SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 5.11. HIGH WATER : This afternoon, 12.35.

DEPARTURES.

Comerang, p.s., Chrisp, for Northern ports. Briton, barque, Dyson, for Newcastle. Ivanhoe, schooner, McGregor, for Mongomii. Onward, schoone1', for Maiden Icland. Eagle, keic'j, for Russell.

The ship Helenslee, from London, is now fully due. She has no doubt been detained on the coast with the N.E. gales reported. The p,s. Duke of Edinburgh is at present under going some alterations and a thorough overhaul at the North Shore.

The ship Wild Duck will not load for London as previoxisly announced, but is intended to sail for New castle in a few days. The ship Caduceus, leaving for London in a few days, carries a surgeon. The schooner Dauntless cleared outwards tins morn ing for Tauranga with a general cargo. The cutter Elizabeth, 10 tons, Captain Campion, has cleared outwards for Norfolk Island, with 1,000 feet timber.

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND-STREET.

Mails will Close as Under For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m. ; and to-morrow, at 10.SO a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Tairua, per Janet Grey, to-morrow, at 9 a.m. For Kapanga, per Royal Alfred, to-morrow, at 10.30 p.m. For Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, and Southern pro vinces, per Rangatira, to-morrow, atl p,m, Late letters will be received here till 1.30 p,m. For Australian Colonies, India, China, Mauritius, Mediterranean ports, Continent of Europe, and United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and via Suez and Southampton, per Wonga Wonga, immediately after the arrival of Nebraska from Honolulu. For Napier and Southern provinces per s.s. Nebraska six hours after her arrival from Honolulu. S. B. Biss. Postmaster.

STEAMER FOR THE THAMES THIS EVENING.

Lady Baw:n, 11 o'clock.

ARRIVALS.

Nil.

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

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1872.

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

On Friday last a deputation from the Harbour Board waited on the Colonial Treasurer on matters of grave import ance connected with* the Auckland harbour, and the Press was politely excluded. Yesterday "a Court of En quiry was held in this city into a case affecting the liberty of Volunteers, and consequently the cause of Volunteering, and the Press was excluded. On yes terday also a conference of battery and mining managers with the Under Secretary of Public "Works, Q-oldfields Department, was held at the Thames, the subject being a water supply for the goldfields, and the Press was excluded. "Where, we ask, is this going to end? "We are very far from saying that there may net be occasions when conferences on public affairs between the repre sentatives of various public interests should be conducted in private; but we do not hesitate to say. that they should be watched with jealousy. It may as a general thing be ac cepted as truth-that in every case; f in which the Press is excluded from \ sources of information respecting public interests, there is something

which will not bear the public eye. In the case of the recent deputation to Mr. Vogel, when the representatives of the Press were politely requested by the deputation—not by Mr. "Vogel—to withdraw, it is very well known that the Harbour Board.desired to carry on a little negociation independently of His Honor the Superintendent; that in fact it was intended to snub Mr. Grillies for his action relative to the £5,000. JSTow we do not enter on the question as to whether this intention was right or wrong; suffice it to say that Mr. Vogel does not appear to have fallen into the trap, and that the Harbour Board made a miscalculation ■in expecting to catch a weasel asleep. For all the practical results that have been obtained therefore, the Press might as well have been admitted, and Mr. Grillies made aware of the coquetting that was going on. It is quite possible that in this case no evil may have resulted from the secrecy thrown around the interview. In the case of the secret Court of Enquiry held yesterday, we have felt perfectly warranted in taking the best means we could to possess ourselves of a statement of the proceedings. And although " battery and mining managers " are not regarded as a class •of the community above lending them selves to questionable intrigue, the proposals yesterday made at the Thames within those closed doors, may possibly not have been of a dishonest character. But if this state of things is allowed to continue it will probably generate a species of intriguing in affairs of public interest very difficult to overcome. And in this it is quite unnecessary to say that it is not the interests of newspaper proprietors that are involved. People often speak sneeringly of the efforts of newspaper people to hunt out news, assuming that it is only done to sell their papers. But the very fact that this does sell papers shows that there is a public thirst for informatiou, and if the public crave to know what is proceeding in their own affairs the newspaper, as the instrument to satisfy that craving, is quite warranted in breaking down every obstacle to the possession of legitimate information. It must be seen that, in the exclusion of the Press, it is the public that is excluded, and if matters are proceed ing which the press should not divulge, there is strong reason to believe that they are not of a character which the public would tolerate. The newspaper is the people's all-seeing eye, and any attempts to close that eye by polite cajolery or by insolent force should be resented as a public wrong. The late proceedings in this respect may be overlooked; but if any further attempts are made to close the eye of the public, we shall take upon us to examine -what there is in the past career of the per sons so acting to warrant them in claiming from the public a blind and an implicit confidence.

It is not our intention at present to enter in detail on the subject of the Volunteer Court of Inquiry which sat yesterday, as reported in another column ; but there are a few points in connection with it to which we must refer. As so strenuous efforts are made to reduce our volunteer system to the strictest military discipline, it must strike most observers as a singular thing that a sergeant should report his senior officer. We have no doubt it is quite right, as the sergeant enjoys the proud distinction of having been a member of the Brjtish Army, and the Captain only belongs to the volunteers; so that possibly the ser geant may be looked on as of higher standing. Still, considering that we are trying to make our defence force popular, this, to say the least, looks queer.

And again we cannot help remark ing that it is a singular thing that if a gentleman devotes his time and his money to the volunteer cause he must be debarred from expressing his opinions when out of uniform, and off duty, respecting the treatment his company may have received from the officials of the department who are paid for their work. It is np doubt quite right too according to military rule, still none the less on that account will it tend to damn the cause of volunteer-

ing. - And again, it will strike most people as a remarkable thing that on its being alleged that words were used dis paraging of the conduct of the officer commanding the district, that officer should himself select the officers who are to constitute the Court and try the offender. This is, of course, according to rule, but it is none the less queer on that account, and it only serves to further corroborate our assertion that strict military rules and the importation of the principles of the most defective military system of Europe will be the ruin of our defence force. Volunteer ing from its very name implies that the feelings of the people must be enlisted, and anything so manifestly and so palpably unjust as the constitution of such a court must be repugnant to the feelings of a people inspired with the fair and generous principles that in fluence colonial life.

■ A public tea meeting will bo held to-morrow evening in the Pitt.street Wesleyan Sunday school. Some Tory choice selections of lacred music will be rendered by the choir during the evening.: : iThe regular practice of the members of the Choral Society will take place at the Council Chambers this evening.

We are always willing to admit -when ire ' arc wrong, and when a wrong or grievance which we have drawn attention to has been remedied, we are always willing to give the credit due. We do so now in the appointment of our Mayor as a Resident Magistrate, and thank the Government for the appointment. It has been a long felt grievance the absence of the Resident Magistrate, Mr. Beckbam, at the Thames, when a speedy summons wa« required which could not legally be issued without him. Our Mayor has filled the gap, and yesterday his powers were brought into operation in enforcing a claim in a cause in which without him some poor men wouldhave lost their earnings by the departure of one, who, when arrested, settled their claim. There i 9, however, one slight drawback yet. Our Mayor receives no pay for his office of Resident Magistrate, and it is not right if we avail ourselves of his service that he should be compelled to sit in that out-of-the-way Court-house in Edon street. The Government ought to permit the use of the Court-house !in High street, which will not take him to far from his business ; in fact all the civil business of the Resident Magistrate's Court ought to be done there, of which we shall say more anon.

We must persistency state that the con troversy about the Licensing Bench and the Widow's Son is closed. We have to-day received a new batch of letters on the subject, soveral of them well written, and on both sides of the question.— " H.," " Who is Ginx's Baby ?" " Arcades Ainbo," "Spider R,andß.," " A Resident," North Road, " P. 8.," "Holo caust," and " Fiat Justitia." But with refer ence to one and all without any distinction we must respectfuliy but firmly decline. Wo thank "Toddy the Tiler" for his letter and the information. We are stware of all those movements, but we do not like to pub lish the letter to increase the agonies unless it becomes nocessary.

In another column another aspect of tho Cowan cuso is presented in a letter from his wife. Wo have given opportunity for full ventilation of the case by admitting all corres pondence pro and con. We have made one exception, and that is the correspondence of Cowan himself. It is said that some stiff things appear in the Slar, but wo can assure our readers that there are stiffer things laid on our table which do not appear, and one of two letters fro-n Cowan now lying before us, and which we are enjoined to insort, is stiff — some. Wo like a gale, but our heart fails at the thought of the tornado that would envelope our little craft if it took aboard such cargo ai this.

There was again a formidable looking charge sheet at the Police Court this morning although mostly consisting of petty caies; the man Laugton is again remanded for the assault at Kiverhead, the poor fellow Delaney from last accounts still lingering on at the hospital. Doubts are again expressed about his recovery. The charge against the barman of the Oriental hotel for fighting in the street ought never to hare been "brought into Court, as the evidence tended to show that there had been a piece of police ofliciousness in the matter. It appeared that a drunken man had been behaving in a very disorderly manner on Saturday night, and was ejected from two shops, when he proceeded to kick violently at tho public-house door. The barman want out to compel him to desist, when the man closed with him, whereupon the police interfered and took the barman into custody and locked him up. After such, an incident as this publicans will consider themselves an aggrieved lot indeed. If they supply a drunken man, or serve after hours, they are liable to be fined and to lose their license; and if they bundle" the man out they are liable to be locked up for a breach of the Vagrancy Act. The case was very properly dismissed by his Worship the Mayor, although in addition to the imprisonment the barman had to pay his counsel's fees and witnesses.

The return of sick treated at the Provincial Hospital during the week ending Saturday, April 27, 1872.: —Eemained last return, 73; admitted since, 13 ; discharged, 13 ; died 2 ; ramaining, 71 ; males, 61 ; females, 10 ; Arrangement of cases: —Fever, convalescent, 1; cancer 2 j scrofula, 2 ; syphilis, 3 j phthisis, 7; rheumatism, 11; neuralgia, 1 j paralysis, 5 ; epilepsy, 2 ; bronchitis, 3 ; pleurisy, 1 ; pneumonia, 2; aneurism; 1; amaurosis, 1; dyspepsia, 1 ; diarrhcoa, 1; albuminuria, 1; oystites, 1; fistula, 2 ; cutaneous, 2 ; caries and necrosis, 5 ; abscess and ulcer,.s ; fracture, 3 ; wounds and contusions, 7 ; debility, 1. Two men died 1 on 23ed of phthisis, and the othor 24th, of heart disease, terminating in general dropsy. The number of children vaccinated was five. Thanks are returned to Mr. Ewen for a bundle of old linen. Further suppliei will be thankfully received.

Mr. H. if. Warner has given notica to the public that he is not a liquidator in the Auckland Consolidated Gk>ldmining Company, nor has he any connection whatever with the company, having sent in his resignation to Mr Lusk some time back. We had hoped to have heard the last of this company long ago.

We are requested to draw attention to the performance to take place to»night at the Prince of Wales Theatre for the benefit of Mr. Martin Simonsen, the modern Paganini, and under the distinguished patronage of hii Excellency Sir George Bowen. A great musical treat is promised.

We have much pleasure in affording to our esteemed and respected collaborateur in the field of letters, Mr. Punch, the opportunity through our columns of making the following terse and telling speech:— All you who write or talk of," Bducation," Or descant on " Railway Administration," And all such themes of droughty dissertation, , For Mercy's sake do study condensation Of sense in fewest words' consolidation. A weariness of the flesh, and a vexation, Are lengthy leader and prolix oration On questions we are fain that Legislation : Should settle with the speediest termination, [ Matters of weight, the heavier for negation ;Of interest; bores evolving execration, Life is too short for daily contemplation Of subjects all spun out with observation ; Days, drawing in, the more abbreviation Of comment ask; demand terse demonstration. Cease, tiling patience, to wake indignation. :

We are glad to hear that encouragement is held out by a few of our kindly disposed North Shore residents to Willie Steele, and that in consequence he intends to give one of his unique and inimitable concerts in that favorite suburb on Thursday evening.

Mr. P. O. J. McLood's coach across the portage of the Kaipara has ceased running for the season.

The City Band of Hope will hold a meeting to-night at the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms.

We hare'received an enquiry with reference to a packageof manuscript transmitted thi'ough the post, &c. Will the writer kindly favour us with a call ?

We have received the following from our correspondent at Onehuuga :—" Mr. Darga> ville'a notice of motion at the Auckland Harbour Board, proposing to take over the Itfanukau Harbonr Reserves, was the cause of bringing together a number of the leading inhabitants of Onehunga last evening. A very lively discussion ensued, when it was ultimately decided to adjourn the meeting pending further proceedings.

How true it is that we go abroad to learn news of home. We observe the following in yesterday's Thames Guardian: —" Storm in Auckland.—Vessel washed ashore.—Auckland, Sunday, 5"15. —It is raining very heavily, and a strong northerly gale is blowing. The schooner Age has been washed ashore." We were not aware that a schooner of that name was lying in the harbour on Sunday last; and certain it is that no such vosseJ was washed ashore.

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY

Before His Worship the Mayor. DKUNKENNESS.

An old woman was fined 5s and costs for getting drunk. Mary Burke was sent to gaol for seven daya for repeated acts of drunken ness ; a man named Shiers, for having been drunk and disorderly; and another named Thotna§, for a similar offence, were each fined 20s and costs, or 48 hours' imprison ment. The united previous convictions against two of these prisoners amounted to fifty-two. DISOBEDIENT SEAMAN. George Chalmers, a seaman belonging "to the s.s. Rangatira, was charged with wilful disobedience of the lawful commands of the master of the said steamer. The captain of the steamer proved that the prisoner was abusive to the chief officer on board last night, and was ordered by him (the captain) to his bunk, which order he refused to obey, and continued his abused and disorderly behaviour. The chief officer corroborated the captain, and said that the man was drunk at the time. The prisoner made a statement to the effect that the mate had provoked him. The Court sentenced him to fourteen days' imprisonment with had labour. lancent.

Elizabeth, alias Bridget Hargreave3, was charged with stealing a pair of trousora, valued at 12s Gd, from the shop of S. & J. R. Vaile, Queen street.

Mr. Bennet, on behalf of the old lady's son, made a novel application to the Bench, namely, that the case might not be proceeded with, and the son would undertake to send her out Of the colony by the Bella lilary to-morrow. Her pilfering habits had long been a course of pain and annoyance to the young man; and he was now willing to send her away to Hobart Town, in order that the shopkeepers of tbat town might have a share of her patronage. This course was assented to by the Bench on condition that the person remain ie custody until tho sailin.. of the vessel. THE EIYEBIIBAD OUTEAGE. Peter Langton was again brought up on remand, charged with having committed a violent assault upon Fenton Delaney, at River head, on tho sth instant. On the application of Inspector Broham tha case was again remanded for a week, the pro^ secutor being still unable by his injuries to appear. ALLEGED POLICE PERSECUTION. Edward Lang was charged (on remand) with a breach of the Vagrant Act, 1866, and Amendment Act, 1569, section 4, by behaving in a public street, to wit Queen street, with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. Mr. Joy, L.L.8., appeared for the defence. Detective Ternahan deposed on oath, as follows: On Saturday night, at about a quarter to 12 o'clock, I observed the prisoner fighting with another man outside the Oriental hotel. I went to separate them, when pris6ner caught hold of me. The other men got away. Constable O'Connor went after him. The prisoner had no coat on. To Mr. Joy : The prisoner is a barman at the Oriental hotel, and it is usual for barman to be without their coats. The house was closed, Ido not know tho other man. I have heard the name MacKavany. This man was not drunk. I do net remember being asked to arrest the other man. 1 did not mention Trimble's name that night. The prisoner might have been turning out the other man. Ido not know what happened before I came up. I did not pull the prisoner off the door-step. Constable O'Connor was wifsh Ternahan at the time, and saw the other man knock the prisoner over. Witness did not go after the other man, but stopped with Ternahan in case prisoner should be violent. He had since tried to find tho other man. A witness also saw the occurrence, and observed that the accused seemed excited, but did not see the commencement of the affair. To Mr. Joy : O'Connor went after the other man, but came back again directly after. Ternahan said to the acoused, "You're a known bad character; you've beea often charged with breaking people's heads in public-houses." Did not hear Trimble's name mentioned. Robert Brown, restaurant keeper, li?ing on the opposite side of the road, deposed to observing the fight close to the side door of the hotel. Thii was the case for the prose cution. Mr. Joy stigmatised the proceedings of the police as having been harsh and one-sided in the extreme, and showed tho truth of the remark made by Taylor in his valuable Law ' Commentary, that policemen, like keen sports men, were determined to bag their game without any regard to guilt or innocence. He pointed out the glaring discrepancies in the evidence of the witnesses; and also alleged that there was evidently a strong bias against the accused in consequence of his having acted as barman to Trimble. He then called : Asher Cohen, a lodger at the Oriental hotel, who proved that the marl not in custody had violently kicked at the door of the house, demanding drink, upon which the barman, unable to keep the door closed against his violence, went outside to send him away, when the man seized him, and a scuffle eniued. The detective then came up, and apprehended the barman. The drunken man had previously been . turned out of Mr. Woodward'o, tho

baker, and Mr. Giles', the butoher, for his violent behaviour. Mr. Joy intimated that he had several other witnesses who would depose to the same effect. His Worship considered that no case had been made out. The barman had simply endeavoured to do his duty in ejecting a noisy man from his master's house after closing hours, and the constable had appre hended the wrong man. This perhaps was partly owing to the defendant catching hold of him when he came up to separate them. The case would therefore be dismissed. BKBACH OF THE MONICIPAI/ CORPOBATION ACT. Eugene Reilly, for omitting to keep a light burning over or near a hole in Victoria street, was fined 10s. and costs. This concluded the business

COURT OF INQUIRY.

A Court of Inquiry convened by Major Gordon, and consisting of Captains Derrom (president), Burns, and Featon sat yesterday at the Drill Shed from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m., for the purpose of investigating certain charges preferred by Sergeant-Major Haslem against Captain Williams of th.9 Auckland College Cadets. The oomplaint was that on the 4th day of March last Captain Williams made use of the following expressions to Sergt.»Major Haslem in reply to his enquiry as to when the drill of the College Cadets was to be resumed : "That there would bo no more drill of the College Cadets until the whole matter was enquired into by the Defence Minister, and that the troatment he (Capt. Williams) had received from Major Gordon was something horrible." These charges were embodied by Haslem in a statement addressed to Major Gordon, who applied to Capt. Williams for an explanation of the same. In reply, Capt. Williams for warded a letter, of which the following is a copy :— The College, April 24,1872. Major Gordon. Sir, —In reply to your communications of March 15 and 22, and April 22, 1872, in which you request an explanation of certain statements attributed to me in a document addressed to -you by one Patrick Haslem, I btjrto state 1. That the conversation referred to was between Hasleni and the Principal of the College relative to his duties as paid instructor of the College Cadets, and that I am not prepared to say whether or not I made use of the expressions contained in Haslem's document and underlined by you in red ink ; so far as my memory serves me I did not make use of the words referred to. 2. That even granting that I didexpresa opinions as to the treatment the College Cadets have received from your department, I consider that I was perfectly justified in so doing, and that as neither InorHaslem were in uniform, that it was a gross piece of impertinence on the one hand, and toadyism on the other, for Haslem to report his superior officer. 3. If there are any regulations for the guidance of Volunteer officers as to their duties in uniform and out of uniform I will be glad to receive a copy. I have, &c, S. Williams.

Upon receipt of this letter Major Gordon conTened the court of inquiry. Sergeant-major Eastern in hit evidence itated that he ie an officer of the permanent stall", and was drill instructor to the Auckland College cadets, and recapitulated the circumstances and conversation as detailed in" his memorandum to Major (Gordon. In cross-examination he a»id that he neither waa employed nor paid by any one for drilling the College cadets or any other body of volunteers. Sergeant Wainhouse recollected the conversation referred to in Haslem's memorandum, but could not be certain whether the expressions said to have beon made me of by Captain Williams referred to his own experience or to the treatment received by the College cadet?. Neither Captain Williams, Haslem, nor himself were in uniforn. Haslem did not say to Captain Williams that Major G-ordon had sent him to arrange about drill of the cadets.

Mr. Baird, principal of the Auckland Col lege, recollected the conversation referred to. Captain Williams did not use the words " That Gordon's treatment of him was horrible." From the formation of the College cadet corps, until the end of last year, he had paid Haslem for his services as drill instructor. Produced Haslem's receipt for the last quarter of 1871. Did not employ him after that, as he had refusod to attend the company when sent for. Recollect Haslem calling upon him at the College on tho evening of the 14th March. Haslom asked for a letter to the effect that ho had not received pay for drilling the cadets; this not being tho truth, was refused. Haslem, on the following day, the 15th March, sent in his memorandum of oharges against Captain Williams, reporting a conversation which took place eleven days previous, viz., on the 4th.

This concluded the eridence, and in reply to the Court Captain Williams stated that he relied upon the evidence, and his letter of the 24th instant, a copy of which he handed in for bis defence. The Court then permitted Captain Williams to withdraw, and resumed the considera tion of the case. We believe according to the ordinary routine tho records of the evidence as taken down hy the President, with the comments of the Court thereupon, will be for warded to head quarters, so that it will be some time before the result is known.

The annual meeting of the Hobson Rifle Volunteers will be held on the 7th May, at the Catholic Institute, Wellington street.

OTAGO GOLD MINING COMPANY.

To-day, at noon, the half-yearly meeting of shareholders in the Otago Gold Mining Com pany took place in the hall of the Mechanics' Institute. A good many shareholders were present, Mr. J. 0. Stone taking the chair and explaining the objeofc of the meeting. Mr. MacKellar, tho legal manager, read the half-yearly report aad balance-sheet, which were followed by the mine manager's report. In remarking upon these statements the chairman observed that as yet nothing had been done but pi'ospecting. He thought the concluding part of the report laid before them the pith of the matter—that while the Otago is one of the most valuable mines on the field, it was impossible to say what would result from tho operations being carried on. Two or three shareholders having been satisfied as to the bearings of the claim on the plan laid before the meeting, the adoption of the report, balance sheet, and mine manager's statement was moved, seconded, and unanimously carried.

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

The attendance was thin at the theatre last evening considering the excellent entertain* nient provided. A very amusing comedy, "Twenty Minutes with a Tiger," was per formed, and kept the audience in roars of laughter. The concert by those great artistes Mr. and Madame Simonseri, assisted by Madame Moller, followed, and was thor oughly enjoyed. The laughable farce of "Crossing the Line" was brought to an abrupt conclusion owing to the boisterous behaviour of the " pit-ites," who insisted on Mr. Walter Hill giving a third encore to a capital song, "The Saucy Arethusa," which that gentleman did not seem to see. The audience would hare nothing else, and the curtain was rung down in consequence. This evening the performance will be for the benefit

of that prince of violinsts, Mr Martin Simonsen, and will be under the distinguished patronage of his Excellency the Governor. An entire change of programme will be offered, and the greatest musical treat ever presented to an Auckland audience is announced on the bills, including the celebrated violin solo "The Bird on the Tree," which comprises imitations of different Ringing birds.

TELEGRAPHIC.

SPECIAL TO THE STAR.

(from otte own coeeespondent.)

Panic in Caledonians.

Central Italy.

Geahamstown, April 30, 3 p.m. There lias been quite a panic here to-day in Caledonian shares. They fell to £15, but are now steadying and gradually recovering. It was rumored that the whole surface of the mine was settling down on theworkings. The facts are these :— The ground has settled down on the old stopes. The timbers have been cracking all night, but now. everything is safe, and the ground has safely settled down. The works are proceeding as usual. The Central Italy have cut through the lode in the shaft. It is much broken up. The quartz is about eight inches thick, and the broken lode about 18 inches.

WANGANUI.

Tuesday, 10 a.m.

The s.s. St. Kilda arrived here late last evening from the Manakau. The gale has subsided.

BLENHEIM.

Tuesday, 10 a.m. The rivers are falling; wind still blowing strong from S.E. No communication yet with Dune din or the Bluff.

TAURANGA.

Tuesday, 10 a.m

Heavy sea on here this morning. Blowing strong from S.E., with heavy rain.

WELLINGTON.

Tuesday, 11 a.m. The lines are down between here aud Nelson.

Monday.

Further evidence was taken to-day by the Karori Asylum Commissioners. The result proves systematic cruelty and ill-treafcment of patients. Sailed—Kosario, for Auckland.

Great Floods at Timaru.

Destruction of the Suspension Bridge.

Loss of Life.

[Pee Q-bevime's Telegram Company.]

CHRISTCHURCH.

Tuesday. 2.30 p.m. The line is again open to Dunedin and Timaru.

The Kaipoi railway was opened yes terday. Messrs. Reeves, Stafford, and Rolleston went up in a special train.

At the Rifle Association meeting Trooper Kohn was the winner of the championship.

TIMARU.

Monday, 2 p.m. We have had very serious floods here since Saturday, causing immense destruction to property. The Suspension Bridge at Timuka and the Protective Works at Opiha are completely destroyed. The Ohipa Bridge is also destroyed.

George Bradford was drowned while attempting to cross the Suspension Bridge.

LATEST AUSTRALIAN TELE GRAMS.

SYDNEY.

A large meeting of cabmen was held last night, at which it was resolved that if the Corporation enforced the reduced scale of charges they would all strike.

Maize is in good demand at 2s 6d for prime samples.

The City of Hobart has returned to port with a portion of her machinery broken, which will entail a delay of ten days. Rishard Crossing, reported as having com mitted suicide at Wa-nganui, has left a large amount of property, which, he settled on his wife before he absconded. A reward of £100 was offered by Government for his arrest.

At the wool sales to-day, fleece and scoured descriptions were a shade dearer.

The, bulk of the Mary Blair's cargo of teas has been sold privately for the Melbourne market. A sale of fencing wire has been made at £26.

ADELAIDE.

A challenge from Wills, Cosstick, and Con way, to play five South Australian cricketers on the Queen's Birthday, has been declined, there not being a suitable ground yet. The Opera troupe gave a final concert in the Town hall last night, in the presence of a large audience. Mr. Cagli distributed gold medals to th« principal artistes, in commemo ration of the Australian tour. . The. Bey. ■P. S. Menzies and the opera troupe are passengers by the Coorong, which sailed to-day. £r , Wheat has been sold at ss. B£d. afloat, and 5 3 . 9d. . . ? Materials for the manufacture of cystallised carbonate of soda have been found in large quantities: Professor Ulrich's reports on the mineral resources of the Northern District has been laid before Parliament. He visited during his tour' twenty-one copper mines and ore' localities, also four gold-fields. He reports the prospects of some copper mines as good and lasting, and recommends that the country about Ke Kina should be searched for gold. — Melbourne Daily Telegraphy April 18.

CORRESPONDENCE.

R3TWt do not hold ourselves responsiblo for tfae opinions expressed by our correspondents.

ESCHEW LOGOMACHY AND BE SHORT.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab.

Sis, —The dissenters from tha plain, old fashioned, orthodox doctrine of moderationism in dietetics, especially in fluids (I mean, of course, the teetotallers), are just now engrossing too much public notice by too largely occupying your popular pages. Permit "me to inform you that, as a simple matter of fact, this whole thing has Tery generally become more than tiresome: it is really disgusting the common mind. Irrespective of the right and the wrong of the thing, per I se, you would, I happen to know, contribute refreshment to the people by ordering a change in the subject-themo.—There is monotony in the everlastingly repeated teetotal delirerancei. They keep on and on multiplying columns of frightfully declamatory and essentially sophistical •tuff, based on the very queer assumption that " the golden mean, or medium, is laadtn. Enough. I am, <Sbc, W. E. Sadleb. [The controveny is closed and we are struggling to keep it closed. It is difficult work for the combatants seem to have so got their backs up.—Ed. E.S.]

THE COW NUISANCE.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib, —You are conferring a great benefit upon the suburbs of Auckland by jour much re quired remarks in your last issue. It is quite time that something was done in the matter of this cow-keeping on other people's allotment system in such general rogue. "Cattle feeding on a 1000 hills" is doubtless a pleasing sight in a large pastoral district, but not on the verge of the city'boundaries, from the herbage of 33 feet allotments, with the con comitants of shoeless ragged children of both sexes, to the detriment of empty houses, damage of fences and injury to newly-formed paths; and also to the annoyance of neigh bours, and the encouragement of the parents of such children in the neglect of their educational and moral duties. My remarks are intended to apply to those cow«keepers who, not possessing an inch of land beyond their own tenement, feed their cattle upon that of their neighbours, continuing with un disturbed impunity to injure them regardless alike of threats or remonstrance. Trmting you will continue to "right the wrong," &c, I am, &c, A RaTEPAYEB.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab.

Sib,— As you always advocate the rights of the public;l beg a corner in your independent paper. The great Corporation of Auckland has passed a by-law prohibiting goats from being kept within the Corporation boundary under a penalty of £5. To my surprise yester day, on going through the Albert Barracks, I cbunted no leas than ten goats grazing on the public .property r bub I suppose they belong to government officials, and that there is one law for the poor and another for the rich. I am, &c, J. Beotfn,

THE EVENING STAIt, TUESDAY, APBIL 30, 1872.

2



Tji I N A L NOTICE. RELINQUISHING BUSINESS. R. HOBBS Having disposed of the greater part of his Summer Stock of Drapery and Clothing, will now, for a few weeks longer, offer the whole of his Large Stock of Winter Goods, eousisting'of Winceys, FrenchMerinoes, Flannels, Blankets, Alloa and Fingering Yarns, Wool Scarfs, and Woollen Hosiery in great variety. WATERPROOF MANTLES And Jackets for Ladies and Girls, of the very newest shapes, at extraordinary low prices. BLACK FRENCH M33RINOES And French Thibett Cloths, at very low prices. BLACK COBURGS And Alpacas, also under value. A VERY CHEAP LOT Of New Corsets. A SPLENDID STOCK Of Gent's Clothing of every description, far under regular prices -JOB LOTS And Remnants cleared out at nominal prices. WHITE AND GREY CALICOES, Sheetings, Damask and Damask Cloths, Linens, and Furnishing Goods of the best description at clearing-out prices. THE STOCK Must and will be sold ; and as all kinds of Woollen and Cotton Goods are advancing considerably in England, Goods arriving in Auckland after this date will be much dearer. ALL THE NEW GOODS, . Ex Wild Duck, will be marked-off at prices to ensure a ready sale, R. H. preferring to do this than selling them by auction. N.B.—A CASE OF Weir's Celebrated Hand-sewing Machines, with all the latest improvements, at reduced prices. A CASE OF Ladies', Children's, and Maids' New and Choice Black Hats at prices at which they will soon sell. Also a New and Choice lot of Boys Caps. A LARGE LOT OF Children's and Girls' Black Cloth and Velveteen Jackets for the Season, at Half-price. E. HOBBS, "WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, Upper Queen and Wakefikld streets.



T CATER (late Crombie's) ROYAL O • FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY, Queen street, Auckland, has much pleasure in inform ing 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 M.. C. 's late Manager, he feels warranted in stating that they will receive every civility and attention, as well as first-class and artistic portraits at his hands, and that no pains will be spared to give entire satis faction. J.C. begs to annoimce that his arrangements for taking Instantaneous Portraits of Children are now complete. r\LSON'S TOMATO SAUCE. The mmense success attending the introduction of this new local industry will alone testify to the high estimation in which it is held. During the last year the proprietor was scarcely able to supply the large demand, and has in consequence made extensive alterations and additions to his Factory, so as to be enabled to keep the market well supplied. No one who values health and appetite should be without a siipply of this really health-restoring and agreeable condiment. Sold'everywhere in Bottles with the name of.-H. OLSON on wrapper and stamped on bottle and per. Auckland, 10th February, 1872.



THORNTON, SMITH, & FIRTH'S WHOLES LE PRICES CURRENT: . ' . ' £. s. .d Fine Flour, Silk Dressed, "Crown Brand," per ton of 2,0001bs 17 0 0 Fine Flour, Silk Dressed, "TS&F Brand," per ton ".. .. .. ~ 15 0 0 Seconds, per ton .. .. .. .. 12 0 0 Sharps, per ton 7 0 0 Bran, per bushel of 201b. ... .. .. 0 10 Oats, per bushel 0 3 6 Auckland, April 25, 1872



■ [Advt.] COWAN'S CASE. To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib, —I find that there has been a great deal said about me, and very many unkind remarks hare been made, and many slurs cast even on my character. That I can afford to despise, as any of my neighbouro who have lived near me either at Mshuraugi or at fcj* Parnell could, and I am sure would, refute \ such a false and injurious slander. I have simply been a very unfortunate and hardly used woman. For two years before my unfortunate husband, Henry Cowan, was committed to the Lunatic Asylum I lived ia dread of my life, and if absent at any time was in the greatest dread for my children. No only his affliction (lunacy), but the constant indulgence in drink so augmented his malady that his fury and wilful destruction of the property terrified me so much that now he is again at large and drinkiag I dare not again attempt to live with him ; and how he is to live, and what he has to live on when he has destroyed the last remnant of property left in the. house I do not know. For myself I am afraid that all hopes of earning a living are past, as he has neither deserted me nor been unfaithful to me, but is only a drunken, raging man ; the law will give me no protection from him. Much has been said about the property he left. About that I will just plainly state the facts of the case:—Mr. Cowan had two farms at Mahurangi, but they were mortgaged for their full value. One of them had to be sold to pay the mortgage to reduce the interest. The other was retained, and the interest on it was £12 10s., which interest I paid as long as the Oddfellows paid me their sick money, which was at the rate of seventeen shillings per week. This amount per week wa3 paid me for about four years. After that they reduced the sick pay to 2s 6d per week, so I could not pay the interest any longer. I have had the half crown per week for something over thrae years, so it will be seen that instead of over £300 I have received less than £200, and that for seven years, for a womaa left with nine children, the eldest only then fifteen and the youngest not six; weeks, was no very large gum; Mr. Cowar, too, though he had left property, had left it very heavily in debt, and these debts I have cleared off so far a3 I could. Besides the land there were 15 head of cattle, seven of them died, and occasionally, whiltt the children were still young, I had to sell one to buy provisions; and I also sold cattle to the amount of £20, which amount I paid over to the mortgagee to help to reduce the interest. That farm still remains. It was long used as a brickyard, and my children, with the assistance of a brickmaker, to whom of course I had to pay wages, worked at the brick making after my husband went into the Asy» lum and-before, for he was to me long useless, destructive, and dangerous. We punted the bricks with the man's help, and put them on a wharf where the punted boat loaded them; myself and the children had to draw the firewood out of the bush to burn the bricks. This we continued till we could no longer get a price for them. Since then I have worked hard with such help as the children, could give me to support us all in decency, and it seems very hard that we should be turned out of our home, and live in dread our lives, after all our struggles and hard work. Perhap3 if my unhappy husband were not drunken something might be done, but as it is he is really not accountable, though called sane, and let loose amongst us ; and to him too the the law gives perfect freedom to do as he pleases with what I have got together by hard striving. I think this is a very hard case, and if you will kindly lay it before the public, as you have published all the statements on the other side, you will much oblige, . . Yours respectfully, . CaTHEBINB CO WAX