SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 7.17. HIGH WATER : This afternoon, 7.50.

STEAMER FOR THE THAMES.

Lady Bowcn, 8 o'clock this evening.

ARRIVALS.

H.M.S.S. Blanche, Montgomery, from Tauranga,

DEPARTURE.

Bella Mary, barque, for Hobart Town. Star of the South, s.s., for Napier. Keera, s.s., for Tauranga and Southern ports. Clyde, schooner, for "Wangarei. Comerang, p.s., for Russell. Saucy Lasss, schooner, for Russell. Meteor, schooner, for Poverty Bay.

ARRIVAL OF THE BLANCHE.

H.M.S.S. Blanche, Captain Montgomery, arrived m harboiir this morning from Tauranga and Southern ports. She bring 3no news of importance.

EXPORTS. Per s.s. Star of the South, for Chsborne and Napier, ex warehouse, under bond : 4 bales hops, J. S. Macfarlane. Duty paid : 22 pkgs. drapery, McArthur, Shera, and Co.; 9 ditto, Lewis Brothers; 8 tons iron pipes, MaseCeld ; 4 pkgs., M. Levy ; 91 sheep and 20 empty casks, A. Buckland ; 10 cases acid, Kempthorne; 10 cases acid, ditto ; 2 bales corks, ditto ; 9 pkgs. drapery, A. Clark and Son ; 4 cases groceries, Lewis Brothers ; 1 case, ditto. For Poverty Bay ; 5 casks arsenic, J. S. Sharland; 12 packages sashes, Holdship; 12 pkgs., 40 cases, and 2i casks, L. D. Nathan ard Co.; 20 pkgs., Owen and Graham ; 1 perambulator, Moutague. Per s.s. Keera, for Tauranga and Southern ports—Duty paid, 3 parcels, Upton and Co.; 1 case, Kernpthorne ; 1 horse, Turner ; 1 case, Trenwith ; 1 box, Clarke ; 2 chairs, Probert ; 1 bale, Lewis Bros. For Poverty Bay—l parcel, Upton & Co.; 1 case. Isaacs ; 3 bags bacon ; 1 ton flour and 8 bag 3 oats, Binney ; 1 truss and 2 cases, McArthur ; 1 parcel, Clarke; 1 pkg Hunter ; 3 cases, Lewis Bros. For Napier—l parcel Bank of New Zealand ; 12 case?, Tonka & Co; 12 coils rope and 13 bales Has, Close Bros.; 10 bundles staves, A. and Co. For "Wellington—l case, Combes, A. Co. For Lyttelton—B bundles sacks, Jakins & Co- Shipped at Thames for Tauranga —1 parcel. For Duuedin —35 casks, and 20 cases empty bottles, Must & Co.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydney and Melbourne: Hero, s.s., about the 13th inst. ; and City of Adelaide, 18th inst. For London : City of Auckland, ship, January 18. For Tauranga, Napier, and Southern ports : Taranaki,

s.s., Saturday. . For Honolulu : Nebraska, mail steamer, 25th inst. For Newcastle : Frowning Beauty, barque, Monday. For Samoa, via Tonga : Kenilworth, schooner, 23rd lust.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

H.M.S. Blanche, from Wellington Kapier, 3.a., from Napier Caduceua, ship from London, sailed October 13 Lady Franklin, barque, from Newcastle Ferndale, barque, from Liverpool, sailed September 15 Celestia, barque, from Newcastle Magellan Cloud, schooner, from Chatham Islands Amateur, schooner, from Lyttelton St. Mary, U.S. man-of-war, from Sydney Hero, U.S., from Sydney Naomi, ship, from London Alice Cameron, barque, from Sydney

The s.s. Star of the South took her departure this afternoon for Southern ports with the following passengers: Mr. Watt, Mr. Hardy, Captain Eead, and ten in the steerage. The s..s. Keera, Captain Carey, took her departure this afternoon for Southern ports with the following par sengers : Eight Rev. Bishop Croke, Mr. Beaferd, Miss Turner, Messrs. Turner, Bruce, Bishop, George, Hurtfall, Apetiama, Te Maro, McGregor, and Smith.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star Office, Thursday afternoon,

Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co. held to-day, at their stores, an extensive sale of fruit, etc. The following are the quotations :-20,000 oranges, 9d. per dozen ; 30 bundles bananas, 4d. per lb. ; 400 pines, 7s. per dozen ; 10 tuns lime juice, Is. per gallon ; 2 and a-half tuns cocoanut oil, L3O per tun ; cocoanuts, Bs. per 100.

' Messrs. S. Cochrane and Son held to-day at their auction rooms a sale of groceries, stout, &c; Also, a freehold estate at Coromandel. The following are the quotation :—Mauritius crystals, 4 11-16 d per lb. ; 20 half-chests tea, Is. Bd. per lb. ; 20 cases sardines (halfs) 11s. 9d. per dozen ; 13 cases (quarters), 6s. 9d. per doz ; salad oil (halfs), 7s. per doz ; 16 boxes white starch, 3d three-farthings ;20 casks Byass' stout. 6s. 4d. per dozen ; 20 casks Young's do, 6s. 3d. per dozen ; 6 bales merchant navy canvas, Is. per yard. Also, allotments at Coromandel: lot 1, 17s. per foot; lot 2, 16s. 6d.|; lot 3, 16s. ; lot I, 15s. ; lot 5, 18s ; lot 6, 10s. ; lot 16, os. The remainder of the allotments unsold.

MINING. The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below :— CALLS Occcidental .. ..010 Jan 13 Neptune .. .. ..009 Jan 17 Key of Tokatea ..003 Jan 18 Golden Calf .. ..010 Jan 20 Murphy's Hill .. ..003 Jan 20 Nolan's Candlelight ..010 Jan 21 Vulcan 0 6 0 Jan 24 Central Italy .. ..020 Jan 24 Sailor Prince .. ..010 Jan 25 English 0 0 6 Jan 27 Ked Queen .. ..006 Jan 29 Alburnia .• .. 013 6 Jan 30 Shotover 0 2 0 Feb 1 MEETINGS TO COME. Bank of Tokatea, Metropolitan Hotel, Auckland, January 13 Hazelbank, company's office, Auckland, January 14 South Lead, Grahamstown, January 15 Neptune, Coromandel, January 15th Overland Koute, Grahamstown, January 10 St. Lawrence, Grahamstown, January 16 Bank of New Zealand, Grahamstown, January 16 Belmont, Grahamstown, January 18 Durham Ox, Grahamstown, January 18 Crown Prince, Queen's Ferry Hotel, Auckland,

January 18 Matawai, company's office, Auckland, January 19 Morning Light, Grahamstown, January 19 Californian, Governor Bowen Hotel, Grahamstown,

January 19 Eoyal Oak, Coromandel, January 19 Virginia City, Grahamstown, January 22 Nil Desperandum, Coromandel, January 22 Morning Star, Grahamstown, January 23 Bed Queen, Mechanics' Institute, January 23 Lowland Lass, January 24 Kohinoor, Coromandel, January 24 Argo, Coromandel, January 25 Cyclops. Grahamstown, January 25 Una, Shortland, January 2G City of Boston, Grahamstown, January 26 Thames View, Mechanics', at 3 p.m.Jon January 30 Tiki, Coromandel, January 30 Emily Coromandel, January 31

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND-STREET.

Mails will Close as IXjider

For Thame«, this day, at 530 p.m.; .and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Kapanga, etc., per lloyal Alfred, to-morrow, at 11.30 a.m. For Mahurangi, Warkworth, Matakana, etc., per Lady Bowen, on Saturday the 13th instant, at 10 a.m. ' For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, per s.s. Tara naki, on Saturday at 9 a.m. S. B. Biss, Postmaster.

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

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1872.

Feoji another column it will be seen that a vacancy has occurred in the re presentation of Eodney Electoral Dis trict, in the House of Representatives ; and we have no hesitation in saying that general satisfaction will be afforded by the intimation that . Mr. John Sheehan has entered the lists. On

Jl_ vJ? y-. U-U.UI tAit. Xi-X t/^>4l V/W 1/ It/ XkJ greatly to be desired that every en couragement should be given to gentle men of education and ability, when they show a disposition to devote their talents to the service of the country ; but there is a special reason in this case, why any opposition to Mr. Sheehan would be exceedingly un gracious. Mr. Sheehan is a native of the colony and of the province. This may to some seem a small matter, but we hold that on the contrary it is deserving of the utmost consideration. We may speak as we will of the interest that we feel in the land of our adoption ; and abundant evidence is on record of the devotion that men may show for foreign countries, with whose institutions they have cast in their lot. But no one will question that there are peculiarities of affec tionate feeling and patriotic devo tion to one's native land, to which the mere sojourner must ever remain a stranger; and if there is anything at all in the declaration of a desire to serve the interests of the country, .and it is not wholly bunkum, we may expect that sincerity, if ever found, should be most likely to be found in the breast of one who is inseparably linked by the ties of birth, to the country he hopes to serve ; whose earliest • associations en twine themselves around its history ; and who, in considering any question bearing on the welfare of the country, must feel the influence of the tender but ennobling sentiment, " This is my own —my native land." Far be it from us to encourage any feeling of distinc tion between the native and the im migrant elements in colonial society ; but it is impossible to suppress a feel ing of interest in every manifestation of public spirit on the part of our native born population. We venture to say that any parent in the province look ing forward with interest, as a parent does, to the future of his own children, cannot be wholly indifferent to such a candidature as that of Mr Sheehan.

These perhaps are the sentimental aspects of the question; nevertheless they are deserving of consideration ; and we venture to say that they will be not among the least influential of the causes that will contribute to placing Mr Sheehan in the Greneral Assembly, as the representative elect for Eodney. As to the liberal and progressive views, the ability in public speaking, and the popular manner of Mr Sheehan, it is needless to speak. Suffice to say, that a young man who, at his time of life, has come to the van, and holds a seat in the Executive Government of his province, is destined to yet write his name in the history of his country. As we have said, any opposition to the candidature of Mr Sheehan would be ex ceedingly ungracious, and should, if attempted, be peremptorily put down by every one that wishes well to the country j and as Mr Sheehan is the first native-born who has had a seat in the Provincial Council, and has in that position shown what New Zealand can'

produce, we sincerely trust that, not grudgingly but with perfect unanimity, heAvill be afforded an opportunity of showing in a higher sphere, the abilities of which ho is unquestionably pos sessed.

Those pilferers and audacious thieves, the goats, have again been in trouble ; and, as it was found impossible to catch them, the police took other proceedings, and summoned their owners for allowing the predatory quadrupeds to nibble the bark of trees not in their lawful possession. Pour persons were accordingly mulct in sums which will make them wish thej. had made venison of their goats long ago. But, in the investigation of the charges against these predacious croppei'3 of green things, it cropped out that they had been generally imprisoned within the Barrack walls. Thereupon his Worship the sitting Magistrate spake out, and no doubt what he said will greatly relieve the wounded feelings of those cricketers who have been damaged by prominent parts coming into contact with the irregularities of the ground occasioned by the trampling of many feet. He remarked that the enclosure had now been established as a public recreation ground as well as an area for the practice of cricket; and that it ■sras simply a shame that it should be trampled and deitroyed by a herd of animals which had no right there. This being the case, he thought it necessary to inflict the full penalty.

"We are desired by Mr. Abel Fletcher, night soil contractor, to state that he will bo unable to attend to any business in his line until aboat the 14th of next month, having received intimation from the Town Clerk that the necessary lieeuco will not bo granted until that day. There are at least 70 to 80 resi dents that jfequiro his services at tho present time, but he ie unable for the reasons stated to comply with their requests until that date, lie wishes to convey his thanks to the Mayor and Corporation for entertaining his applica tion, and will endeavour to carry ou1; his con* tracts in an able and satisfactory manner.

The Resident Magistrate this morning, when giving judgment in a case brought bcforo him in the Police Court, in which tho defendant pleaded guilty, made some remarks as to the aggravation of guilt occasioned by defendants pleading not guilty when they must have been certain that the perpetration of the offence could easily have bsen proved against them. Not only was it likely that the attempt at perverting justice would lead to higher penalties, but tho costs were enormously increased in the event of the offence being proved. We would call the attention ofsmokerson the wharf to the vory dangerous practice of throw ing lighted matches, or allowing ignited tobacco to fall upon the wharf or between the crevices, during tho dry weather. Should a fire break out in consequence of one of these uuls, me anaiago uiiguL De loartul, if it extended to the shipping. There may be plenty of water at hand, but in tho event of a fire breaking out under the flooring of the whai'J, it is very doubtful if even one bucket would be forthcoming to enable anyone to assist in its extinction. The directors of the Una Company, accord ing to the Thames Advertiser, are taking steps to establish an "Accident Eelief Fund" amongst the workmen of the mine. The object is to embrace relief to a sufferer and his family after he has become convalescent, but too weak to be able to resume work. It is to be hoped the example will be followed in other mines.

The members of the Auckland Rowing Club had a meeting last evening, at which it was decided that tho gentlemen who had pulled against the Thames crew were strictly amateurs, became, according to their rules, "anyone was an amateur who did not earn his living by piling for hire with a pair of sculls." On this it was settled that ifthe Thames Committee refused to hand over tho prize, legal steps should be taken to enforce the payment. It WBS also agreed that the Club should givo a cup valued at £10 to the Regatta Committee as a prize in a pair-oared rase for all comers.

The inquest on the body of the late John Lees, who had for some time been employed as ticket-taker at the Theatre Royal, resulted in a verdict of death from natural causes feoing given, the evidence going distinctly to show that death had been occasioned by the rupture of one of the blood-vessels of the brain.

We learn from tbo Coromandel Mail that* from advices received by Captain Thomas thi 8 mail, respecting the old Kapanga mine, a large and powerful company iB formed in London, and will commence operations on a large scale almost immediately. This important work will give a grrat impetus to the adjoining valuable mines.

The Coromandel Mail says there is at the present moment a fine opening for building speculators. Houses are not to be rented for love or money, and it is not in the power of every one to erect dwellings fov themselves 1 There is no scarcity of building Bites, and a few two or three-roomod cottages would quietly find tenants at a rent remunerative to the builders.

There appears, after many delays and dis appointments some probability of the erection of a Church of England at the lower township, Coromandel.

A serious bush fire has occurred at Wan garei, doing damage to a large extent in destroying fences and other property belonging to Dr. Sissons. The fire is still raging.

The Auckland Licensed Victualler's Associ^ ation will hold a special meeting this evening at the Thames Hotel, at 7.30.

The Rev. C. M. Nelson, incumbent of St- Paul's Church, Auckland, was admitted on the 26th October by the University of Cam. bride to the degree of Master of Arts.

Tha building in course of erection at the Thames for a Mechanics' Institute, narrowly escaped being burnt down on Tuesday last, through a lighted match being carelessly thrown down amongst some shavings.

Things in Tasmania are in such a depressed state that the very thieves are reported to be leaving the colony. This ia a bad sign indeed

Another instance of carelessness in the use of matches occurred this morning. The full particulars are not yet to hand ; but we are j told that some careless laborer, after lighting his pipe, threw the burning fragment down and ignited a whole field of wheat be longing to Messrs. Low and Motion. The fire seems to have spread with a rapidity only to be accounted for by the extraordinary dry weather w& have lately experienced, and ultimately consumed a valuable stack of hay belonging to thit firm, valued at £100, and the paddock of wheat worth. £50.

Last evening Waymouth's bc>at building shed at Smales' Point was discovered to bo on fire. The fire vas promptly extinguished. It is believed to have been the act of an incen diary.

The Wellington Post says:-One of the latest ingeuious methods of avoiding the re ceipt Btamp duty has come under our notice. A gentleman, on being paid £50, was asked for a receipt. This he had no objection to give, but the outlay of twopence for the stamp, " A percentage, Sir, a heavy percentage upon my own hardly es-rned money," wa3 more than he could stand, so a difficulty checked th e passage of the money, mnch to the annoyance of the would»ba recipient. At length, sud denly bis face beamed as a bright thought struck him, and he gave a- receipt for 305., which was perfectly legal without a stamp, "in full settlement of all claims to date." He went homo happy in the thought o£ hav ing saved his coppers, and "done" the com** missioner."

By tho Coromandel Mail wo learn that the good return from the Specimen Hill claim at Wyndyardton iscausing groat excitement, and a rush has set in that locality. Several claims were pegged out last week on the supposed line of the gold, which the knowing say is bearing towards tho old Kapanga workings. The ownerß of the allotments are being eagerly sought after, that terms may be made with them for the working of tho claims.

Some pooplo who know tho locality well, among them Mr Brighton who has bo long resided in the neighbourhood as to hare become well acquainted with the formation of the district, are sanguine that the whole of the largo basin at tbo head of the Domain contains water sufficient to supply the whole of Auck land for many years to oome, and that by sink ing to a small depth, laying down proper drain pipes, and deepening tho reservoirs and the channel leading into thorn a few feet only, as much as required can bo procured at a small cost. Some experiments are now boing made, and Mr. Brighton ha» sunk several small shafts to from two to four feot below the oiiiting canal, and has invariably found abundance of water of the best description, the bottom being a kind of pipe»clay.

The first swimming match of the season will take place on Saturdpy, 26th instant, at tho Auckland Salt Water Baths.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

THE CALEDONIAN.—MINE MANAGER'S REPORT.

The following is a copy of a telegram received from the Mine Manager:—

" Jan. 11, 9,25 a.m.

"Took out 4 cwt. of good specimens from run last night, and still it looks well."

" S. E. RICHAEDS."

(FKOil OUR OVrX COEEESPOffDENT.)

Serious Accident at the Moanatairi Tramway.

New Discovery Reported at Upper Waiotahi.

Q-RAHAitsTOWN, 3 p.m

Andrew Riley met with a serious accident tliis morning on the Moana tairi tramway. Two waggons broke from the traction wire, and while Riley was endeavoring to stop them, the waggons capsized, breaking the knee-bone and injuring the back and wrist of Riley. He has been con veyed to the hospital-

A new discovery is reported at Upper Waiotahi. A reef over two feet thick has been cut, with good prospeccs.

THE SHARE MARKET.

j m lennox's bepobt.

Business in the sharemarkefc continues most inactive. My sales compriie—Caledonians, £50; Thames, £14 to £13 12s 6d; Tookoy shares ars offering at £17. Closing sellers— Caledonians, £52 10* ; Thames £14. Buyers —Caledonians, £50; Thames, £13 10s.

SUPREME COURT.

THIS DAY. Before His Honor Sir G. A. Arney, Chief Justice.

UNLAWFUL "WOUNDING.

A new jury having been empanelled in the case against James Saunders Gibbon, preferred by Munu Hori Grey, the investi gation was proceeded with, and the evidence which had been previously taken again gone over.

The examination of the witnesses was still in progress whon wo went to press.

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY. Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., E;M

DEUNKENNESS.

One person was punished in tho usual manner for this offence, besides getting some wholesome advice from his Worship.

ASSAULT

Michael Burke was brought up on warrant, charged by his wife, Elizabeth Burke, with assaulting her. Ordered to find two sureties for £25 each to keep the peace for three months, he himself oeing bound over in the sum of £50.

STEAY GOATS. J Penalgin, P Haslem, Anne McDer mott, and George Wadman were each fined 10s and costs for allowing goats to stray in the public thoroughfares.

BEEACH OF MUNICIPAL COBPOEATION ACT.

William Blewden pleaded not guilty to a charge of not keeping sufficient light burning at an excavation in Victoria street. He said he had employed a man to keep the lights burning, but the night in ques tion was very stormy, and the lights appeared to have gone out. His Worship said that the contractor himself was responsible and could not depute the custody of the lights to ; another. If any one's neck were broken by falling into _ the hole it would bo poor consolation to his friends to be told that a servant had been appointed to look after the proper protec tion. His Worship then read the clause of the Act compelling people to light all excavations made by them in the streets ; and defendant then pleaded guilty. To another charge of the same kind, he also pleaded guilty. From the testimony of the police, it appeared that the lights were merely candles and not calculated to burn much after daylight. His Worship thought that m the majority of cases, people offending against the law, in cases of this kind, ought to be warned by the police, for prevention was better than cure. Mr Inspector Broham said that many similar cases had been brought before the Court, and duly reported in the news papers, but no notice was taken. The Bench, therefore, fined defendant 20s for the first offence and 40s for the second. BEEACH OF LICENSING ACT. Robert Heyward, landlord of the Auck land Hotel, was charged with selling liquor on Sunday, the 7th instant, to a person not being a lodger or a bona fide traveller.

His Worship made some remarks as to tho inefficiency of the Licensing Act Amendment Act, which professed to amend the 38th clause, but leaving it rather dubious whether it was compulsory to either close or open public houses on tho Sunday. It would have been far better struck out, so that houses might have been kept open, and the police have had proper surveillance: Mr Joy for defendant pleaded guilty, but urged that the drink had been supplied by a servant in defendant's absence and against his orders, and at the urgent solicitation of one who was a regular customer. The Polico gavo tho house a good character, and in consideration of all tho circumstances, his Worship fined defen dant in the mitigated penalty of £5 and costs.

THE AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY

The usual quarterly meeting of this reverend court was held yesterday in St Andrew's church. Present: Eov Messrs T Norrie, Moderator (in the chair), E F Hill, D F Mackenzie Eldora—Messrs A Dingwall, J V Stephensou, R Somer villo, D Philp, and Thompson. The reading of a portion of the Holy Scriptures, and a prayer constituted the sederunt, after which the minutes of the two previous meetings were read and con firmed.

The following Eldera presented their commissions to represent the respective congregations at the sittings of the Pres bytery during the present year,which were accepted : —Mr Alexander Dingwall, St Andrew's congregation; Mr James V Stephenson, St James congregation; Mr David j Phi lp, Thames congregation; and Mr X Somerville, North Shore congre gation. The Rev D F Mackenzie explained to the Presbytery his conduct in reference to the North Shore church. After con siderable discussion a motion "was put by Mr Hill,"That underthecircumstancesMr Mackenzie's explanations be received as sufficient, but the -Presybtery enjoin that members will in future adhere to the usual forms of our church." This was seconded by Mr Dingwall, and after some further debate, carried.

Reports of collections were handed in and commented upon, and on the motion of Mr Stephenson, seconded by Mr Thompson, it was resolved, "That cards should be printed and placed in the various churches, setting forth the collections authorised to be made by the Presbytery and the General Assembly.

Mr Cosh intimated his intention of leaving Auckland for Hokitika before the end of the week, and the question of supply for St Andrew's church was dis cussed. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs MacNicol, McKenzie, and Ding wall, was appointed to make arrangements for supplying the pulpit, until the return of Mr Bruce, who was expected to arrive in about three weeks.

On the question of supply to Coroman dcl, the necessity of pulpit ministration in that district was discussed, and the wish of the Presbytery that Mr Hill should attend to its wants, as far as lay in his power until a permanent minister could be ap pointed, was embodied in a resolution and carried.

Mr Hill called attention to the erection of a church at Tararu which would be opened in about a month.

Eeferring to Mr. Brucc'smission.a letter had been received from Mr. Shepherd, of liawkes Bay, and the Chairman stated that he did not know whether the com mission from the General Assembly for Mr. Bruce to act as the representative for Hawkos Bay district in the courts of tho Church at home had been given to him, although he was aware that such appoint ment had taken place. This concluded the business, and the meeting closed with prayer.

A Frenchman has been killed on the sands at Boulogne-sur-Mer, in the pre sence ef many hundred spectators. He was a man of extraordinary strength, named Vigneron, agacl 45, and was known in most parts of Europe for his feats of strength, and particularly for lijting a cannon weighing 6001b. upou his shoulders and firing a full charge of gunpowder. He went through this performance on the sand with his usual success, but whilo in the act of lifting the cannon to lower it he slipped and fell. The whole weight of tho cannon fell on the face of the unfortunate man, splitting his skull completely in two. Death, of course, was instantaneous.

THE ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF RODNEY.

Feom our advertising columns it will be observed that H. W. Earn all, Esq., has, or is about to resign his seat in the General Assembly for the district of Rodney, having obtained an appointment in con nection with the immigration scheme of the General Government in Europe. Mr John Sheehan, the Gold-fields Secretary and member for the Northern Division in the Provincial Council, is a candidate for the vacant seat now created, having been persuaded to stand by a number of the most influential people of Auckland. "We have no doubt from the amount of support that he will be certain of obtaining at the various polling places of the district, that in case of a contest his return will be certain.

PRIDE OF TOKATEA

At a meeting of the Pride of Tokatea Gold Mining Company, Coromandel, held this morning, the directors declared a dividend of Is 6d per share, after leaving a good reserve to the credit of the com pany.

THE VOLUNTEER CHRONICLE.

The Volunteer Engineers assembled last evening for their usual weekly drill. There was a good attendance, and light infantry drill was gone through, after which a meeting of the company was held and a committee was selected to draw up rules in regard to the prizes to be shot for dur ing the last week of this month. These rules are to be submitted to the members for adoption after next Wednesday's parade. The general half-yearly meeting of the No 6 Company of the Auckland Rifle Volunteers will be held in the orderly room, Drill-shed to-morrow evening at the close of the parade. Election of a new committee and officers will take place and other business of importance is to be trans acted.

The half-yearly meeting of the City Company, No 6 Auckland Rifle Volunteers will take place to-morrow evening, at the Drill Shed.

THE "NONPAREIL,"

To the Editor of the Evening Stae. Sir, —In your leading article of last even ing, remarks have been made referring to myself, which are calculated to mislead the public as to my motives in agitating for the retirement of certain of the Non pareil Directors ; as you have stated the motives you suppose me to be actuated by, it is only fair that I should have an oppor tunity of correcting anything that is erroneous in that statement. As regards the vindication of my character from the aspersion cast upon it by your writing, I shall not take the trouble to do that; trust ing that I am sufficiently well known as a maa of honor and principle, not to require such a course. You ascribe my action in the matter to a desire to obtain a situation XVI a, i.dative urmluc, to -svliinK T urn ahlo to give a most unqualified denial, having no relatives in the province but a sister. As to my narrowly escaping being elected a director, that should not be a reason for attributing interested and factious opposi tion to me. I here most emphatically say that my reasons for endeavouring to re move certain directors were, that I consi sidered they were not doin ? their duty by the company's property. The action taken by them in reference to the Waitemata mine certainly called for severe censure, and shows that they were more desirous of increasing the value of that property than looking after the interests of the Nonpareil. It is known that some of the directors, in conjunction with the legal manager, purchased largely into the Waitemata ; and at the same time reports were circulated that a shot of gold was going into the Waitemata from the Nonpareil; and it was also rumoured abroad that an amalgamation wa3 on the tapis. This had the effect of bringing the Nonpareil shares from £7 10s. to £3 10s, This is known as a fact. I interpreted this as an attempt to raise the ralue of Waitemata shares (which it did from 2a 6d to 21s) and reduce the value of Nonpareils, so that the Waitemata could be amalgamated on terms decidedly un favourable to the Nonpareil. This I know to have been the opinion of a large number of the shareholders, who sold out at great loss in consequence. Those directors may attempt to disavow this, but the fact remains which they cannot contradict, viz, that they purchased largely into the Waitemata. If the Waitemata was a desirable acquisition, or an amalgamation would have been bene cial to the interests of the Nonpareil, the directors of the latter company would have done their duty if they had endeavored to purchase the Waitemata, which at that time was considered of com paratively little value. It would have been easy for them to have made an attempt to acquire the Waitemata claim and the machinery which was erected on it; the whole of which, I firmly believe, could at the time have been acquired for £1000. Instead of doing this, what was their action ? Why, they bought largely into the Waitemata on their own account, and allowed the Waitemata people to come into the Nonpareil workings and carry on their operations. I ask any un biassed individual does this look sus picious ? Was it like the action of direc tors studying the interest of the Nonpareil company ? I should say decidedly not. At the time of Mr Warmoll's departure for Melbourne, it was agreed amongst the directors that the shaft should be imme diately sunk, so as to enablo the opening out at a lower level to take place simul taneously with the finish of the upper block. For some reason the sinking of the shaft was delayed from three weeks to a month'; the consequence of which is that at present we are not receiving dividends, because the upper level is exhausted, and the lower level is not yet opened out. Remember the sink ing of the shaft was delayed at the same time that the Waitemata shares were bought, and the amalgamation spoken of ; and about the same time the working manager's salary was increased from L 6 to L 8 per week, he at the same timo having a house provided for him at the expense of the company. When all thoso circumstances happened, I, in con junction with a large body of the share holders, considered it necessary to call on the directors for an explanation of their

conduct; which they if they had been act ing rightly, should have hailed as a good opportunity to clear their character of sus picion. The reverse was their action, they treated myself and the rest of the holders with contempt, and were \ N ■* to avow that they would force *« amalgamation in spite of us. This the reason that prompted me and many other gentlemen who were dissatisfied to unite with Mr Scott, in trying to bring about a beneficial change in the manage ment of the company; and at the same time alter Eule 6 of the company, so that half of the directors should be forced to retire annually, though they would be eligible for re-election. _ This object was defeated, because we did not happen to hold a majority of the shareholders' proxies in our pockets. There were 159 share holders represented at the meeting, and it was necessary that there should be 19G ; only 37 short. There were 3854 shares represented, which was 1054 of a majority, showing that the company was equitably represented, if not legally. Mr Wrigley and the other directors held.a large number of proxies, which, added to those in the meeting, would have legally consti tuted the meeting, and have tested the question as to whether those directors possessed the confidence of the share holders. But when it was proposed to put it to the vote, Mr Wrigley retired from the meeting, and refused to vote or let any proxies he held be used, and none of the other directors tabled their proxies either; This prevented any business being done the first day. At the adjourned meeting, at 10 o'clock next morning, Mr "Wrigley deigned to come, knowing that a large number of the shareholders had been obliged to leave, which he saw would leave him in the majority. Of course, the re maining gentlemen saw through the dodge, and refused to assist him in constituting a meeting ; and what wonder if they ex pressed their feeling of disgust, by hooting those directors, who had behaved in such a cowardly and shabby manner. As to the imputation of forging proxies, maintained in your article, it is beneath my notice. _ GrEO. F-ENTON. [On the merits of the general question as between the contending parties, we do not, as we did not, enter ; but we shall afford space in our next issue for a reply. We only referred to the motives of the present aeitators ; and to our statements we adhere. We do not know what Mr Fenton understands by the term "relative," but we shall not quarrel about the meaning of words. The person for whom he wanted the situation was Mr Kelly, "his son-in»law'3 brother; and the failure of his suit to the new directors was the cause of his chagrin and his present zeal. Mr Fsnton is virtuously indignant at our reference to the proxies of the opposition. We shall therefore be precise ; and will Mr Fenton inform us if he did not himself by untruthful representa tions obtain the withdrawal of the " Mutual Mining Investment Company's proxy ? " and if Mr Fenton denies this, W6 are prepared to esta« blish it by affidavit. We would advise the agitators to shut up. Further agitation will only make the water muddier. Ttie publics know all about it.—Ed. E. S.]

A CAUTION.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sic, —Allow me throngh your medium to warn the public against one of the moat abominable traps (and that's many) that besets this city. I had occasion to come down the G-rafton road last evening, and, as you are aware, it was very dark. After passing Dr Philson's about 150 yards, I suddenly experienced the uncomfortable sensation of running butt against a thick furze hedge which ran across the road. I then got on the side path and proceeded a few yards, when down I went, I don't know how deep it is, but I seemed a long time about it; however, I am thankful to say I escaped unhurt, but that's owing in a great measure to a quantity of loose earth I fell on. I need scarcely say lam a stranger in the said locality or I might be aware of the pitfall, but other stranger 3 may be passing, come to grief and not get off so easily. If this should get the authorities to put some lights that people may know what danger is near, well and good ; if not the workmen may find a poor victim some morning with his neck broken. Yours, &c, A.A.

ALBERT BARRACKS.

To the Editor of the Evening Stae. Sib, —In passing through the Albert Bar racks this evening I was much surprised at the dangerous state of the ground, and unless the turf is replaced besides the post holes being properly filled, serious, or per haps fatal accidents will occur to some of our young men who take exercise there as runners, cricketers, or football players, and as the Caledonian games wore so great a success in a monetary sense, the small sum required to put the ground in the order it was before New Year's Day, should be cheerfully expended by the com mittee, now their attention has been called to the matter. I am, &c, Obsekyee.

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

Lord Lytton's splendid play of Eichelieu was produced last evening. Mr Morton Tavares appeared as Richelieu, and his rendering of the wily Cardinal was through out a masterpiece of acting. His reading of the part was admirable. Nothing could be better than his elocutionary em phasis, nothing more appropriate than the gestures and attitudes with which he ac companied the text. There was with Mr Tavares no deficiency of power. The k> plause was throughout the evening vary warm, and he was recalled before the f "\i tain at the end of nearly every act. j\as'' Surtees as Julie de Mortemar, performed the character with much grace and taste, and was rapturously applauded throughout. Mr B N Jones appealed advantageously as De Mauprat, while Mr Joyce made the most of a minor part. It is to be hoped that the management will reproduce this piece on another occasion. To-night Othello will be produced, the present ex cellent company being strengthened by the re-appearance of Mr Hoskins and Miss Florence Colville. The cast will include Mr Hoskins as Othello, Mr Tavares as lago, Miss Surtees as Pesdemona, and Miss Colville as Emelia, an array of talent that should not fail to draw a crowded house.

THE EVENING STAB, THTTftSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1872.

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NOTICE. EJ YATES begs to inform the residents • of Parnell and the public generally, that after the Ist day of January, 1872, the business now being carrried on by Mb Thomas Watees will be taken by him, when he trusts that by strict attention to business, keeping goods of the very best quality, and selling at a reasonable profit, to merit the same Bupport as his predecessor. IN retiring from the business which he has carried on successfully for so many years, the undersigned begs to return his sincere thanks to all those who have honored him ■with their patronage, and hopes that the same liberal support will be given to his successor (Me B J Yates), whose long experience in the Grocery trade will enable him to give the fullest satisfaction to all who may become customers of Jfl^ THOMAS WATERS. ; >X f



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