constitution, embracing an amalgamation of some of the provinces, will be the question of the session. A short session is expected, and a dissolution of the Assembly will be obtained if the measure is not carried.

ARRIVAL OF THE KEERA, AND STAR OF THE SOUTH.

By the arrival of the Keera and Star of the South, this morning, we have later Southern news via Napier, from which we take the following : —

WELLINGTON

February 23

A public meeting vras held here last evening re Greymouth sufferers. A com mittee was formed, and a subscription list was opened in the room 3, when £70 was subscribed.

February 24. The Wellington crew returned to-day from Canterbury, and were received with cheers.

The Argus of the 10th contains a tele gram from Sydney, announcing the arrival

lof H.M.S. Eosario, and confirming the news of the shelling of Santa Cruz, the scene of Bishop Patteson's death,

DUNEDIN.

February 24- Ono of the Maori prisoners named Ne tana (Nathan), a member of the Ngatarui nui tribe, died in the Dunedin Hospital, aged 17 years. The deceased was a Roman Catholic, and was received into the gaol on the 6th November, 1869, to undergo a sentence of three years' penal servitude for his participation in the lato rebellion in the North Island.

NAPIER.

February 24. A consignment of immigrants, equi valent to twenty-five statute adults arrived about the beginning of the month, and im mediately found profitable occupation, They are, we hear, so far doing satis factority.

The Rapido, the last wool ship of the season, is just about to start on her home ward voyage. The G-lenhuntly left about a week ago.

THE SHARE MARKET.

MB, jr. it. LXXMOX'I MFOBT.

Thbhe was a slight improTement in the share market. All Nations were enquired for at adranced rateg. My sales comprise Cale donians, £15 155,, £15 10s. ; Thames, £5 10s; All Nations were sold at £5, ex dividend. Buyers : Caledonians, £15 j Thames, £5 lCs. j All Nations, £5 ss. Sellers : Caledonians, £15 10s.: Thames, £5 lgs. 6d. ; All Nations, £5 7b. 6d,

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS

(teom ottb own correspondent.)

Pride of Tokatea Crushing.

City of London.

North Star Crushing.

Grrahams.tbwn, 3.20 p.m.. The Bird-in-Hand have struck gold in the reef. The show is moderate.

The City of London reef is showing a little gold in the face. It is reduced in size, but of better quality.

The Pride of Tokatea crushing is completed. The specimens gave 332 ozs., and the general stuff 100 ozs.

The North Star crushing of 10 tons gave S ozs.

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY. Before T. Beckham, Esq., E.M,

DRUNKENNESS. Three persons were sentenced to the usual punishment for this offence. AN ACCUMULATION OF LABCENIES. Samuel Taylor pleaded guilty of steal ing a galvanised iron bucket. He pleaded not guilty of stealing an axe from the premises of Edward Ledger. Complainant deposed that on the 11th instant he missed the axe now produced. He next saw the axe in the hands of Con stable Jackson. Jackson deposed that ho obtained the axe from a lady, who also stated that it had bren left with her by prisoner in exchange for another. Plis Worship said the evidence was perfectly conclusive, and he must find him guilty. Prisoner was theu charged with stealing a dress, the property of Jessie Sutherland. Prosecutrix deposed to having lost the dress, aud identified one produced as being the one which had been stolen. Constable Jackson stated that he found the dress, with a number of other stolen articles in a stable, the property of Mr. Fitzgerald, of which prisoner had charge. On this charge also the case against Taylor was clear, He was then accused of stealing an axe from William Cole. On the testimony of Cole and Constable Jackson this case was also proved against prisoner. For each offence he was sentenced to two month's imprisonment with hard labour, each period to commence at the expiration of the preceding one. There wero four other charges of a similar character, but it was considered un necessary to proceed with them. ASSAULT. Ringori, a Eangatira Maori, appeared to answer a charge preferred against him by Mrs. Hale. It will doubtless be remembered that some two or three months ago this case was called on, and as defendant failed to appear, a warrant was issued for his apprehension. Bingori, hovrever, gave himself up on the advice of Dr. Shortland, and came into Court this morning in company with that gentleman. Dr. Shortland acted as interpreter and stated that Ringori utterly denied the accusation, and accounted for his absence on the previous occasion by saying that he had merely gone away to collect money to enable him to defend the case. Complainant failed to appear, and de fendant was accordingly discharged. NEGLIGENT DBIVEBS. The periodical levee of the- Inspector of Carriages, &c, was held this morning, and the following persons fined : — Hugh Willis, for commitiing a breach of the bye-laws of the City Council by leaving his cart unattended without fastening the wheel with a chain, was fined five shillings and costs. Alfred Cosgrove, for a similar act of negligence, was mulct in a like amount. William Winstone, accused of omitting to have the number of his license painted on the off side of his cart in the manner prescribed by the regulations issued by the Board, was discharged on paying the costs, as he had but recently arrived in the colony, and seemed to labor -under some difficulty in unravelling the maze of the City Board bye-laws and regulations. John Gallagher, for leaving his cart unattended, was fined ten shillings and costs. Joseph Craig pleaded guilty of neglect ing to paint the number of his license on his cart according to regulations. Fined five ihillings and costi.

David Stafford, for committing a breach of the 16th clause of the same regulations, in driving a stag* carriage without being licensed, was also fined five shillings and costs.

William Crowther was then charged with allowing the last defendant to drive one of his city stage carriages without his being licensed. Defendant called| Mr F. Brodie, Town Clerk, who deposed : There are no special of drivers' licenses. The bye-laws have been printed for the last three months. No application was made to him yester day for either bye-laws or regulations. If it had been so, the applicant could have got them. . ; , 7;

Defendant pleaded extenuating circum stances, and said that he had merely em ployed Stafford in a case of emergency, the regular driver having been hurt; and. it being impossible to obtain a license at, the time.

The Town Clerk said that a temporary arrangement might have been made had Mr Crowther taken the trouble to call at the office of the City Council and ex plained the circumstances., .• ■ . iprp Defendant was fined in the nomingl penalty of one shilling with' costs. ; , , ; ■<.-, This concluded the business.

CITY HALL.

Several members of the burnt cork tribe, styling themselves the Auckland Christy- Minstrels, gave a very creditable per formance last evening, in aid of the widow and orphans of the ; late William Fair weather, at the City Hall. We were gratified to see such a large attendance, and ( the audience appeared equally gratified with the entertainment provided loir their j especial enjoymenti i

FEBRUARY 29th

To-day is deserving of some little recogni tion. It is a date that troubles us so seldom that we may fairly do it a little honor, and at least relate its birth and parentage, and the wherefore of its exist ence? We have no doubt that its advent has created curiosity, aad we do not hesitate to say that there are multitudes of people in this city, who if not deterred by a fear of " showing their ignorance would say why on earth is there a 29th of February, and what in all the world is a Leap Year. . We propose to gratify that curiosity without subjecting any one to the humiliation of saying " I really do not know what a leap year is. Well every one knows that there are 365 days in a year, but it is not every one that carries in his memory the total and correct length of the year, which is 3G5 days, o hours, 48 minutes, and 50 seconds, lhut is the exact time from the moment of mid-winter to mid-winter again, or from any one point in the seasons till the recurrence of the same point in the following year. But counting the year thus accurately would knock all the hours of the day, and everything else in our reckoning into confusion ; and one year beginningatl2o'clock at night, the following one would begin at about 6o'clock on the morning of Ist January, while the nextyearwouldbegin aboutl2o'clock in the day. Accordingly we reckon 305 days in the year, thus losing nearly six hours, or a quarter, of a day every year. In this way we lose nearly a day every four years, and to set things right again, we tack a day on to the end of February, at the conclusion of every four years, which makes up for the four quarter days that have been lost. But it should be observed that we have not really been losing six hours altogether, but only 5 hours 48 minutes and 50 seconds; and in counting six hours we are counting too much by 11 minutes 10 seconds. It will not therefore do to count every fourth year as leap year, or there will be one day too much in about 130 years. As this would also cause confusion, one year which should be leap year, being fourth year, U not so counted, in each 100 years ; so that the " century" years AJD. 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, and so on, although " fourth years," and divisible by four, are not counted as leap years bus have each only 28 days in February. But oven this does not set all correct; for this makes provision for one day too much in each 100 years, whereas it "should be one day in each 130 years. This, then, is rectified by excepting one in each four of the " century years," begin ning with A.D. 2000, and counting these as leap years, although they are " century years." In this way the solarand the civil year are brought to approximate so closely, that it will require 5000 years to produce an error of a day, a contingency with which we need not distress ourselves, but may leave it to the ingenuity of a re mote posterity. To Julius Csesar we are indebted for the original arrangement of the leap year, as fixed for every fourth year. This was made B.C. 46, from which, period dates what is called the "Julian Calendar." This continued in force among all civilised people till in 1028 years, or in a.d. 1582, it was found that the 11 minutes 10 seconds of every year, over-accounted-for by the leap years, had accumulated to ten days, Pope Gregory XIII. had the ten days deducted ft"om the year 1582, and in order to prevent the error recurring, he fixed the arrangement of the " century years." This was at once adopted in all Catholic countries, but the Protestant peoples of Europe felt bound to decline receiving even the dictates of science from a Pope, and accordingly the acceptance of this rectification of time in England and other Protestant countries was at a much later date, and when the error had increased to 11 or 12 days. Most people are familiar with the terms "old style" and "new style," " old new year's day," &c. ; all this difference of twelve days having re ference to the alteration consequent on the acceptance of the " Gregorian Calendar." Russia is the only country in Europe that still adheres to the " old style."

Such is leap year, and such the 29th of February, a simple but effective means of harmonising the civil and the natural year. Though probably to most people, and especially to the ladies, the most in teresting thing in connection with it is, that during leap year our fair sisters may wear the red petticoat and pop the ques tion.

PROFESSOR HASELMAYER

Abtotheb entertaining and amusing per formance was given last evening by Professoi Haselmayer, at the Prince of Wales Theatre, to the intense satisfaction of the audience : the various tricks, delusions, and musical performances being loudly and rapturously applauded. A performance with a common dinner plate, and also with a much larger one, showed the Professor's abilities in that line. Every evening reveals some new feat or sleight-of-hand trick, and to those who have watched his performances, the Professor appears certainly to improve in his marvels as he proceeds. Yesterday evening was the last of his performances at the Prince of Wales Theatre. To morrow the Professor will open at the City Hall, at prices within the reach of all.

LAUNCH OF THE RUBY.

On Monday last, at the yards of Messrs Henderson and Spraggon, an interesting ceremony took place, in the launch of the above-named vessel, a pretty fore and aft schooner, which has been re-moddled from a cutter of 38 feet. Her present dimen sions are—s3 feet keel, 16 feet beam; and 7 feet depth. We may say that she is al most new and a prettier craft we have not seen glide from the slip for sonic months. As she moved towards her native element the admiring by-standanders pronounced her perfect. Of all the numerous vessels that this firm has turned out we have never heard of a single complaint. The Ruby is. built for the coasting trade, and is owned by Messrs Henderson, Spraggon, and Cachpool, thus adding another mem ber to our numerous coasting fleet.

The rifle range will be closed from this date until the loth March, between tha hours of 9 and 4, except for district priz^ firing and the Rifle Association.

THE VOLUNTEER CHRONICLE.

BLT7E SCHOOL CADET CORPS

Several members of the above corps met at the butts, Mount Eden, for rifle practice yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock. Tl 6 following is the score : —

The efficiency of this corps is -in a great measure due to the untiriag efforts and zeal of Mr. Taylor, the principal of the Blue School.

The second competition for prizes pre sented to the Artillery Eifle Club will take place next Tuesday. To prevent any delays, it has been resolved by the com mittee of management, that any member not appearing on, or .before the second round has been commenced, shall be dis- , qualified, unless a satifactory reason for non-punctuality can bo given to the com mittee. ' ■ 7 The No. 1 Company (Royals) A.R.V., met last evening for parade under Captain Burns, after which the men marched Out headed by their efficient band. No 5 (Victoria) company A.R. V. and Cadets also assembled for parade last evening at the drill shed, and creditable acquitted themselves. 'ihe February inspection parade of the Auckland Volunteer Engineers took place last evening, Captain Dargaville in command. ',' JJ m ~ The Prince Alfred Light-Horse Troop of Cavalry Volunteers met yesterday in the Albert Barracks, for their monthly inspection; Captain Smith in command. Great credit is due to this officer for the interest he takes in this troop, in bringing it to such a degree of proficiency. , . The match between the Thames Scottish Volunteers, aud the Dunediri Volunteers, has resulted this time in a victory for the former, being3B9 points to 383 ; but itmust be borne in mind that Captain Wales' team fired with only nine men, instead of ten. After the monthly parade of No. 5 com pany A.R.V. last evening, Major Gordon presented the prizes won last Monday. The major accompanied the presentation with some complimentary remarks, and a few words of advice. A further contest will take place next Monday morning for a silver snuff-box, a fowling-piece, and a revolver. We understand the conpany intends to establish a prize club, for the purpose of offering prizes to be fired for by the members. This evening and every following Thurs day evening, until further notice, there will be a battalion parade of Nos. 1 and 5 company A.R.V., and the Hobson com pany, in the Drill-shed. The Auckland College Cadets mustered for the monthly inspection in the Albert Barracks yesterday afternoon. There was a good muster. Their arms were in spected, and the numbers on the rifles taken down. The gold star,presented to No. 1 Com pany Navals and Cadets for competition was won by Private Coyle with a score of ,38. Two money prizes got up amongst them were won by privates F. Lamb and W. Smith, with scores of 36 and 32. The firing throughout the day was far from good. The Blue School Cadets were inspected this morning, by Major Gordon, in the Albert Barracks,"at half-past six o'clock. There was a good muster. The firing of the Hawke's Bay com petitors for the special militia prizes offered by the General Government took place on Saturday morning. Twenty three prizes are offered, amounting altogether to £35, the highest of which, £6, will be taken by the highest scorer in the colony. ... There were only fire competitors. The ranges were 300, 400, and 500 yards, five shots at each, and the following scores were made : — Ensign Wood, 50; Sergeant Willams, 49 ; Ser geant Sbbley, 44 ; Captain Kennedy, 39 ; Sergeant Arrow, 37.— SawJces Bay Titnes. A carbiue match between the Hawke'sT Bay Cavalry and the Taupo Constabulary, came off at Napier last Saturday, the Yeomanry Cavalry men scoring 262, to the Constabulary, 255.

MINING NEWS.

From the Coroniatidel Mail. '; -j-1 The Tokatea has been sending down better stone to the mill then it has for some time back, but not in same quantity, and we are given to understand that after the next cleaning up and retort ing which will take place on Monday next, , this mine will relinquish its lease of the New Zealand Company's battery. The Harbour View struck gold last week in the new low level tunnel, and has since cut across several small gold-bearing leaders from which some nice specimens have been taken. The chief advantage, however, derived from the present work ings is the fact that this mine has proved itself as auriferous in the low,- as in the upper levels. The Pride of the Tokatea continues to find rich specimens, and seems to have come across a strong run of gold. • , i- Tlie Golconda had a cleaning up OJU- Saturday last at the Nil Desperandifon battery. The result was 39 ozs. 10 dnfits. from 45 tons. The battery is at pres %&\ crushing for its own claim, and the s* -Vt is looking well upon the tables. ~i ■ ' ■ '' 0 A

THE EVENING STAB, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1872.

2



Lieut. Willdigg... Ensign Dulhie ... Serg. Seon Serg. Wallace ... Corporal Edwards Private Wilson ... ,, Symon ... ,, Cooper .. ;. „ Mclncioe ,, BraJly „ Cnmpbell „ Bell ...

10

)0 yards. ' 32243 43032 33314 23323 32422 23034 43324 43320 41223 33024 23224 30232

Toi, 14; 12 17 13 13 12 16 11 15 12 13 10



J CATER (late Ceombie's), ROYAL • PHOTOGRAPHIC G ALLERY, Queen street, Auckland, ha 3 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 cirilty and attention, as welJ as first»class and artistic portraits at his hands, and that no pain 3 will be spared to give entire satisfaction. J C. also wishes to inform the Lndies that arrangements are now made for taking instantaneous Portraits of Children. OLSON'S TOMATO SAUCE. fTTHE immense Success attending the intro- L duction of this new local industry will alone testify to the high estimation in which ib is held. During the last year the proprietor was scarcely able to supply the large demand, and has in consequence made extensive alterations and additioni to hu Factory, so as to be enabled to keep the market well supplied No one who values health and appetite should be without a supply of this really health-restor ing and agreeable condimont. Sold everyw here in Bottles with the name of H. OLSON on wrapper and stamped on bottle and stopper. Auckland, lObh February, 1872. jfiK AAA WORTH of GROCERIES $*O)\J\J\J md PROVISIONS to be Bold at Cost Price, previous to our Removal to our New Central Premises, nest to the Southern Cross office, Queen street. Families, Storekeepers, and Coa3tera, are invited to call at their old establishment, BARNETT AND LEVY'S NOTED RED HOUSE, next to the Theatre Royal. RELINQUISHING BUSINESS. FINAL NOIICE. R. ITOBBS WILL offer for the next Eigiit Weeks, (unless disposed of during that time), the Whole of his very large Shock of Genera and Household Drapery anc? Men's and Boys Clothing, at very low prices. February 12, 1872. J^S) £500 WOETH of musi° and SONGS set to MUSIC to be given away by F. H. Lewisson, Jeweller, Queen street. For each £1 worth of Jewellery purchased at Establishment, the same amount of Songs or Music given in.—F. H. Lewisson, Queen street. T COSQ-EAYE & C 0 .'i V MONSTER SALE of DRAPERY and CLOTHING is now on. They have a tremendous lot •f Bargains to offer to the public. The Largest #tock in New Zealand to choose from.



The Hawke's Bay Herald of the 26th inst, is responsible for the following:— " We learn, that the committee appointed to collect subscriptions for the relief of the Greymouth sufferers, before canvassing for subscriptions, put themselves in com munication with persons on the spot, fully competent to advise them as to the neces sities of the case and received the follow nig answer:—There is no necessity for subscriptions. There is little distress and ample means of relief in hand. Under these circumstances the committee have returned all monies that had been handed to them."



The following extract is taken from tae Sydney Morning Herald, -whore it is appended as a note to a paragraph, in reference to the supposed burning of a ship off the western coast of Australia, "With respect to the above we learn from Captain Davey, commander of the ship Strathnavar, that the ship Blue Jacket, Captain Wbite, which was destroyed by fire off the Falkland Islands on 9fch March, 1869, while on her passage from Lyttelton, N.Z., to London, was furnished -with a figurehead, scroll, and motto exactly of the character described in Mr. Forsy th'a report. The fact of westerly winds and currents prevailing in the high latitudes would readily account for the wreck reaching the western shores of Australia. The absence of seaweed, &o. on wreck) is always observable ia cold climates,"